Susan Joyce

Dr Susan Joyce graduated with a B.Sc (joint hons) from Maynooth University in Biology & Mathematics and a research PhD in host-microbe interactions.  Awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship she examined cis and trans acting factors affecting mRNA synthesis and gene expression at the Ecole Normal Superieure, Paris including a stint at the Max Planck Institute, Berlin. Before coming to UCC, Dr Joyce was a scientist at the University of Bath, UK (Leverhulme, BBSRC funded) and at Trinity College Dublin. Susan Joyce (BSc, PhD, CM, PGCE) is Senior Lecturer at UCC, SEFS and a PI in the UCC Food Institute, SUSFERM and  at APC Microbiome Ireland. Her research interests are in metabolism particularly host and microbial metabolic interactions, influenced by food and other factors, that can impact health and disease. She leads a metabolomics focused research group, with expertise in diverse areas of host response through small molecule analysis (MS applications), cellular systems, gene expression and signalling readout, clinical interphase, microbial associations in terms of strain isolation, functional and phenotypic characterization including their metabolites and genetics. Areas currently under investigation include (1) metabolomic approach to identify novel biomarkers of microbial dietary ingredients in fermentation and (2) metabolomic signatures in deciphering health and ageing (3) specific microbial enzyme inhibition and applications to alter metabolomic signatures towards healthy weight gain. Susan is a recipient of DAFM, RI (SFI), HRB, EU, Industry funding. She was Vice Chair of Irish Mass Spectrometry Society for 2 years to May 2024. She is a member of The Metabolomics Society, Micro-Soc, Biochemical Society and American Society for Microbiology and currently contributes to 2 COST actions. She is a reviewer for local, national and international EU funding bodies. At UCC level she is an elected member to UCC IFUT and UCC Academic Council.  She also participates at SEFS College Council, she is a mentor panel member and she reviews social ethics (SREC) applications. 

My research focuses on elucidating the genetic and biochemical basis of host-microbe interactions, their regulation and outcomes. RESEARCH GROUP OVERVIEW: The Gut and its microbiota ( in health and disease) is shaped by diet, environment and gut microbial changes as well as by host genetics. The influence of these combined factors contributes to processes including gut development and homeostasis, immune function and local and systemic signalling in defining health outcomes. My group dissects how these different and combined factors can impact health, disease and longevity. The focus is on microbial host-metabolite and dietary modification that can impact the host (including drug uptake, adiposity, circadian rhythm, immune functions) with a particular emphasis on signalling processes to identity key areas for therapeutic approaches. We apply targeted and untargeted metabolomic approaches, animal models, cell systems and bacterial molecular and cellular biology to address our questions. We investigate and pursue:Mechanistic understanding of food enrichment for specific classes of microbes and their fitness to function. Understanding of the alternative lifestyles of microbes in the gut, what makes a commensal become a pathobiont? How microbial metabolism of diet and host produced factors reprogramme cell and metabolic processes. The interactions between food-microbes and their hosts towards disease and in maintaining health. Simply defining health, in the context of microbial functions and modification of metabolites to influence cell signalling processesDrugs and bugs - re-potentiating mechanisms

I teach within the areas of my research interests: Human, Cellular and Bacteria Metabolism. Signalling. Food-Microbe-Host interactions. Metabolites. Molecular biology and biochemistry of Metabolism. Translational Health and Genetics. Genetics and Gene regulation - human and microbial. My formal teaching is aligned to different formats: Formal lectures; small group learning (tutorials/workshops/practicals); On line CANVAS recordings and supports (student centered learning tools and assessments (ebooks), simulated practicals (Labster); flipped classrooms; smaller group discussions or breakout rooms  and particularly Research Led Teaching teaching includes 13 completed PhD, 3 completed MRes and >20 MSc Minor research students.  As director to the Research Masters in Biochemistry and Biosciences MRes Programme (2021-2025), I redeveloped and populated the Level 9 MRes programme (currently 13 students).  90% of MRes graduates have pursued PhDs. The programme was nominated for IRISH TIMES AWARD for programme Management.   Nominated twice for the Presidents Prize for Teaching, I was awarded an IRC Ally award for mentorship in 2022.