Research

My current focus is on the exploitation of genomic and post-genomic approaches for the development of improved control tools for human tuberculosis (TB), Bovine TB, Johne's disease. We employ a range of techniques from bacterial molecular genetics, host-pathogen-interaction studies, transcriptomics, and proteomics to address these questions.

Career

Jan 2008-present:                     Associate Professor, University College Dublin

May 1999 to Dec 2007:             Genetics Team Leader, TB Research, Veterinary Laboratories

                                                  Agency (VLA), Surrey, UK.

Dec 1995 to May 1999:             Wellcome Trust International Fellow, Institut Pasteur, Paris.

Feb 1995 to Nov 1995:              Wellcome Trust Junior Fellow, Dept. Microbiology &

                                                   Immunology, University of Leicester, UK.

1995: PhD                                  Wellcome Trust Proze Studentship, Dept. Microbiology &  

                                                   Immunology, University of Leicester, UK.

1990: BSc                                  Microbiology, (1^st class), NUI Galway, Ireland.

Awards/Prizes: 2000 VLA “Young Scientist of the Year”; 1996-1999 Wellcome Trust Travelling Fellowship; 1995 Wellcome Trust Junior Fellow; 1991-1994 Wellcome Trust Prize Student.

Current Committees, Advisory Panels, Editorial Boards:

March 2014-: Veterinary Council of Ireland

Sept 2013-: DAFM Scientific Advisory Committee on Animal Health and Welfare

Feb 2013-: Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, School of Veterinary Medicine

Editorial Boards: Microbiology-SGM (2014-); Tuberculosis (2012-)

Details of Relevant Research Funding