Dr. Tim Yeomans

Centre Manager

Dr Yeomans received his Degree in Industrial Biology from the Institute of Technology Carlow and subsequently completed his PhD in Microbiology at University College Cork. Dr Yeomans has previously held the position of Postdoctoral Fellow in the National Centre for Medical Genetics, Crumlin and the Dublin Dental School and Hospital. He has held various industrial based roles and more recently provided technical and commercial input as Laboratory and Research Manager for a contract research and development company. Dr Yeomans currently holds the position of Centre Manager with Shannon ABC. Within this role he is responsible for on-going engagement with industry, scientific direction of the Centre as well as commercialisation of research.

Dr. Shane O’Connell

Shannon ABC PI

Dr O’Connell received his Degree in Industrial Biochemistry from the University of Limerick (UL) and subsequently completed his PhD in Enzymology and Protein Biochemistry, also at UL. Dr. O’Connell completed a Diploma in Biomedical Science from the University of Ulster, Coleraine and currently holds the position of Strand Leader with Shannon ABC. He is responsible for the day to day running of the facilities in Tralee, provides scientific leadership and is central to the development of industrially relevant projects as well as technology transfer. Dr O’Connell specialises in enzyme biotechnology, recombinant protein production, screening organic waste for value added bioactives, and developing phenotype microarray technology for bioprocessing.

Dr. Patrick Murray

Shannon ABC PI

Senior Research Scientist of CHIMERA research group

Dr Murray received his Degree in Biochemistry from the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) and subsequently completed his PhD in Fungal glycobiotechnology, also at NUIG. Dr Murray currently holds the position of Senior Research Scientist of CHIMERA research group with Shannon ABC and is responsible for the day to day running of the facilities in Limerick. He provides scientific leadership and is central to the development of industrially relevant projects as well as technology transfer. While at NUIG, Dr Murray developed the molecular biology laboratory as part of the Molecular Glycobiotechnology Group, and has previously worked as a visiting scientist at Wallenberg Wood Biotechnology Centre and at VTT research centre in Finland. Dr Murray specialises in research targeting natural microorganisms as biological factories for bioconversion of second generation substrates for the production of bioethanol and biodiesel.

Dr. Michael Hall

Shannon ABC PI

Registrar (ITT)

Dr Michael Hall received his Degree in Biochemistry from the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), an MSc in Advanced Scientific Techniques from Cork Institute of Technology and completed his PhD in Endocrinology and Peptide Characterisation from NUIG. Dr Hall currently holds the position of Registrar of the Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT), having previously been a Lecturer in Biochemistry and Head of Department of Chemical and Life Sciences and Health and Leisure Studies. Dr Hall was responsible for the development of research thematic areas for Chemical and Life Sciences in IT Tralee and in the development and implementation of the Institute strategic plan and was thus central in the establishment of Shannon ABC. Dr Hall is also a Principal Investigator with Shannon ABC and has expertise in the areas of oestrogens, oxysterols and lipids in health; biological activities and value-added products from industrial by-produce.

Dr. Siobhan Moane

Shannon ABC PI

Head of Research and Technology Transfer (LIT)

Dr Siobhan Moane received her Degree in Analytical Science from the Dublin City University (DCU) and completed her PhD in Analytical Chemistry, also from DCU. Dr Moane has since completed a Certificate in Supervisory Management from the Irish Management Institute and a Diploma in Popular Forensic Psychology from Limerick Business School. Dr Moane currently holds the position of Head of Research and Technology Transfer at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), having previously been held a postdoctoral fellowship in the Toxicology Department in the State Laboratory, as well as the position of Biochemist at the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. Dr Moane is responsible for the implementation of the strategic research areas of LIT and support and development of the link between teaching and research, as well as the identification of technology transfer opportunities. Dr Moane is also a PI for research in the design, production and application of molecularly imprinted polymers to the analysis of drugs of abuse in biological specimens for forensic analysis and also in the development of novel analytical methods (HPLC, GC/MS) for the detection of drugs of abuse in addition to the detection of date-rape drug GHB in alcoholic beverages. Dr Moane’s provision of academic leadership for research activities in LIT was vital in her involvement in the establishment of Shannon ABC.

