SBI Operations Team, September 2022
(Left to right: Susan Yeates, Jessica Ralston, Shane O'Grady, Maryann Kelly, Anna Wedderburn, Amaya Garcia Munoz, Eadaoin McKiernan, Philip Cotter. Not pictured: Hugh Doyle)
Walter Kolch, Director
Walter Kolch is Director of Systems Biology Ireland at University College Dublin. Kolch established SBI in 2009 as a '€22M interdisciplinary research centre focused on identifying new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to diseases at a systems level. An independent review in 2017 ranked SBI as one of the top four research centres in the world that integrates computational modelling with experimental cell biology. In addition to being internationally recognised for his cutting-edge research using systems approaches to understand signalling networks, Kolch has played a central role in the development of precision medicine policy and funding at both national and international levels. He has a track record of competitive grant funding of over €200M, has run many joint research projects with industry, and has had leading involvement in numerous pan-European strategic initiatives of scale.
Contact: walter.kolch@ucd.ie
Boris Kholodenko, Deputy Director
Prof. Boris Kholodenko is SFI Stokes Professor of Systems Biology at Systems Biology Ireland and UCD Conway Institute. Kholodenko is the author of more than 220 publications on spatio-temporal dynamics and control analysis of cellular signalling and metabolic networks, and is a founding chairman of the International Consortium on Systems Biology of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Regulatory Networks. He is widely recognised as a leader in the field of Systems Biology and predictive models of cellular functions and his work has been highly influential in shaping the field of systems biology as it is known today.
Contact: boris.kholodenko@ucd.ie
Eadaoin McKiernan, Centre Manager
Contact: eadaoin.mckiernan@ucd.ie
Philip Cotter, Information Manager
Philip is the group's Information (Data) Manager. He joined SBI in 2011 where he is now responsible for managing the group's data resources, regulatory compliance and underlying data and hardware infrastructures. He is also the primary developer behind the groups Laboratory Information Management System.
With over 20 years experience in data management and software development for Life Sciences, Philip graduated with a BSc D|H in Comp Sci and Biology (NUIM, 1999) and come to SBI from The University of Manchester's National Center for Text Mining.
Contact: philip.cotter@ucd.ie
Hugh Doyle, Grants Manager
Dr. Hugh Doyle is responsible for managing the ongoing operations of the Grants Office, developing tailored research funding strategies with SBI researchers, providing administrative support during all stages of proposal preparation, review and submission, and ensuring effective management of funded projects.
Awarded a PhD in Chemistry from University College Dublin, Hugh has over 20 years’ experience in research and project management. Before joining SBI, he was the funding manager at Lero, the Irish software research centre.
Contact: hugh.doyle@ucd.ie
Amaya Garcia, Wet Lab Manager
Amaya joined the team in 2011 and she is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the wet laboratory facilities and maintains all aspects of operational efficiency within the laboratory.
She graduated with a B.Sc (Hons) Degree in Sea Sciences and completed a M.Sc. in Toxicology in the University of Vigo (SP). Amaya moved to Ireland from Spain in 2004 and held technical and technical management positions in academic and industry research centers. Before joining SBI, she worked as Fluorescence Imaging Research Engineer in the FOCAS Institute (DIT), running the Flow Cytometry and Confocal Microscopy facilities.
Contact: amaya.garcia@ucd.ie
Siobhan Keenan, Research Project Coordinator
Siobhan Keenan is the CuriosiTY Programme Co-ordinator. She has a bachelor's degree in BioScience from Glasgow University, a Master in Food Science from Queen's University Belfast, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice from DIT. Siobhan worked as a Food Safety Auditor and a Food Science Lecturer before completing her Postgraduate Certificate in Biopharmaceutical Science from ATU Sligo and in Medical Technology Regulatory Affairs and Quality also from ATU Sligo. Siobhan subsequently worked in Pharmaceutical and Food Science course development and coordination for an educational institute before joining the team in October 2023.
