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Staff Profiles

Dr Karen Doyle

B.Sc., Ph.D.

Contact Details

Lecturer Bar/College Lecturer
Dept. of Physiology
Quadrangle Building
NUI Galway

T: Ext. 3665
E: karen.doyle@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher

Biography

Dr Doyle is a Lecturer in Physiology and Principal Investigator. Her research involves studying neurovascular stress, the causes of neuronal loss and investigating novel strategies to protect brain tissue from damage.  Dr Doyle’s focus is on understanding the pathophysiology of occlusive stroke, the characteristics of human blood clots that cause occlusive strokes and also the effect of cerebral hypoperfusion and reperfusion strategy on the survival of brain tissue.       

 Dr Doyle is the founder leader of Galway Neuroscience Centre (2004 - 2009), is a former Vice President of Neuroscience Ireland (2007-2009) and Vice Dean for Graduate Studies in the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, NUI Galway (2011-2015). Dr Doyle is a member of The Physiological Society, Neuroscience Ireland, British Neuroscience Association and is a member of the Editorial Board of Physiology News. Dr Doyle is a previous recipient of the Presidents Award for Teaching Excellence in NUI Galway (2015) and winner of a National Teaching Experts Award, from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2015).    

Research Interests

Research Interests: 
My research focuses on understanding the causes of neuronal death, and novel neuroprotective strategies to prevent neuronal death. My previous work has touched on an array of neurological and psychiatric conditions including epilepsy, bipolar depression and the brain damage caused by drugs of abuse. In particular I have made a substantial contribution to the fields of polyamine and stroke research.

Currently, my focus is on understanding neurovascular stress, the pathophysiology of stroke and the characteristics of acute ischaemic stroke blood clots.

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
CURAM SPOKE NEURAVI LIMITED - 1 of 2 01-SEP-16 12-FEB-19
CURAM SPOKE NEURAVI LIMITED - 2 of 2 01-SEP-16 12-FEB-19
Impact of different Reperfusion Approach on Haemorrhagic Transformation Development Following an Aute Occlusive Stroke 01-MAR-15 31-MAY-18
Neuravi Ltd - EI IP 01-MAR-15 31-MAY-18
GALWAY N KAREN DOYLE 20-MAY-09 01-DEC-11
BEAUTY NEUROSCIENCE K DOYLE 01-FEB-09 30-SEP-09

Contract Researchers

  Researcher Name Project Role Funding Body
Dr Sean Fitzgerald Acute ischaemic stroke clot pathology Postdoctoral Scientist Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
Mr Andrew Douglas Acute ischaemic stroke clot pathology Research Assistant Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
Mr Andrew Douglas Does different reperfusion approach have an impact on haemorrhage transformation development following an acute occlusive stroke? Research Assistant Enterprise Ireland (EI)
Dr Jennifer Shearer Does different reperfusion approach have an impact on haemorrhage transformation development following an acute occlusive stroke? Postdoctoral Scientist Enterprise Ireland (EI)

