Research Profile

Harriet Schellekens

Biography

Dr. Harriët Schellekens is a Lecturer in the department of Anatomy & Neuroscience and a Principal Investigator with Food for Health Ireland (FHI) and within the APC Microbiome Institute. She received a PhD in Pharmacy from the University College Cork, Ireland and a MSc in Biology and Medical Biology (Hons) from the Radboud University in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. She was awarded a Marie Curie Host Fellowship for Transfer of Knowledge (TOK) in 2006. She has gained considerable experience in the pharmaceutical industry in research and development, lead development and optimization at Organon NV (Akzo Nobel), during a 5 year stint. In addition, she has worked at Eirx therapeutics where she has been contributing towards building a focused drug discovery capability. Dr. Harriet Schellekens returned to the academic settings in 2010 after which she has also worked as a lecturer and module coordinator in the School of Pharmacy, University College Cork. Dr. Schellekens has published several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters since her return to academia. Dr Schellekens is currently supervising 2 postdoctoral researchers, 5 PhD students, 2 MSc students, and 3 visiting BSc student from the Netherlands. Finally, she regularly supervises and mentors 4th year Pharmacy students.  

Research Interests

To date, Harriet's research interests have been focused on the neuronal circuitry underlying the complex relationship between stress, mood and food intake. In particular, her work has focused on the pharmacology of centrally expressed G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), neuropeptides and gut hormones within the microbiota-brain-gut axis, regulating the homeostatic control of food intake. In addition, these appetite and satiety signals also modulate the hedonic aspects of food intake and impact on stress-induced food reward behavior, which play a major role in the development of eating disorders, including obesity, binge-eating and addiction. Harriet is experienced in GPCR pharmacology, GPCR crosstalk and dimerization and has recently identified a novel heterodimer between two key GPCRs regulating feeding behavior, the GHS-R1a receptor and the 5-HT2C receptor, using in vitro and in vivo approaches (Schellekens et al., JBC, 2013). In addition, Harriet has established and runs a world-class cellular-based screening platform for the identification of novel bioactives that modulate appetite and satiety, mood and cognition. Moreover, she is interested in the effect of nutrition on synaptic plasticity and cognition and has recently set-up electrophysiological capabilities to investigate the impact of diet, metabolic risk and gut microbes on brain function. H-index: 10; Citations >362 (Google Scholar)

Awards & Achievements:

  • Awarded with a James A. Bain Young Scientist Travel Award ($4000) by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) to attend the 17th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP 2014) in Cape Town, South Africa, July,2014.
  • Recieved Bain Memorial Bursary Fund (GBP1000) from the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) to attend the the 17th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP 2014) in Cape Town, South Africa, July,2014.
  • Awarded with Best speaker Award (Third Prize) in Neuropharmacology division of The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), Boston, April 2013.
  • Awarded with the Experimental Biology Young Scientist Travel Award , Boston April 2013.
  • Accepted to the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Workshop on Neuropsychopharmacology for Young Scientists in Europe, 3 - 6 March 2011, Nice, France.
  • Awarded with the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Travel award 2010, and selected for publication in journal of European Neuropsychopharmacology.
  • Awarded European Behavioural Pharmacology Society bursary to attend workshop on 'Eating Behaviour and Obesity' on September 7-9, 2012 in Lecce, Italy.
  • Shortlisted for Roche Researcher of the Year Award 2012, PhD category, University College cork.
  • Shortlisted for Roche Researcher of the Year Award 2011, PhD category, University College cork.
  • Travel fellowship to The obese species, Erice, Italy, 2011.

Conferences and Symposia:

  • Organiser and chair of Symposia entitled: “The 5-HT2C receptor at the interface of obesity and addiction”, in the 11th International Society for Serotonin Research Meeting on July 9-11th 2014, Arabella, South Africa.
  • Chair person and organization of the Young Life Scientists' Symposium 2013 - Cell Signalling, 11th September 2013, University College Cork, Ireland.

