Characterization of interactions between MSC and Th17 T-cells in the context of acute tissue injury (primarily kidney).
Researcher in
Pro-inflammatory T-helper 17 (Th17) cells accumulate in the kidney and are activated by intra-renal dendritic cells (DCs) early after acute kidney injury (AKI). The goals of the project are to increase understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying immune-mediated kidney injury and to reveal novel therapeutic targets for renal failure prevention in particular the potential for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to inhibit Th17 activation when administered during the course of AKI.
The main goal of my project is to characterise the interactions between mesenchymal stem cells and Th17 T-cells in the context of acute tissue injury primarily kidney.
2008-present
PhD Student
Immunology & Transplant Biology Group, REMEDI
Mesenchymal stem cells and Th-17 cells
2007
Laboratory Assistant
Office of Environmental Assessment- Environmental Protection Agency
Microbiological/Chemical analysis of blue-flag beach waters
2004-2008
BSc. (Hons) Microbiology
NUI Galway
• Irish Society for Immunology conference 2009 - 1st prize for student poster presentation.
• Irish Cytometry Society conference 2009 - 1st prize for oral presentation.
• Irish Society for Immunology 25th anniversary symposium 2010 - Joint 1st prize for oral presentation.
• REMEDI Ph.D. research day March 2010 & September 2010 - 1st prize for oral presentation.
• Irish Society for Immunology conference 10-11 September 2009 Dublin, Ireland - Poster presentation entitled “Marrow stromal cells potently inhibit the primary induction of T-helper 17 cells through cell-cell contact”.
• Irish Cytometry Society conference 17-18 November 2009 Dublin, Ireland - Oral presentation entitled “Marrow stromal cells potently inhibit the primary induction of T-helper 17 cells through cell-cell contact”.
• National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science representative for the National University of Ireland, Galway’s Science Speak competition 12 April 2010 – Oral presentation entitled “Extinguishing inflammation with mesenchymal stem cells”.
• American Transplant Congress 1-5 May 2010 San Diego, California, USA – Poster presentation entitled “Mesenchymal stromal cells potently inhibit the primary induction of T-helper 17 cells through cell-cell contact”.
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society EU meeting 13-17 June 2010 Galway, Ireland - Oral presentation entitled “Marrow stromal cells potently inhibit the primary induction of T-helper 17 cells through cell-cell contact”.
• Irish Society for Immunology 25th anniversary symposium 15 October 2010 - Oral presentation entitled “Inhibition of T-helper 17 induction by mesenchymal stromal cells is induced by cell-cell contact through prostaglandin E2 via EP4 receptor”.
• American Society Nephrology 16-21 November 2010 Denver, Colorado, USA – Poster presentation entitled “Mesenchymal stromal cells suppress primary T-helper 17 (Th17) differentiation as well as re-activation of Th17 cells from injured kidney”.
Professional interests: Immunology, regenerative medicine, microbiology
Personal interests: Gaelic football, travelling, reading.
