Career biography‌

Sinéad graduated top of the B.Sc. Neuroscience class in 2008.  During the degree programme, Sinéad developed an interest in neuroscience research and worked in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience laboratories funded by an SFI Undergraduate Research Excellence & Knowledge Award (UREKA) during summer 2007.  She also worked on an industry – funded project in collaboration with Marigot Ltd. to probe the potential anti – inflammatory benefits of their seaweed – derived nutritional supplement, Aquamin.  Her undergraduate research experience led to Sinéad to undertake a PhD project under the supervision of Dr Yvonne Nolan.  This project probed the effect of the pro – inflammatory cytokine interleukin – 1β in adult hippocampal neurogenesis and then expanded the study to examine potential beneficial effects of exercise on adult hippocampal neurogenesis.  Sinéad graduated with a PhD Neuroscience in 2013 and moved to Trinity College Dublin having been awarded a two year Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship.  During her time in TCD, she worked in Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience in the laboratory of Prof. Áine Kelly, Department of Physiology.  Here Sinéad’s project focused on examining the effects of exercise on cognitive function, hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroinflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.  In 2016, Sinéad was awarded the Barcroft Medal for early career researchers by the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.  In early 2017, Sinéad took up her current role as Education & Public Engagement Officer in the SFI – funded Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC) at Tyndall National Institute where she is responsible for coordinating the education and engagement strategy aimed to increase the general awareness of photonics in students and the public audience.