Research Grants:

Enterprise Ireland; Grant#:TC2013-0001;

Food Health Ireland-Appetite Modulation (FHI)  

2013-2018

€371,011 (€739,807)

University College Cork


Strategic Research Fund (SRF)

Matching funds to SRF from FHI and APC

2014

€20,000

€13,000


College of Medicine and Health as well as School of Medicine

Translational Research Access Programme

(TRAP)

2014

€8,500

Recent Invited Presentations:

  • Cryan, J.F., Schellekens, H., Neuropeptide receptor heterodimerization at the interface of stress, mood and food reward, Neuropeptides, obesity and addiction, 27th European College of Neuropshychopharmacology Congress, Berlin, October 2014.
  • Schellekens, H., Cryan, J.F., Dimerization of G-protein coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in Appetite Regulation and Food Reward, 17th World Congress of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, Cape Town, South Africa, July 2014.
  • Schellekens, H., Cryan, J.F., Taking Two to Tango: A Role for 5-HT2C Receptor Heterodimerization in Food Intake and Reward, 11th International Society for Serotonin Research Meeting, Arabella, South Africa, 2014.
  • Schellekens, H., The brain-gut axis in appetite and satiety: Pharmaceutical versus natural bioactives as solutions in obesity, Nutrition, Nutraceutics, and Nutritional Supplements PhD short course, Graduate School in Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Italy, 2013.
  • Schellekens, H., McCarthy, T.M., Theeuwes, W.F., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F., Dimerization of G-protein coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in Appetite Regulation and Food Reward, Experimental Biology, Boston, USA, 2013. Awarded with 3rd best speaker in the Neuropharmacology division of The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). In addition, awarded with the Experimental Biology Young Scientist Travel Award 2013.
  • Schellekens, H., van Oeffelen, W.E.P.A., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.C., Promiscuous G-protein coupled Receptor (GPCR) Dimerisation in Appetite Regulation and Food Reward, The obese species, Erice, Italy, 2011. Awarded with Travel fellowship 2011.

Researchers:

  • Dr. Hamdy Shaban, Senior Postdoctoral Researcher, Food for Health Ireland (contract researcher).
  • Dr. Samantha Cushen, Research Dietitian, Food for Health Ireland (contract researcher).
  • Dr Elena Pastor Cavada, visting postdoctoral researcher from University of Seville, Spain.
  • Dalia Kandil, PhD student
  • Ken Howick, PhD student
  • Rory O'Connor, PhD student
  • Anna Connolly, MSc student
  • Surabhi Dasan Theratile, MSc student
  • Marcel van de Wouw, BSc student, Avans University, The Netherlands
  • Naomi Hoevenaars, BSc student, Avans University, The Netherlands

Research Grants

 ProjectFunding
Body
Start DateEnd DateAward
Food Health Ireland-Appetite Modulation (FHI)Enterprise Ireland01-SEP-1331-AUG-18€371,011.00
Phecomp Rodent System for automated analysis of compulsive food/liquid intake and locomotor activityUCC Strategic Research Fund€20,000.00
Neuroendocrine and Gut Microbiome Biomarkers in Pancreatic Cancer CachexiaUCC TRAP (Translational Research Access Programme)€8,500.00

