Personal profile
Personal Statement
I am a first year PhD student looking at developing next generation low-cost biosensors for the detection of avian influenza. My project is funded by Medical Research Scotland (MRS) and is in collaboration with the National Measurement Laboratory (NML)
My research is supervised by Professor Damion Corrigan (University of Strathclyde, Professor Glenn Burley (Univserity of Strathclyde), and Dr Denise O'Sullivan (NML).
Research Interests
My research interests include disease management, animal science, molecular biology, and disease ecology. I am passionate about applied science as I believe it is important that scientific knowledge is utilised and translated into solutions that help tackle real-world problems.
Industrial Relevance
Laboratory Scientist in Molecular Biology (2020 - 2024)
SRUC Veterinary and Analytical Services
As a molecular biology laboratory scientist I tested a variety of samples for bacterial and viral causative agents of animal disease. I gained a strong understanding of livestock diseases and their impacts, but also methodology and the effectiveness of screening and diagnostics. Additionally, I’ve come to appreciate the costs associated with these processes given the requirements for specialist individuals and facilities. While I believe diagnostic laboratories are essential, if we can develop affordable and efficient tests that are accessible to non-specialists this would transform how we manage disease.
I gained practical experience in molecular techniques in a high-throughput environment, as well as general copetency working autonomously in a commercial labortatory as part of a team. For example, I performed DNA and RNA purification on a variaenty of animal sample types (blood, faeces, swabs, tissue) utilising magnetic bead extraction, phenol-chloroform, and SDS-PAGE methods. I performed different real-time PCR procedures such as SNP genotyping, semi-quantitative and quantitative confirmatory Ct value testng. I am also proficient in conventional PCR methodology utilising agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which we implemented for virulence factor identification and species differentiation using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Finally, my job instilled an interest in methody alidation and quality assurance as I was trained as an internal auditor where I was responsbile for continuously evaluating, reviewing, and improving our operating procedures in accordance with our UKAS accreditation.
Academic / Professional qualifications
MSc (Res) Biology: Behaviour, Ecology, and Evolution (2019 - 2020)
University of St Andrews, Pass - Thesis accepted with no revisions
BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Science (2014 - 2018)
SRUC: Scotland's Rural College, Upper Second Class (2:1)
Education/Academic qualification
Master of Science, by Research in Biology: Behaviour, Ecology, and Evolution, University of St Andrews
Jan 2019 → Jan 2020
Bachelor of Science, Applied Animal Science, Scotland's Rural College SRUC
Sept 2014 → Jul 2018
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