Behind The Lab Doors: Recent Episodes
Behind the Lab Doors
We think scientific research should be accessible! Our undergrads interview science and maths researchers to hear what goes on behind their lab doors.
In this episode, Amy speaks to Dr. Martina Schroeder from the Biology department at Maynooth University. With a background in biochemistry and immunology, Martina discusses her path into Biology and her fascination with the protein DDX3, which exhibits a diverse and mysterious role in the human body.
This episode is hosted by Amy Dugdale, edited by Akash Satheesan with music by Sean Dowd and artwork by Orla Farrelly
For the first podcast of this series, Jonathan speaks to Prof. Martin Downes about his life in research. Prof. Downes’ research focuses on Biological control of pests and pathogens. He now lectures in bioethics at Maynooth University. In this podcast Martin shares his views on how ethics impacts all areas of science, from agriculture to medicine.
This podcast was hosted and produced by Jonathan Nugent, edited by Orla Farrelly, with music by Sean Dowd and artwork by Orla Farrelly
In the sixth episode of Behind The Lab Doors, Akash speaks to Dr. Eithne Dempsey of the Chemistry Department here at Maynooth. Upon completing her PhD in Electroanalytical Chemistry from DCU in 1993, Eithne served as a postdoctoral researcher at St. Vincent’s hospital in Dublin. She then took up a position as a lecturer in Chemistry at IT Tallaght where she managed the Centre for Research in Electroanalytical Technologies. After being involved with the Marie Curie Grant Fellowship she has been a chemistry lecturer and researcher at Maynooth University since 2017. Eithne's current research interests includes nanostructured and electrocatalytic materials, nanosensor technology and the designs of biomedical diagnostic tools harnessing electrocatalytic/nanomaterials properties. During this month's podcast Eithne speaks on a range of topics from her work with the Marie Curie Fellowship to being awarded Visiting Professor of Chemistry from University of the Western Cape, in Capetown. She discusses her average day in the lab, her experience lecturing in a foreign country, along with recent developments in chemistry and the role of nanomaterials in the biomedical industry and the environment.This episode has been hosted and produced by Akash Satheesan, edited by Amy Dugdale, with music by Sean Dowd and artwork by Orla Farrelly
In the fifth episode of Behind the Lab Doors, Amy speaks with Dr. Fiona Walsh, a microbiologist in the Biology department here at Maynooth University.Drawn to the University of Edinburgh by the story of Dolly the sheep, Fiona achieved her PhD on the Development of resistance to the antibiotic Telithromycin. This interest in antibiotic resistance has stayed with her throughout her career. Today her research interests include studying antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatments plants and other non-clinical environments.During the podcast Fiona shares the pathway she has taken into research; from finding inspiration as a child to the struggles of finding the right PhD.
Additionally, Fiona discusses the work undertaken in her lab on to the effects of antibiotic resistance in medicine and the environment, and its impact on wider society.This episode has been hosted and produced by Amy Dugdale, edited by Akash Satheesan with music by Sean Dowd and artwork by Orla Farrelly
This month, Courtney spoke with Dr. Dan Nickström, discussing all things from biomedical physics to science communication with the intersection of art. Dr. Nickström is a lecturer in the Department of Experimental Physics in Maynooth University, with an exciting science communication background under his belt. Dan has won many awards for his work and is a member of the newly formed Maynooth Institute for Human Health. This episode is hosted by Courtney Mc Lean, edited by Akash Satheesan with music by Sean Dowd and artwork by Orla Farrelly.
In the third episode of Behind the Lab Doors, Amy speaks with Dr. Elisa Fadda of the Chemistry Department at Maynooth University. Amy and Elisa talk about a range of topics including how she first found a love for computing and chemistry and her current work using high performance computing to study dynamic biomolecules. Achieving her PhD in Computational Chemistry from the University of Montreal, Dr. Fadda then went on to work as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto. Upon arriving to Ireland in 2008, she upheld a position at N.U.I. Galway studying glycoproteins in disease diagnostics. Since 2013 Dr. Fadda has been a lecturer at Maynooth University, and her current areas of research include studying the molecular mechanisms of carbohydrate regulation of immunoglobulins and the structure and function of intrinsically disordered proteins. This episode is hosted and produced by Amy Dugdale, edited by Akash Satheesan with music by Sean Dowd and artwork by Orla Farrelly
For the second podcast of the month Amy spoke to Dr. Rob Elmes, discussing his work in areas of medical and environmental chemistry, as well as sources of inspiration and motivation throughout his career.
With an undergraduate and PhD from Trinity College Dublin, Dr. Elmes is now an organic chemistry lecturer in the chemistry department at Maynooth University. This episode is hosted and produced by Amy Dugdale, edited by Akash Satheesan with music by Sean Dowd and artwork by Orla Farrelly.
This month Courtney had a chat with Dr. Neil Trappe, discussing all things from inspirations to satellites to the future of astrophysics. Neil is a senior lecturer in the department of experimental physics in Maynooth University, and holds an exciting list of credentials to his name including work with the European Space Agency. This episode is hosted by Courtney McLean, produced by Amy Dugdale, edited by Akash Satheesan with music by Sean Dowd and artwork by Orla Farrelly.
Through conversations with the people behind the lab doors at Maynooth University, we explore the research that excites them and uncover what's driving their passion for discovery