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2016) 'Effect of N1-Dansylspermine and Ro25,6981 on locomotor activity in naive mice and in the resperpinised mouse model of Parkinson's Disease'
Devadasan, C, Starr, B & Doyle KM (2016) 'Effect of N1-Dansylspermine and Ro25,6981 on locomotor activity in naive mice and in the resperpinised mouse model of Parkinson's Disease'. Neuroreport, 27 (17):1243-1247 [Details]
(2015) 'Hydroxycinnamic acid amide derivatives of polyamines reverse spermine-induced CNS excitation'
Bailey, D,Kirby, BP,Atkinson, J,Fixon-Owoo, S,Henman, MC,Shaw, GG,Doyle, KM (2015) 'Hydroxycinnamic acid amide derivatives of polyamines reverse spermine-induced CNS excitation'. Pharmacology Biochemistry And Behavior, 133 :57-64 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 'Nerve growth factor-mediated inhibition of apoptosis post-caspase activation is due to removal of active caspase-3 in a lysosome-dependent manner'
Mnich, K,Carleton, LA,Kavanagh, ET,Doyle, KM,Samali, A,Gorman, AM (2014) 'Nerve growth factor-mediated inhibition of apoptosis post-caspase activation is due to removal of active caspase-3 in a lysosome-dependent manner'. Cell Death & Disease, 5 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2012) 'Fear-induced suppression of nociceptive behaviour and activation of Akt signalling in the rat periaqueductal grey: role of fatty acid amide hydrolase'
Butler, RK,Ford, GK,Hogan, M,Roche, M,Doyle, KM,Kelly, JP,Kendall, DA,Chapman, V,Finn, DP (2012) 'Fear-induced suppression of nociceptive behaviour and activation of Akt signalling in the rat periaqueductal grey: role of fatty acid amide hydrolase'. Journal Of Psychopharmacology, 26 :83-91 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Recent Advances in Psychoneuroimmunology: Inflammation in Psychiatric Disorders'
Debnath, M,Doyle, KM,Langan, C,McDonald, C,Leonard, B,Cannon, DM (2011) 'Recent Advances in Psychoneuroimmunology: Inflammation in Psychiatric Disorders'. Translational Neuroscience, 2 (2):121-137 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Unfolded proteins and endoplasmic reticulum stress in neurodegenerative disorders'
Doyle KM, Kennedy D, Gorman AM, Gupta S, Healy SJ, Samali A (2011) 'Unfolded proteins and endoplasmic reticulum stress in neurodegenerative disorders'. Journal Of Cellular And Molecular Medicine, [Details]
(2009) 'Considerations and recent advances in neuroscience'
Gorman, A. M.,Doyle, K. M. (2009) 'Considerations and recent advances in neuroscience'. Biochemical Society Transactions, 37 :299-302 [Details]
(2007) 'Polyamines in the brain: distribution, biological interactions, and their potential therapeutic role in brain ischaemia'
Li J, Doyle, K.M. & Tatlisumak T (2007) 'Polyamines in the brain: distribution, biological interactions, and their potential therapeutic role in brain ischaemia'. Curr Med Chem, 14 (17):1807-1813 [Details]
(2006) 'Functionality of NGF-protected PC12 cells following exposure to 6-hydroxydopamine'
Kavanagh, ET,Loughlin, JP,Herbert, KR,Dockery, P,Samall, A,Doyle, KM,Gorman, AM (2006) 'Functionality of NGF-protected PC12 cells following exposure to 6-hydroxydopamine'. Biochemical And Biophysical Research Communications, 351 :890-895 [DOI] [Details]
(2006) 'The pre-ischaemic neuroprotective effects of the polyamine analogues BU43b and BU36b in permanent and transient focal cerebral ischaemia models in mice'
Li, J,Henman, MC,Atkinson, J,Fixon-Owoo, S,Tatlisumak, T,Shaw, GG,Doyle, KM (2006) 'The pre-ischaemic neuroprotective effects of the polyamine analogues BU43b and BU36b in permanent and transient focal cerebral ischaemia models in mice'. Brain Research, 1076 :209-215 [DOI] [Details]
(2005) 'Effect of L-type calcium channel antagonists on spermine induced CNS excitation in vivo'
Doyle, K.M., Kirby, B.P., Murphy, D. & Shaw, G.G. (2005) 'Effect of L-type calcium channel antagonists on spermine induced CNS excitation in vivo'. Neuroscience Letters, 380 :247-251 [Details]
(2005) 'The pre-ischaemic neuroprotective effects of N-1-dansyl-spermine in a transient focal cerebral ischaemia model in mice'
Li, J,Henman, MC,Tatlisumak, T,Shaw, GG,Doyle, KM (2005) 'The pre-ischaemic neuroprotective effects of N-1-dansyl-spermine in a transient focal cerebral ischaemia model in mice'. Brain Research, 1055 :180-185 [DOI] [Details]
(2004) 'Preliminary characterisation of an in vitro paradigm for the study of the delayed effects of organophosphorus compounds: hen embryo brain spheroids'
Sales, KM,Kingston, ST,Doyle, KM,Purcell, WM (2004) 'Preliminary characterisation of an in vitro paradigm for the study of the delayed effects of organophosphorus compounds: hen embryo brain spheroids'. Toxicology, 195 :187-202 [DOI] [Details]
(1998) 'Investigation of the actions and antagonist activity of some polyamine analogues in vivo'
Doyle, K.M.,Shaw, G.G. (1998) 'Investigation of the actions and antagonist activity of some polyamine analogues in vivo'. British Journal Of Pharmacology, 124 :386-390 [Details]
(1998) 'Comparison of various N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists in a model of short-term memory and on overt behaviour'
Doyle, K.M., Feerick, S., Kirkby, D.L., Eddleston, A. & Higgins, G.A. (1998) 'Comparison of various N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists in a model of short-term memory and on overt behaviour'. Behavioural Pharmacology, 9 :671-681 [Details]
(1996) 'Investigation of the involvement of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor macrocomplex in the development of spermine-induced CNS excitation in vivo'
Doyle, K.M. : Shaw, G.G. (1996) 'Investigation of the involvement of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor macrocomplex in the development of spermine-induced CNS excitation in vivo'. British Journal Of Pharmacology, 117 :1803-1808 [Details]
(1996) 'Characterisation of a functional polyamine site on rat mast cells: association with a NMDA receptor macrocomplex'
Purcell, W.M., Doyle, K.M., Westgate, C. : Atterwill, C.K (1996) 'Characterisation of a functional polyamine site on rat mast cells: association with a NMDA receptor macrocomplex'. Journal Of Neuroimmunology, 65 :49-53 [Details]
(1994) 'Histamine release from mast cells by polyamines: an NMDA receptor-mediated event?'
Purcell, W.M., Doyle, K.M., Bagga, L. : Derks, M. (1994) 'Histamine release from mast cells by polyamines: an NMDA receptor-mediated event?'. Biochemical Society Transactions, 22 [Details]
(1994) 'The mechanism of the neurotoxic effects of spermidine'
Doyle, K.M.,Shaw, G.G. (1994) 'The mechanism of the neurotoxic effects of spermidine'. Biochemical Society Transactions, 22 [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2017) 28th International Symposium on Cerebral Blood Flow, Metabolism & Function
Shearer, J, Douglas, A, Pandit, A & Doyle, KM (2017) Effect of mechanical repercussion outcome on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in rat brain following an acute occlusive stroke 28th International Symposium on Cerebral Blood Flow, Metabolism & Function [Details]
(2016) The Physiological Society
Shearer, JA, Douglas, AS, Kirby BP, Pandit A & Doyle KM (2016) The relationship between cerebral repercussion after an occlusive stroke and the development of haemorrhage transformation in otherwise healthy rats The Physiological Society The Physiological Society Transactions ID: 2531424, [DOI] [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(2016) 'Editorial'
K Doyle (2016) 'Editorial' Physiology News, (104) :5-5. [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2015 Presidents Award for Teaching Excellence NUI Galway
2015 National Teaching Experts Award National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (in Ireland)