Publications

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2013)'Ghrelin at the interface of obesity and reward'
Schellekens, H.,Dinan, T. G.,Cryan, J. F. (2013) 'Ghrelin at the interface of obesity and reward' In: Obesity, Vitamins & Hormones. USA: elsevier.   [Details]
(2014)'The Ghrelin Receptor: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Obesity'
Schellekens, H., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F (2014) 'The Ghrelin Receptor: A Novel Therapeutic Target for Obesity' In: J. Portelli and I. Smolders (eds). Central Functions of the Ghrelin Receptor. New York: Springer.   [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2013)'Milk protein hydrolysates activate 5-HT2C serotonin receptors: influence of the starting substrate and isolation of bioactive fractions'
Nongonierma, AB,Schellekens, H,Dinan, TG,Cryan, JF,FitzGerald, RJ (2013) 'Milk protein hydrolysates activate 5-HT2C serotonin receptors: influence of the starting substrate and isolation of bioactive fractions'. Food & Function, 4 :728-737 [DOI] [Details]
(2012)'Dynamic 5-HT2C Receptor Editing in a Mouse Model of Obesity'
Schellekens, H,Clarke, G,Jeffery, IB,Dinan, TG,Cryan, JF (2012) 'Dynamic 5-HT2C Receptor Editing in a Mouse Model of Obesity'. Plos One, 7 [DOI] [Details]
(2003)'Reactive nitrogen species block cell cycle re-entry through sustained production of hydrogen peroxide'
Yuan, Z.,Schellekens, H.,Warner, L.,Janssen-Heininger, Y.,Burch, P.,Heintz, N. H. (2003) 'Reactive nitrogen species block cell cycle re-entry through sustained production of hydrogen peroxide'. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol, 28 (66):705-12705   [Details]
(2010)'Lean mean fat reducing ghrelin machine: hypothalamic ghrelin and ghrelin receptors as therapeutic targets in obesity'
Schellekens, H; Dinan, TG; Cryan, JF; (2010) 'Lean mean fat reducing ghrelin machine: hypothalamic ghrelin and ghrelin receptors as therapeutic targets in obesity'. Neuropharmacology, 58 (1):2-16 [DOI] [Details]
(2013)'Semagacestat, a gamma-secretase inhibitor, activates the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS-R1a) receptor'
Schellekens, H,McNamara, O,Dinan, TG,McCarthy, JV,McGlacken, GP,Cryan, JF (2013) 'Semagacestat, a gamma-secretase inhibitor, activates the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS-R1a) receptor'. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 65 :528-538 [DOI] [Details]
(2011)'Is there altered sensitivity to ghrelin-receptor ligands in leptin-deficient mice?: importance of satiety state and time of day'
Finger, BC,Schellekens, H,Dinan, TG,Cryan, JF; (2011) 'Is there altered sensitivity to ghrelin-receptor ligands in leptin-deficient mice?: importance of satiety state and time of day'. Psychopharmacology, 216 :421-429 [DOI] [Details]
(2014)'A natural solution for obesity: Bioactives for the prevention and treatment of weight gain. A review'
Torres-Fuentes C, Schellekens H, Dinan TG, Cryan JF (2014) 'A natural solution for obesity: Bioactives for the prevention and treatment of weight gain. A review'. Nutritional Neuroscience, [DOI] [Details]
(2014)'Devil's Claw to suppress appetite--ghrelin receptor modulation potential of a Harpagophytum procumbens root extract'
Torres-Fuentes C, Theeuwes WF, McMullen MK, McMullen AK, Dinan TG, Cryan JF, Schellekens H (2014) 'Devil's Claw to suppress appetite--ghrelin receptor modulation potential of a Harpagophytum procumbens root extract'. Plos One, 9 (7) [DOI] [Details]
(2013)'Promiscuous dimerization of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) attenuates ghrelin-mediated signaling'
Schellekens H, van Oeffelen WE, Dinan TG, Cryan JF (2013) 'Promiscuous dimerization of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) attenuates ghrelin-mediated signaling'. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 288 (1):181-191 [DOI] [Details]
(2013)'Taking two to tango: a role for ghrelin receptor heterodimerization in stress and reward'
Schellekens H, Dinan TG, Cryan JF (2013) 'Taking two to tango: a role for ghrelin receptor heterodimerization in stress and reward'. Frontiers in neuroscience, 7 [DOI] [Details]
(2014)'Milk protein-derived peptides induce 5-HT2C-mediated satiety,in vivo'
Schellekens, H,Nongonierma, AB,Clarke, G,van Oeffelen, WEPA,FitzGerald, RJ,Dinan, TG,Cryan, JF (2014) 'Milk protein-derived peptides induce 5-HT2C-mediated satiety,in vivo'. International Dairy Journal, 38 :55-64 [DOI] [Details]
(2012)'Ghrelin signalling and obesity: at the interface of stress, mood and food reward'
Schellekens H, Finger BC, Dinan TG, Cryan JF (2012) 'Ghrelin signalling and obesity: at the interface of stress, mood and food reward'. Pharmacology & therapeutics, 135 (3):316-326 [DOI] [Details]
(2013)'Whey protein isolate counteracts the effects of a high-fat diet on energy intake and hypothalamic and adipose tissue expression of energy balance-related genes'
McAllan, L,Keane, D,Schellekens, H,Roche, HM,Korpela, R,Cryan, JF,Nilaweera, KN (2013) 'Whey protein isolate counteracts the effects of a high-fat diet on energy intake and hypothalamic and adipose tissue expression of energy balance-related genes'. British Journal of Nutrition, 110 :2114-2126 [DOI] [Details]
(2012)'Gender-dependent consequences of chronic olanzapine in the rat: effects on body weight, inflammatory, metabolic and microbiota parameters'
Davey KJ, O'Mahony SM, Schellekens H, O'Sullivan O, Bienenstock J, Cotter PD, Dinan TG, Cryan JF (2012) 'Gender-dependent consequences of chronic olanzapine in the rat: effects on body weight, inflammatory, metabolic and microbiota parameters'. Pharmacology, 221 (1):155-169 [DOI] [Details]

