A graduate of UCC (B.Sc. Zoology), I undertook my Ph.D at the Department of Zoology (UCC), from 1997-2001 on the population genetics of squid in European waters. I have since worked in the role of post-doctoral researcher on a broad range of species (fish, shellfish, birds, mammals and plants). I am currently a Senior Technical Officer at BEES, supporting research and teaching in the area of molecular biology and genetics across the school. I act as Laboratory Co-ordinator for four laboratory facilities with BEES, overseeing equipment procurement and maintenance as well as training students and staff in molecular biology techniques. My technical expertise is in the area of molecular biology, specific skills include; DNA/RNA extraction and quantification, PCR, qPCR, DNA sequencing, microsatellite/SNP genotyping, primer design. I have experience in the application of these techniques to population genetics, pedigree and parentage analysis, molecular scatology, disease surveillance, monitoring of invasive species, eDNA studies and forensic species identification, in animals, plants and microbes.

My specific research interests lie in the development and application of genetic techniques to resolve population structure, phylogenetic relationships, diet, migratory patterns and species behaviour, primarily in fish, mammals and birds. I have been involved in over 40 research publications on a wide range of topics in over 20 species, most recently on Killer whales, Manx shearwaters and Cuckoo rays. Much of my post-doctoral career was spent working on salmonid fish and I remain actively involved in publications and research on these species.