Dr. Daniel Walsh

Shannon ABC PI

Lecturer in Biosciences (LIT)

Dr Daniel Walsh received his Degree in Biochemistry from the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) and completed his PhD in Protein Biochemistry, also at NUIG. Dr Walsh is currently a Lecturer at Limerick Institute of Technology where he lectures in Biosciences, Bio-processing, Biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals, Biochemistry with Toxicology, Advanced and Special Topics, Food Science and Advanced Biochemistry. Dr Walsh is a protein biochemist with experience in the extraction, enrichment, purification, enzymatic hydrolysis, identification, physicochemical and functional characterisation of novel components and derivatives from diverse natural sources. He is a founding member of Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre and is also a member of the Institute of Food Science and Technology. Dr. Walsh is currently engaged in a variety of academic, national and industrial project collaborations.

Brendan McCarra

Shannon ABC PI

Lecturer in Biotechnology, Food Technology and Management systems (ITT)

Mr Brendan McCarra received his Degree in Biochemistry from the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) and completed his MSc in Biotechnology, also at NUIG. Mr McCarra is currently a Lecturer at the Institute of Technology, Tralee where he lectures in Biotechnology, Food Technology and Management systems. Mr McCarra has previously been employed at Quest International Group as a Project Manager with responsibility for optimization, automation and control of microbial fermentations in the production of natural flavours and industrial enzymes. Mr McCarra joined IT, Tralee in 1996 and leads the Yeast Research Group. In 2004 he was appointed Strategic Research Area (SRA) Leader at ITT in area of Natural Products & Environmental Management with responsibility for developing and leading this thematic area. This role enabled him to play a vital role in the establishment of Shannon ABC. Mr McCarra is a Principal Investigator with Shannon ABC and has expertise in the areas of Yeast, microbial Fermentation, Bioreactor technology, Natural product extraction using enzymes. In particular he specialises in the transformation of microbial (yeast) and agricultural biomass into natural value added food ingredients using environmentally friendly bioprocessing technologies, i.e fermentation and enzyme technology. Mr McCarra remains an advisor to industry in relation to biotechnology processes

Ms. Michelle McKeown-Bennett

Shannon ABC PI

Head Of Department, Applied Science (LIT)

Ms McKeon-Bennett received her Degree in Analytical Chemistry with Quality Assurance from Cork Institute of Technology and completed her MSc in Biochemistry and Enzymology in the University of Limerick; she is currently completing her Ph.D. thesis in Wetland Ecology and Hydroponics. Ms McKeon-Bennett currently holds the position of Head of Department of Applied Science at LIT with responsibility for all aspects of departmental functioning, strategic development and future growth. From September 2003 to August 2004 Ms. McKeon-Bennett was seconded to NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre (KSC) to work in collaboration with a number of specialist scientists including Dr. Gary Stutte on investigating the application of Sphagnum moss to Controlled Environment Life Sciences. Upon her return, she continued and developed the relationship with KSC by sending 3 science graduates each year to train as interns with Dr. Stutte and his fellow scientists. As a result of these students returning to Ireland with specialist training, Ms. McKeon-Bennett founded the CELLS Research Group to support & supervise them as postgraduates and secured funding from Enterprise Ireland for Environmental Growth Chambers identical to those in the Space Life Science Laboratory in KSC. Since taking up the post as Head of Department in 2005 she has overseen the development of 9 new undergraduate programmes across the five major disciplines within the Department and 1 postgraduate taught programme. Since 2009 she has acted as an Assessor for IRCSET on both the INSPIRE and EMBARK research grant programmes and an advisor to the IOTI on IRCSET funding.

Dr Tracey Larkin

Shannon ABC PI

Lecturer in Analytical science and Quality Management (LIT)

Dr Tracey Larkin is a B.Sc. Ph.D. Biochemistry graduate from the National University of Galway. Following her undergraduate study, Dr Larkin completed a post doctorate with the Life Science Dept. of the University of Limerick in the area of food biochemistry and modified atmosphere packaging. Dr Larkin then worked with Olympus Diagnostica in clinical research and development as a project/program manager for a number of years. Currently Dr Larkin is lecturing a range of subjects including Analytical Techniques and Quality Management. Dr Larkin’s current research focuses on analysis of antioxidants/bio-actives in foods and has an IRC funded project to investigate organic fruits and vegetables. Dr Larkin is also involved in sensory evaluation and is the service director for the Shannon ABC Sensory Evaluation Service. This service supports new product development, product improvement, benchmarking and quality-testing for SME’s.