Conference Publications

 YearPublication
(2011)Science advisory board meeting, Food for Health Ireland, Hayfield manor,Cork, Ireland
van Oeffelen, W.E.P.A., Schellekens, H., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F. (2011) Targeting Obesity: Lentiviral-based Dopamine and Melanocortin Receptor Overexpression Science advisory board meeting, Food for Health Ireland, Hayfield manor,Cork, Ireland [Details]
(2014)The Physiological Society Topic Meeting, Obesity: A Physiological Perspective, Newcastle, UK
Torres-Fuentes, C., Theeuwes, Wessel F., McMullen, M., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F. and Schellekens, H (2014) A natural solution for Obesity - Devil´s Claw attenuates food intake via ghrelin receptor modulation The Physiological Society Topic Meeting, Obesity: A Physiological Perspective, Newcastle, UK [Details]
(2014)The Physiological Society Topic Meeting, Obesity: A Physiological Perspective, Newcastle, UK
Kandil,D.,Theeuwes, Wessel F.,Cryan, J.F. and Schellekens, H. (2014) Investigation of ghrelin and serotonin 2C receptor crosstalk on food intake The Physiological Society Topic Meeting, Obesity: A Physiological Perspective, Newcastle, UK [Details]
(2010)23rd European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Schellekens, H., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F. (2010) Increased Serotonin 2C Receptor Editing in a Mouse Model of Obesity 23rd European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress, Amsterdam, The Netherlands [Details]
(2011)Proceedings of the Annual Walsh Fellowship Conference
O’Brien, L., Schellekens, H., Dinan, T.G., Cryan J.F., Fitzgerald, G.F., Stanton, C. (2011) Enhancement of calcium bioavailability via milk bioactives Proceedings of the Annual Walsh Fellowship Conference [Details]
(2011)24th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress, Paris, France
Davey, K.J., O’Mahoney, S.M., Schellekens, H., O’Sullivan, O., Cotter, P.D., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F (2011) Olanzapine-Induced weight gain in the rat and effects on Inflammatory, Metabolic and Microbiota: Role of gender 24th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress, Paris, France [Details]
(2011)European College of Neuropsychopharmacology workshop on Neuropsychopharmacology for Young Scientists in Europe, Nice, France
Schellekens, H, Davey, K. J., O’Mahony S.M., Dinan, T.G., & Cryan, J.F (2011) Olanzapine-induced weight gain is associated with increased hypothalamic ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) expression European College of Neuropsychopharmacology workshop on Neuropsychopharmacology for Young Scientists in Europe, Nice, France [Details]
(2012)European Behavioural Pharmacology Society (EBPS) Workshop on Eating Behaviour and Obesity, Lecce, Italy
Schellekens, H., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F. (2012) Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) -mediated signalling is attenuated via heterodimerization with the serotonin 2C (5-HT2C) receptor: A potential role in food intake European Behavioural Pharmacology Society (EBPS) Workshop on Eating Behaviour and Obesity, Lecce, Italy [Details]
(2013)Young Life Scientists' Symposium 2013 - Cell Signalling, University College Cork, Ireland
van Oeffelen, W.E.P.A., Gijsbrechts, J.A., Clarijs, A.W.H.C, Schellekens, H., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F (2013) The role of ghrelin in fasting-induced changes in mood and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activation Young Life Scientists' Symposium 2013 - Cell Signalling, University College Cork, Ireland [Details]
(2007)UK Chromatin Conference, London and Edinburgh Chromatin Clubs, University of York, Jack Lyons Concert Hall, UK
Schellekens, H., Dijkema, R (2007) Role of Relevant cofactors in LXR pharmacology related to cholesterol efflux UK Chromatin Conference, London and Edinburgh Chromatin Clubs, University of York, Jack Lyons Concert Hall, UK [Details]
(2007)Marie Curie host Fellowship for Transfer of knowledge, University College Cork, Ireland
Schellekens, H., Finbarr, T.J.F (2007) The Establishment of a World Class European Apoptosis and AntiCancer Drug Discovery Capability Marie Curie host Fellowship for Transfer of knowledge, University College Cork, Ireland [Details]
(2009)Translational Health Research Conference, Neuroscience,in collaboration with: College of Medicine and Health, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Ireland
Schellekens, H., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F (2009) Establishment of a screening platform to identify novel milk-derived bio-actives capable of modulating the hypothalamic peptide system involved in satiety and the regulation of food intake Translational Health Research Conference, Neuroscience,in collaboration with: College of Medicine and Health, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, Ireland [Details]
