Carmel holds a BSc and an MSc in Microbiology. She also holds a Higher Diploma in Education and a Certificate and Higher Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. On completion of her MSc she worked in Millipore Ireland BV. (now Merck-Millipore) in Carrigtwohill Co. Cork. She started as a QC analyst in a production area and over time was the company Microbiologist and a Quality Assurance Supervisor. The plant was a start-up plant so she was heavily involved in starting both the Chemistry and Microbiology laboratories in the facility. She was also a lead team member in obtaining the ISO9002 quality standard for the plant and the CE mark quality standard for one of the product lines. She moved from Industry to the Department of Microbiology in University College Cork to take up the position of Special teaching assistant. In this role she has responsibility for all undergraduate practical laboratory classes in the School of Microbiology. She liaises with the lecturing staff and technicians to prepare the manuals for the laboratory classes and with the technical/support staff coordinates the smooth running of the practical classes for all undergraduate programmes served by the School of Microbiology. She is also heavily involved in School Outreach activities for the School of Microbiology, coordinating the transition year work-experience programme in the School, open day activities, school visits and other outreach activities as required.                      

Whilst not involved directly in research group programmes Carmel facilities Msc and PhD students in both a supportive advisory educational role and a facilitator for their programme progression.

Laboratory practical skills

In addition to the Microbiology modules listed in the section below Carmel also delivers practical training in Microbiology on the following modules:

NU1040 Infection Prevention and Control for Nursing and Midwifery Practice

PF3444 Clinical Microbiology

FM2004 Foundations of Medicine: Mechanisms of Disease

GM1001 Fundamentals of Medicine I

MB1901 Introduction to Food and Industrial Microbiology

MB2005 Fundamentals of Microbiology

MB2555 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Microbiology

MB4001 Methods in Microbiology

MB3003 Food and Industrial Microbiology I

MB3993 Food and Industrial Microbiology 1