I was appointed as lecturer in the Dept of Anatomy and Neuroscience in 2012. I have been promoted across the merit bar and to senior lecturer through UCC's Academic Promotion Schemes.  I am Programme Director for the BSc in Neuroscience and also teach both Neuroscience and Anatomy to various disciplines and across three colleges in the university.  I am a current/past member of several committees at School, College and University levels with either teaching or research-related functions, and I also serve on several committees responsible for research postgraduate student affairs. I lead a research team investigating the neurobiology of stress-related psychiatric disorders such as depression.  

We also investigate how gut microbes  regulate the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus area of the brain and the implications that this may have for cognitive and stress-related brain disorders. Additionally, we are investigating interactions between the gut microbiota and female brain health during hormonal transition periods of life that may potentially contribute to increased susceptibility of females to stress-related psychiatric disorders. My research programme has secured grant funding from national and international organisations.  I serve on several editorial boards and grant-reviewing panels and have acted as external examiner at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

Approach as Mentor

I have an open approach and am happy to share my insights and experiences through informal mentee-led meetings which are based on mutual trust.  

Type of Mentoring offered:

1:1 Mentoring - longer term relationship (1 year plus).

1:1 Mentoring - short term relationship (6 months or less).

Panel Mentoring - Mentoring with 1 or 2 other panel members.