(2010)Keystone symposia, Neuronal Control of Appetite, Metabolism and Weight (J4), Neurobiology, USA
Schellekens, H., Finger, B.C., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F (2010) Central serotonin receptor mRNA Expression and 5-HT2C Editing in a Mouse Model of Obesity Keystone symposia, Neuronal Control of Appetite, Metabolism and Weight (J4), Neurobiology, USA [Details]
(2011)Neuroscience Ireland, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland
Schellekens, H., van Oeffelen, W.E.P.A., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F. (2011) Promiscuous G-protein coupled Receptor (GPCR) Dimerisation in Appetite Regulation and Food Reward Neuroscience Ireland, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland [Details]
(2012)Serotonin Club Meeting Serotonin: a place in the sun, Faculty of Medicine Montpellier, France
Schellekens, H, Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F (2012) Functional crosstalk and heterodimerization of the 5-HT2C with the ghrelin (GHS-R1a) and the dopamine D1 receptor Serotonin Club Meeting Serotonin: a place in the sun, Faculty of Medicine Montpellier, France [Details]
(2013)Young Life Scientists' Symposium 2013 - Cell Signalling, University College Cork, Ireland
Triona McCarthy, T., Bruen, C., Schellekens, H., Cryan, J.F., Giblin, L. (2013) The citric acid cycle intermediate, 2,3 butanedione, increases GPR120 production and cell surface expression in vitro in STC-1 cells Young Life Scientists' Symposium 2013 - Cell Signalling, University College Cork, Ireland [Details]
(2013)Young Life Scientists' Symposium 2013 - Cell Signalling, University College Cork, Ireland
Amels, B., Cryan, J.F., Dinan, T., G., Schellekens, H., (2013) Modulation of the 5-HT2C receptor following exposure to soluble plant and herb extracts Young Life Scientists' Symposium 2013 - Cell Signalling, University College Cork, Ireland [Details]
(2013)Keystone symposia, Neuronal Control of Appetite, Metabolism and Weight (C6), Neurobiology, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Schellekens, H., McCarthy, T.M., Theeuwes, W.F., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F (2013) Dimerization of G-protein coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in Appetite Regulation and Food Reward Keystone symposia, Neuronal Control of Appetite, Metabolism and Weight (C6), Neurobiology, Banff, Alberta, Canada [Details]
(2013)European Congress on Obesity, Liverpool, UK
Bruen, C.M., Schellekens, H., Simpson, P., Cryan, J.F., Dinan, T.G., Giblin., L (2013) Identification and characterisation of a milk protein hydrolysate that increases satiety signalling in vitro and reduces feed intake in vivo European Congress on Obesity, Liverpool, UK [Details]
(2013)Young Life Scientists Conferenc-Cell Signallinge, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Torres, C., Theeuwes, W.F., McMullen, M.K., McMullen, A.K., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F., Schellekens, H., (2013) A natural solution for obesity- Devil’s Claw attenuates food intake via ghrelin receptor modulation Young Life Scientists Conferenc-Cell Signallinge, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland [Details]
(2014)European College of Neuropsychopharmacology workshop on Neuropsychopharmacology for Young Scientists in Europe, Nice, France
van Oeffelen, W.E.P.A., Scott, K.A., Crampton, S., Schellekens, H., Connolly, A., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F., (2014) The Effect of Ghrelin on the Interaction Between Appetite, Stress and Food Reward Seeking European College of Neuropsychopharmacology workshop on Neuropsychopharmacology for Young Scientists in Europe, Nice, France [Details]
(2014)17th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Cape Town, South Africa
Schellekens, H., Dinan, T.G., and Cryan, J.F (2014) Taking Two to Tango: A Role for heterodimerization of G-protein coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in Appetite Regulation and Food Reward 17th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Cape Town, South Africa [Details]
(2011)Neuroscience Ireland
Davey K.J., O'Mahony S.M., Schellekens H., O'Sullivan O., Bienenstock J., Cotter P.D., Dinan T.G. and Cryan J.F. (2011) Olanzapine-induced weight gain in the rat affects inflammatory, metabolic and microbiota parameters: role of gender Neuroscience Ireland [Details]
(2011)Obese Species
Davey K.J., O'Mahony S.M., Schellekens H., Cotter P.D., O'Sullivan O., Dinan T.G. and Cryan J.F. (2011) Drug Induced Weight Gain in the Rat: Metabolic, inflammatory, microbiota parameters and the role of gender Obese Species [Details]
(2011)European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Davey K.J., O'Mahony S.M., Schellekens H., O'Sullivan O., Cotter P.D., Dinan T.G. and Cryan J.F. (2011) Olanzapine-Induced Weight Gain and Metabolic Effects: possible role for the gut microbiota European College of Neuropsychopharmacology [Details]

