Staff Profiles

I have been pursuing research in the biomedical field for more than a decade including two years in pharmaceutical industry and two years career break (approved Maternity leave). I received research fellowships from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India to pursue a PhD degree at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, India. Since then I have worked in academic, industrial and translational research environments and I have been closely associated with the ongoing research in molecular mechanisms leading to cancer progression and development of novel therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment. I have developed a strong national and international research profile in the area of cancer, cellular stress and gene regulation (12 scientific communications, including 2 book chapters; 10 peer-reviewed research papers; 15 conference proceedings). My recent work received commendations from across the scientific community and featured in the local and national news. I have ongoing collaborations with established researchers across Ireland and abroad. Since my first postdoctoral appointment at NUI Galway, I have jointly supervised 15 undergraduate students, 4 M.Sc. and 5 Ph.D. students. In addition I have 5 years of formal teaching experience as part-time lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, NUI Galway. I was appointed as a Fixed-Term Lecturer in Physiology in January 2016. Since then I have focused towards developing my own research program. My current research focuses on the detection, prevention and management of neutropenia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy results in an obligate period of neutropenia, which leads to systemic infections resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, treatment failure and poor patient outcome. Also it poses a significant burden to the health services. I have combined my expertise and knowledge in the field of cellular stress responses and cancer with my knowledge of cell biology to develop a multi-disciplinary research program that aims to identify novel strategies of detecting and preventing neutrophil loss. I have set up collaborations with leading researchers in NUI Galway, in the diverse areas of biomedical engineering, stem cell biology and cell manufacturing. The combined knowledge and expertise has lead to the development of new innovative approaches that will make it possible to provide timely intervention to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy- induced neutropenia. The outcome of my research will directly impact the quality of life and treatment success in these patients and significantly reduce hospitalization and burden on the health services. I have received support in the form of intramural funding (≈10,000 euros) to pursue my research. This enabled me to generate preliminary data to support my research goals. I have been successful in obtaining promising results that provides “proof of concept” for my ideas. In addition based on these findings I have submitted an IDF application to the NUIG-TTO. My inter-disciplinary experience has facilitated my development as a professionally mature, independent and collaborative scientist. My multidisciplinary background combined with my collaborative links, my exemplary academic record, my innovative and independent thinking, all ensure that my research program will be carried out to the highest levels of academic excellence and is reflective of my ambition to pursue a research career that aims to translate bench side findings into benefits for the patient. To do this, I will build, and lead, a dynamic and energetic team of scientists at NUI, Galway.