Dr. Joanna Tierney

Postdoctoral Scientist (ITT)

Dr. Joanna Tierney received her Ph.D. in Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, from University College Dublin and is a Postdoctoral Fellow in research and development with the Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre. Her work with Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre is on the commercialising of phenotype microarrays for biopharmaceutical CHO cell production. Dr. Tierney has worked on national and international projects in both industry and research institutes with research experience encompassing the fields of cell biology, immunology, infection and disease and applications in biopharmaceutical, medicine and veterinary sciences. Previously, Dr. Tierney worked for Olympus Life Research GmbH in clinical assay research and development; as a postdoctoral fellow with the University of Wellington, New Zealand on autoimmunity; with Bioresearch Ireland on vaccine development; the Scottish Agricultural College Veterinary Services, in the area of parasitic helminths; and Capital Diagnostics, Scotland in disease diagnostics.

Dr. Sushanta Saha

Postdoctoral Scientist (LIT)

Dr Saha received his Degree in Botany from Gauhati University, India 1994. He also holds an MSc in Botany (1997), also from Gauhati University and a PhD in Microbiology (2004) from Department of Microbiology and National Facility for Marine Cyanobacteria; Bharathidasan University, India. Dr Saha has held a range of postdoctoral research positions in National Facility for Marine Cyanobacteria, India; Department of Biology, Texas A&M University and Division of Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology section, University of California. Dr Saha is currently holds the position of Microalgal Specialist with Shannon ABC and is applying his considerable experience in the area to the development of microalgal bioactive compounds.

Dr. Helena McMahon

Postdoctoral Scientist (ITT)

Dr McMahon received her Degree in Biomedical Science from University College Dublin and completed an MSc in Molecular Medicine at the Trinity College Dublin. Following this Dr McMahon also completed her PhD in Gene and Cellular Therapeutics from Trinity College Dublin. Dr McMahon currently holds the position of Postdoctoral Researcher with Shannon ABC and specialises in the pre-commercial evaluation of algal derived pre-biotic poly and oligosaccharides using phenotypic microarray analysis screening. She is also experienced in the development of gene therapeutics utilising RNAi technology and human stem cell culture, development of gene delivery technology and transcriptomics.

Catherine Collins

Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr Collins received her Degree in Biochemistry from the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) and completed her PhD in Molecular Biology, also at NUIG. Dr Collins has previously held Postdoctoral Researcher roles with the University of Exeter, NUIG, University of Bristol and University College Cork. More recently, Dr Collins was awarded the position of Postdoctoral Researcher with Shannon ABC and will being her skills in molecular biology, microbiology, immunology and biochemistry to this role which is as part of an FP7 research project (BAMMBO) being co-ordinated and delivered by the Shannon ABC researchers in LIT

Dr. Srinivasan Krishnamoorthy

Postdoctoral Scientist (ITT)

Dr Srinivasan received his BSc Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Madras, India and completed an MSc in Applied Microbiology at Periyar University, India. Following this Dr Srinivasan received his PhD in Applied Microbiology - Botany (Plant Pathology) from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Chennai, India.

Dr Srinivasan has previously worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the University of Torino and has brought his considerable experience in plant pathology and plant & fungal molecular biology to Shannon ABC where he is currently employed as Postdoctoral Fellow and has recently received an Irish Research Council Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) Grant Award.

Tanya Beletskaya

Scientific Research Assistant (ITT)

Dr Beletskaya received her Degree in Biology and Chemistry (specialization: Microbiology) from the Belarus State University, Belarus and completed her PhD in Biology at Belarus Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Belarus

Dr Beletskaya has previously held Research Scientist roles with Serosep (Biotech Diagnostics) and with Shannon ABC. More recently, Dr Beletskaya was awarded the position of Scientific Research Assistant with Shannon ABC and will bring her skills in molecular biology, microbiology, immunology and biochemistry to this role which is as part of an FP7 research project (BAMMBO) being co-ordinated and delivered by the Shannon ABC researchers in LIT.