Professional Activities

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics(ASPET) Member/
British Pharmacological Society Member/
European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) Young Investigators United Member Member/
European Behavioral Pharmacology Society Member/
The Anatomical Society Member/
Neuroscience Ireland Member/
Associate member European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Member01-JAN-11 / 31-DEC-13
International Society for Serotonin Research (formerly Serotonin Club) Member/

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2013)Young Life Scientists' Symposium,
H Schellekens (2013) Cell signalling. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Young Life Scientists' Symposium, Cork, Ireland . [Details]
(2014)27th European College of Neuropshychopharmacology Congress,
H Schellekens and JF Cryan (2014) Neuropeptide receptor heterodimerization at the interface of stress, mood and food reward, Neuropeptides, obesity and addiction. [Oral Presentation], 27th European College of Neuropshychopharmacology Congress, Berlin . [Details]
(2014)17th World Congress of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology,
H Schellekens and JF Cryan (2014) Dimerization of G-protein coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in Appetite Regulation and Food Reward. [Oral Presentation], 17th World Congress of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, Cape Tow, Africa . [Details]
(2011)The obese species,
H Schellekens, WEPA van Oeffelen, TG Dinan, JC Dinan (2011) Promiscuous G-protein coupled Receptor (GPCR) Dimerisation in Appetite Regulation and Food Reward. [Oral Presentation], The obese species, Erice, Italy . [Details]
(2013)Nutrition, Nutraceutics, and Nutritional Supplements PhD short course,
H Schellekens (2013) The brain-gut axis in appetite and satiety: Pharmaceutical versus natural bioactives as solutions in obesity. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], Nutrition, Nutraceutics, and Nutritional Supplements PhD short course, Graduate School in Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Italy . [Details]
(2013)Dimerization of G-protein coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in Appetite Regulation and Food Reward,
H. Schellekens, TM McCarthy, TG Dinan, JF Cryan (2013) Experimental Biology. [Oral Presentation], Dimerization of G-protein coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in Appetite Regulation and Food Reward, Boston, USA . [Details]
(2014)11th International Society for Serotonin Research Meeting,
H. Schellekens and JF Cryan (2014) Taking Two to Tango: A Role for 5-HT2C Receptor Heterodimerization in Food Intake and Reward. [Conference Organising Committee Member], 11th International Society for Serotonin Research Meeting, Arabella, South Africa . [Details]

