Laboratory Analyst

• Sep 2020 - Present

Postdoctoral Researcher

• Jan 2018 - Sep 2020

A US-Ireland funded project "Application of next generation sequencing for the identification of DNA based biomarkers in regulatory regions of the genome for susceptibility to bovine respiratory disease complex". Laboratory and bioinformatics techniques involved: RNA-Seq, small RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq, GWAS, qPCR.

Research Officer

• May 2016 - Dec 2017

Developing molecular biomarkers of early pregnancy in dairy cows: using qPCR (TaqMan and Sybr) to examine miRNA and mRNA gene candidate biomarkers in blood,performing proteomic and ELISA analyses’ to discover protein biomarkers in plasma and milk whey samples, statistical analysis of the results, bioinformatics analysis of label-free shotgun proteomic data, preparation of scientific reports, manuscripts, patents, animal licensing (HPRA, animal ethics) documents, conference proceedings, presentations, teaching and mentoring under-graduate and post-graduate students Show less

Ph.D. Student

• Mar 2013 - May 2016

My project was "Characterisation of dairy calf health and immunity, and development of novel pathogen diagnostics, using next generation sequencing techniques".Publications: Published six papers in peer reviewed international journals.Conference oral presentations: EAAP, Copenhagen, Agricultural Research Forum, Tullamore, AVTRW, Grange.Poster presentations at World Buriatrics Congress 2016, Dublin, EAAP 2016, Belfast, AVTRW, Grange, AVTRW, UCD, and Teagasc Beef and Sheep open days at Grange and Athenry, respectively.Research laboratory based techniques: Next generation sequencing library preparation for RNA-Seq and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing,Real-Time qPCR using both TaqMan® and SYBR® Green assays,Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),RNA/DNA/viral nucleic acid extraction.Computer based techniques: Bioinformatics analysis using FastQC, STAR, SAMtools, R bioconductor packages including EdgeR, GoSeq, qValue, Pathway/gene ontology analysis tools including Kegg, IPA, DAVID, InnateDB, Metagenomics analysis using MG Rast, Basespace,Primer design using primer-BLAST, Statistical analysis using SAS, GraphPad Prism 6, R,Report/presentation creation using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and GraphPad Prism. Show less

Grassland Laboratory Technician

• Nov 2012 - Mar 2013

Extensive use of Leco, Ankom, and Fibertec systems.Perform Organic Matter Digestibility tests, Acid Detergent Fibre tests, Neutral Detergent Fibre tests, Dry Matter and Ash tests and protein analysis.Make controls for above techniques and statistically work out acceptable limits.Participate in laboratory ring tests.Routinely use LIMS system.Regularly update the chemical inventory database.Attend seminars in Moorepark if relevant to analysis in the laboratory.Participated in a Laboratory Safety and Chemical Spills course. Show less

Farm Assistant

• Jan 1998 - Aug 2020

Herd, vaccinate, inject, feed, manage and move sheep and cattle. Assist with lambing and calving. Herd, vaccinate, inject, feed, manage and move sheep and cattle. Assist with lambing and calving.

Bar-tender

• Jun 2010 - Jun 2012

Served, managed and interacted with customers. Served, managed and interacted with customers.

Student Teacher

• Sep 2011 - May 2012

Taught first and second year science, first year mathematics, first year civic, social and political education and fifth year biology. Planned and delivered lessons based on subject curriculums. Prepared and developed various teaching aids. Organized and supervised students’ experiments in the laboratories. Discussed students’ academic performances and behavior with their parents at a parent-teacher meeting. Taught first and second year science, first year mathematics, first year civic, social and political education and fifth year biology. Planned and delivered lessons based on subject curriculums. Prepared and developed various teaching aids. Organized and supervised students’ experiments in the laboratories. Discussed students’ academic performances and behavior with their parents at a parent-teacher meeting.

Pharmacy Counter Assistant

• Apr 2005 - Sep 2011

Advised customers on beauty products and over the counter medicines. Ordered, stocked and merchandised pharmaceutical products. Performed administrative duties. Reconciled daily cash takings. Advised customers on beauty products and over the counter medicines. Ordered, stocked and merchandised pharmaceutical products. Performed administrative duties. Reconciled daily cash takings.