Patrick Quille

Research Assistant (ITT)

Mr Quille received his Degree in Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds from University College Cork in 2007. He has since completed an MSc in Biotechnology in the Shannon ABC laboratories at IT Tralee on a project entitled: The preparation of an alginate with a hydrophobic moiety that retains its biocompatibility and immunosuppressive properties while remaining suitable for cellular encapsulation. He has previously worked in Astellas as a Process Technician and in Shannon ABC as a Biochemical Technician. He currently holds the role of Research Assistant with Shannon ABC and is developing a commercial focus to the use of bioassays in the assessment of different components of seaweed and the impact of seasonality

Nahidul Islam

PhD Student (ITT)

Mr Islam received his Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2005. He has since completed an MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, also at the University of Dhaka and an MSc by research in the Shannon ABC laboratories at IT Tralee on the topic of: “Characterization of immune-stimulatory proteins in salvaged blood”. He has previously worked as a Research Fellow in the Biomedical Research Group in the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine, and Metabolic Disorders and as Research Associate in orthopaedic research in the University of Bristol. He is currently studying for a PhD as a continuation from his research work on salvaged blood.

Asim Zubair

PhD Student (ITT)

Mr Zubair received his Degree in Biotechnology from Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, India in 2006. In 2008, he commenced an MSc under Dr. Shane O Connell. Subsequently, in 2010, he successfully completed his transfer from MSc to PhD and is currently pursuing his PhD on the topic of “Molecular Evolution of β-galactosidase for potent GOS synthesis”. This project involves protein extraction, purification and bioengineering. His work focuses on expressing and purifying a β-galactosidase enzyme with improved transgalactosylation activity. He has previously worked as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Bioengineering, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland on the scaling up of expression of engineered Virus Like Particles (VLP) to enable the transfer from laboratory to manufacture.

Rachel Tobin

PhD Student (LIT)

Rachel Tobin received her BSc. (Hons) in Bio-analysis and Biotechnology from Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) in 2010 and is currently working towards her PhD entitled: Organic Vs. Conventional Fruits and Vegetables: A Bio-fingerprint. Rachel has expertise in the quantitative analysis and metabolomic analysis of antioxidants and other bio-active compounds in foods using LCMS/MS. She is also trained in sensory analysis techniques by Leatherhead Food Research Group (UK) and has assisted in the set up of the Shannon ABC Sensory Evaluation Center. Rachel has written a review on the Irish organic food market and the need for research (2011), and has published data on the sensory evaluation of organic vs. conventional fruits and vegetables (2012).

Aisling Flanagan

PhD Student (LIT)

Born and raised in Limerick, Aisling began her undergraduate course in Pharmaceutical and Forensic Analysis (Level 8) in 2003 in Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT). Prior to completion, Aisling studied and trained in a diverse range of scientific theory and practice. This included undertaking a six-month work placement in Somerset, England, with Swallowfield PLC, a cosmetics manufacturer, where she was responsible for day-to-day microbial analysis, as well as a cleaning validation project of the manufacturing tanks. Aisling’s final year project was on the assessment of Solid Phase Extraction cartridges and a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) column for the separation of cocaine metabolites; giving her an appreciation for chromatographic and separation techniques. Upon graduating in 2007, Aisling worked for GxP Systems, based in Boston Scientific in Galway, as a software validation engineer, giving her a solid, practical foundation in good documentation practices, and validation techniques. Aisling was then selected for a government-sponsored internship with Dynamac Corp., a NASA contractor, in the Space Life Sciences Lab (SLSL) in Kennedy Space Center, Florida. During this time, Aisling was exposed to areas of life science, including Advanced Life Support (ALS) research and plant science. Returning from this six-month internship, with the support of LIT and Dynamac Corp., Aisling was awarded an IRCSET (Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering & Technology) grant under the Enterprise Partnership Scheme; both IRCSET and Dynamac Corp. co-funding her postgraduate research project entitled; “The assessment of evolved volatile organic compounds as an indication of sphagnum health and biomolecular content”. As part of this research, Aisling again travelled to the SLSL, this time for one year, to improve her research skills, availing of the resources, both intellectual and equipment-based, available there. Having up-skilled in the areas of controlled environment growth chambers and hydroponic growing, Aisling is now continuing her research at the CELLS research centre. Aisling is hoping to graduate in 2013.