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
European Psychiatry Reviewer /
Brain Research Reviewer /
Journal of Neuroscience Research Reviewer /
Neuroscience Letters Reviewer /
Neuroscience Ireland Full Member 2006 and Vive President 2007 - 2009 /
The Physiological Society Ordinary Member 2002 /
British Neuroscience Association Full Member 1999 /
British Pharmacological Society Ordinary Member 1998 /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Galway Neuroscience Centre Founder member. Group Leader (2004 - 2009) 01-JAN-04 /
Graduate Studies Board Vice Dean for Graduate Studies, College of Medicine Nursing & Health Sciences 01-JAN-11 / 31-DEC-15

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
1989 University College Dublin BSc (Hons) Pharmacology
1994 Trinity College Dublin PhD Neuroscience
2016 NUI Galway Higher Diploma Academic Practice

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Outreach Neuroscience at the Science Festival 01-NOV-14 / 01-JAN-16
Outreach Brain Awareness Week 16-MAR-09 / 01-JAN-16

Other Activities

  Description

Regular Reviewer for International Journals Brain Research, Neuroscience Letters, Journal of Neuroscience Research, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, European Psychiatry, Nature Scientific Reports

Neuroscience Ireland conference local organising committee lead organiser 2008 2017

Teaching Interests

Neurophysiology
Central Nervous System
Advanced Neurophysiology
Scientific Writing and Communication
Gastrointestinal Physiology

Recent Postgraduate Students

  Graduation Name Degree Primary Supervisor
2009 Edel Kavanagh PhD
2004 John Loughlin Msc
2005 Jun Li PhD
2006 Desiree Murphy PhD
2012 Geraldine Lavelle Msc
2010 Andreia Moreira Da Silva Santos PhD Y
2010 Camilla Langan PhD
2014 Donna Kennedy PhD
2008 Sarah Kiran Msc Y

Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

  Student Degree Type Type
Adaobi Okolo Doctorate - Structured Ph.D (Medicine) Supervisor
James Prendergast Masters - Research - Master of Science Supervisor

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
2/2016 Gastrointestinal system MD124
1/2016 Neurophysiology SI311/ SI209
1/2016 Advanced Neurophysiology SI422
1/2016 Scientific Communication SI4102
1/2016 Central Nervous System MD224

External Collaborators

  Name Organisation / Institute Country Description of Collaboration
Prof Turgut Tatlisumak University of Gothenburg SWEDEN
Stroke research
Prof Brian Kirby Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland IRELAND
Polyamine Research
Dr Simon De Meyer KU Leuven BELGIUM
Stroke Clot Research
Prof David Kallmes, Dr Ram Kadirvel, Dr Walleed Brinjinki Mayo Clinic U.S.A.
Stroke Clot Research