Contact: curiosityprogramme@ucd.ie
Maryann Kelly, SEA, Administration & Communication
Maryann is the Senior Executive Assistant, Administration & Communication, at SBI. She joined the team in September 2018 and is personal assistant to the centre directors as well as the go-to person for press inquiries, social media/website needs, SBI events and general operations.
Maryann received a BA 2004 in Mass Communications/Journalism from Anderson University in Indiana, USA. She has lived and worked around the USA and Ireland holding a variety of positions including, most recently, a journal assistant role for ACS Central Science at Stanford University.
Contact: sbiadmin@ucd.ie
Shane O'Grady, Senior Research Administrator, Precision Oncology Ireland
Shane completed his PhD in Cancer Biology at RCSI in 2018. He subsequently worked as a research administrator, an assistant lecturer and most recently, as a postdoctoral researcher in the UCD School of Medicine, before taking on the role of Senior Research Administrator with Precision Oncology Ireland.
Contact: poiadmin@ucd.ie
Jessica Ralston, Chief Operations Officer, Precision Oncology Ireland
Contact: jessica.ralston@ucd.ie
Anna Wedderburn, Public Engagement in Research Officer
Anna Wedderburn is the Public Engagement in Research Officer in SBI and the Project Coordinator for the Amgen Biotech Experience. She has a bachelor's degree in Immunology from Trinity College Dublin, a master's degree in Science and Health Communication from Dublin City University, and a post-graduate certificate in HealthCare Innovation from Trinity College Dublin.
Emma Whooley, PEI Research Project Officer
Emma Whooley is the ‘Let’s Chat Medicine’ (LCM) Programme Coordinator. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCD, and a Master’s degree in Clinical Neuropsychology from Leiden University in the Netherlands. Emma has worked in both clinical and academic research roles, with a strong emphasis on innovative healthcare. She has managed projects investigating and promoting breakthroughs in neurodegenerative disorders, movement disorders, and psychiatric diseases, and is now responsible for enhancing public engagement and involvement in cancer and scientific research through the LCM programme.
Contact: lcm@ucd.ie
Kieran Wynne, CMAP Infrastructure Manager
Kieran has worked in academia for 20 years in the area of proteomics and mass spectrometry, acquiring technical skills on various lcms instrumentation including Bruker timsTOF, Thermo Scientific Q Exactive, Orbitrap, Ion trap, FTMS, Agilent Q-TOF and Sciex TripleTOF instruments.
Since arriving at SBI in October 2019, Kieran has been involved in the procurement, purchase, and implementation of CMAP (Comprehensive Molecular Analysis Platform). His focus has been the set up and operation of the new Bruker timsTOF mass spectrometers.
Currently Kieran manages the daily operations of the CMAP/Conway Core Facility for Systems Biology Ireland. Responsibilities include high through put lcms analysis of proteomic samples, data analysis, maintenance, method development, experimental design, consultancy with collaborators and clients as well as administration of various aspects of the facility.
Prior to working at SBI, Kieran was employed as Core Technical Manager at Maine Medical Research Centre and as a Research Scientist/Mass Spectrometry Manager at Boston University, where I helped set up a new mass spectrometry facility at Boston University and was responsible for management and operations at The Center for Network Systems Biology (CNSB) Mass Spectrometry Facility.
Contact: kieran.wynne1@ucd.ie
Susan Yeates, Finance Officer
Susan Yeates is the Finance Officer in SBI. Her role includes the financial review of the day to day spend of SBI and she reports to the Centre Manager.
Susan obtained her bachelor's degree in Maynooth in 1998 and went on to a Graduate Diploma in Business and IT in 2001 and an ACCA qualification in 2004. Previously Susan has worked with POBAL as the Systems Manager of Dormant Accounts and The Community and Voluntary Grants Scheme.
Contact: susan.yeates@ucd.ie