Catherina O'Keeffe

PhD Student (LIT)

Ms O’Keeffe completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with first class honours in Chemical Instrumentation and Analytical Methods in 2006 and was awarded the AIB Award for Excellence. She was chosen for a government assisted internship and was one of twenty people chosen throughout Ireland for a 6 month internship and was based at the Space Life Sciences Laboratory at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. During her 6 months she assisted leading NASA scientists in the development of new air revitalisation systems for use on-board shuttle missions. On completion of this internship she was employed by Temmler Ireland, a leading German-based pharmaceutical company for two and a half years where she was responsible for the testing of pharmaceuticals and environmental monitoring for the company. In October 2009, she was granted an IRCSET scholarship and began a PhD in the area of biotechnology and life sciences, specialising in the extraction and characterisation of high value products from plant sources under the supervision of Mrs Michelle McKeon-Bennett and Dr. Gary Stutte. During the course of her study she returned to the Kennedy Space Centre for further specialised training in controlled environments and is now hoping to finish her PhD with the CELLS Research Group in Shannon ABC at LIT in 2013.

Dean Meagher

PhD Student (LIT)

Mr Meagher received his degree in Chemical Instrumentation and Analysis from Limerick Institute of Technology in 2011. During his four year degree Dean studied in dept different instruments used in chemical analysis. These instruments included HPLC/MS, GC, UV, IR, FAAS, and Graphite Furnace. After finishing his degree he went on to do his MSc with the Controlled Environment Laboratory for Life Sciences (CELLS) as part of the Shannon ABC. During his first six months Dean had the privilege to work in the Space Life Science Labs in Kennedy Space Centre Florida. The internship lasted six months and provided him with the essential skills to continue his MSc in LIT. His MSc is focusing on Volatile Organic Compounds polluting the air we breathe. He is currently developing methods to enhance air quality by using various adsorbents to scrub the air, which will be beneficial to human health.

Lisa Connole

PhD Student (LIT)

Lisa graduated from LIT in 2008 with a First Class Honours degree in Bioanalysis & Biotechnology. Following this, she was awarded a prestigious internship at the Space Life Sciences Laboratory at Kennedy Space Centre. Her time here was divided between two diverse research projects. Under the guidance of Dr. Gary W. Stutte Lisa took part in a hydroponics study entitled “Defining Sustainable Salad Crop Production for Lunar Surface”. This involved the optimisation of several vegetable growth systems in controlled environment chambers, tailored towards a lunar atmosphere. The second project was led by Dr Jay Garland and Ms Mary Hummerick, and was of microbiological descent. This study, titled “Microbiological Analysis of Vegetable Production Units for Space Grown Crops”. This project replicated the plant growth conditions on-board the ISS and aimed to investigate appropriate measures to reduce the microbial count of space grown crops. In 2009 Lisa was employed by ALS Food & Pharmaceutical, Clonmel as a Quality Control Technician. She returned to LIT in 2010 to pursue a PhD with CELLS, SABC. Her current research is focused on the optimisation of growth parameters of plants with subsequent extraction of bioactive compounds.

Martin Hayes

PhD Student (LIT)

Mr Hayes received his Degree in Bioanalysis and Biotechnology from the Limerick Institute of Technology (2011). He received six months training in microbiology and hydroponics at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, Florida as part of an internship programme (2011). He is currently conducting post graduate research at Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre. His research focuses on the study of plant/microbial interactions, and aims to increase the yield of ecologically important crops.

Pamela Brennan

PhD Student (LIT)

Pamela completed her Certificate in General Nursing in 1999 in St. James’s Hospital Dublin. She subsequently spent time in Australia working in a variety of settings both in the public and private sector. She worked in a regional hospital in Western Australia providing care to the local Aboriginal community. In 2004 Pamela completed a Higher Diploma in Nursing (Ear, Nose & Throat). She was awarded a Distinction and Silver Medal for Best Overall Achievement both of which were presented by President McAleese. Pamela then completed her BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical and Forensic Analysis in Limerick Institute of Technology in 2011 and is currently undertaking her MSc in the identification of bioactive compounds in plants. Pamela is a reliable professional with the ability to utilise a problem solving approach to a continuously changing environment. She is an organised and efficient member of a team environment and has the ability to be autonomous.