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
University College Cork Lecturer01-SEP-14 /
University College Cork Senior Postdoctoral Researcher01-SEP-13 / 31-AUG-14
University College Cork Senior Scientists01-DEC-08 / 30-JUN-13
Organon NV, The Netherlands Research Scientist01-FEB-00 / 30-APR-06
University College Cork Parttime Lecturer01-SEP-12 / 31-MAR-13
Eirx Therapeutics Senior Scientists01-JUN-06 / 31-AUG-08

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
2000Avans Hogeschool Brabant, Breda, The Netherlands. BSCBiology and Medical Laboratory Research and Applications
2006Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands MScBiology and Medical Biology
2012University College Cork, School of Pharmacy PhDG-protein Coupled Receptor signaling in appetite and satiety: Focus on the ghrelin receptor 1a and the serotonin 2c receptor

Journal Activities

 JournalRoleTo / From
Nutrients Referee-
Journal Of Pharmacy And Pharmacology Referee-
British Journal Of Pharmacology Referee-
Psychopharmacology Referee-
Psychoneuroendocrinology Referee-
Neuropharmacology Referee-
Anatomical Sciences Education Referee-
Biological Psychiatry Referee-
Acs Chemical Neuroscience Referee-

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

Module Teaching (lectures and practicals):


Dr. Schellekens teaches and has taught a diverse range of topics (Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy, Pharmacy, Medicine) to various groups of students. Specific modules she has taught or coordinated are; Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience(AN4014), Human Nervous System (AN3012), Research Methodology in Neuroscience (AN3001), Developmental Neurobiology (AN4008), Foundations of Medicine, Neuroscience (FM2101), Neuropharmacology (PT4005), Advanced Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (PT3445), Introduction to Pharmacology (PT3001), Foundations of Medicine, Fundamentals of Therapy (FM3003), Fundamentals of Medicine IV , Neuroanatomy (GM2001), Neurobiology of disease (AN3013), and Master students in Clinical perscpectives of human disease (ML6002).


 
Supervision of undergraduate research projects:


Dr. Schellekens has supervised final year BSc Neuroscience laboratory research projects (AN4010), intercalated Medical degree research projects (AN4011), and library projects (AN3011) to BSc Neuroscience students. In addition, she has also supervised 4th year Pharmacy student projects. Moreover, each year she mentors B.Sc students for their final year project varying from 5 to 9 month durations from the Avans University, The Netherlands.


Teaching Qualification:


2013: Anatomy Training Program, Anatomical Society, Oxford, UK (ongoing)

2015: Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (scheduled)


Current Postgraduates students:

  • Dalia Kandil, Structured PhD student
  • Rory O'Connor, Structured PhD student
  • Ken Howick, Structured PhD student
  • Anna Cristina Connolly, Structured MSc student
  • Surabhi Dasan Theratile, Structured MSc student

Research Information

Internal Collaborators

 NameInstituteCountry
Dr Brendan Griffin School of Pharmacy, University College CorkIRELAND
Dr Gerard McGlacken Chemistry, University College CorkIRELAND
Dr Aoife Ryan Food & Nutritional Sciences, University College CorkIRELAND
Prof John Cryan University College Cork, Anatomy & NeuroscienceIRELAND

External Collaborators

 NameOrganisation / InstituteCountry
Dr L. Capuron Institut National de la Recherche AgronomiqueFRANCE
Dr Linda Giblin Teagasc, Moorepark, FermoyIRELAND
Dr M. McMullen School of Biosciences, University of WestminsterUNITED KINGDOM
Dr Catherine Stanton Teagasc, Moorepark, FermoyIRELAND
Dr M. Perello Neurophysiology, Multidisciplinary Institute of Cell BiologyARGENTINA

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University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

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