Peter Downey

PhD Student (LIT)

Peter Downey, a Limerick City resident, began his undergraduate degree in Forensic and Pharmaceutical Analysis in 2003 at the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT). During this four-year period, Peter studied and trained in a wide range of chemical and instrumentation theories and practices. Within this time he also spent six months working with GxP Systems, a contractor for Boston Scientific, Galway, as a computer systems validation engineers and technical writer. This oppertunity gave him invaluable experience with good documentation practices and validation techniques.

After graduating in 2007, Peter returned to GxP Systems as a validation engineer for four months before being selected for a six month government sponsored internship with Dynamac Corporation; at that time a contractor for NASA based at the Space Life Science Laboratory (SLSL) in NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida. During these six months Peter worked on two projects concerned with Advanced Life Support (ALS) systems. The first investigated the action of Fava bean stomata when exposed to super-elevated levels of carbon dioxide and the role of hormonal action during this exposure. The second involved the investigation of a new IR technique (Encoded Photometric Infrared) for volatile organic compound (VOC) determination in air - for specific use onboard the International Space Station.

On his return from the internship, Peter was awarded an IRCSET grant under the Enterprise Partnership Scheme; in partnership with Dynamac Corporation, which allowed him to begin is postgraduate studies in LIT in 2008. Six months after beginning his PhD at LIT, Peter was awarded another opportunity to travel to the SLSL in Florida for a year in order to intensify and improve his controlled environment systems (CES) training and research skills. While there Peter worked under the guidance of Dr. Lanfang Levine and was responsible for projects, as part of his PhD, which investigated the effects of gravity on bioactive compounds in soybean and brassicas.

Having up-skilled in areas prevalent to his research, Peter returned to LIT and became one of a group of postgraduates that formed a new, dedicated research group with LIT’s Department of Applied Sciences, the CELLS Research Group. Peter is now finishing his PhD within the CELLS research group at the Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre within LIT. He is hoping to graduate in 2013

Stacey Shine

PhD Student (LIT)

Stacey Shine from Limerick, completed her under graduate degree from Limerick Institute of Technology in 2011, where she studied Pharmaceutical and Forensic Analysis (Level 8). During the course of her studies she gained valuable knowledge and skills in a diverse range of scientific practices. Prior to the completion of her Bachelors Degree, Stacey undertook a six month internship in Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2010. During her time at AFBI Stacey carried out studies on the flavour pre-cursors of chicken, which involved the analysis of various sugars, ribonucleotides and amino acids by High Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography (HPAE), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC). In October 2011 Stacey was selected to undergo a six month internship in the Space Life Sciences Laboratory (SLSL), in the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida. Here, under the supervision of Dr. Lanfang Levine, Stacey carried out analysis on the Aronia Berry investigating its Antioxidant Capacity and Anthocyanin content by HPLC. Stacey is currently continuing her research with Controlled Environment Laboratory for Life Sciences (CELLS) and Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre (Shannon ABC) under the supervision of Dr. Michael Geary.

Bilal Aslam

MSc Student (ITT)

Mr Bilal Aslam was recently awarded the position of MSc researcher with Shannon ABC. He received his Degree in Biotechnology from the Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) and completed his BSc (H) in Applied Biology with Quality Management, also at WIT. Bilal has previously worked as a Research Assistant at the centre of Microelectronics Application Integration in Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Ireland and has brought his skills in biocompatibility studies, surface characterisation, surface modification, biomaterials for tissue engineering, biomarkers for in vivo infection, biosensors and diagnostic devices to Shannon ABC where he is currently working on evaluation of chitosan: fucoidan: Hydroxyapatite tri composite for bone regeneration.

Alan Egan

MSc Student (ITT)

Mr Alan Egan received his Degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Limerick in 2004 and worked in the sector for four years. He has just completed his Degree in Pharmaceutical Analysis with Forensics from the Institute of Technology Tralee and is currently pursuing his MSc entitled: Strategy for Overcoming Platinum Chemoresistance in Prostate Cancer.

Alan is based in the laboratory at the South Campus of IT Tralee where he will use his extensive analytical experience along with his chemistry, instrumental and microbiology laboratory skills to assess the use of combinational drug therapies on prostate cancer cell lines.