Ireland
I am a seasoned food safety microbiologist, with rich academic and industrial experience. I am an expert in the fields of Microbial Risk Assessment and industrial problem-solving (through the use of phenotypic and genotypic profiling methods). I have had the pleasure of working with some of the finest scientists’ both nationally and internationally. These collaborations have had a profound and positive effect on my career, generating over 30 peer-reviewed publications to date (detailed below). I have worn many hats in my career—technician, researcher, writer, project manager and laboratory manager. As a result, I have a rare perspective which has enabled me to manage multidisciplinary projects and navigate complex challenges. However, practical experience has taught me that my professional value can be boiled down to this: - Outcome is everything. Effort and intention may bring their own rewards, but neither guarantee success. If you keep an open mind on your approach, you can find a way out of the most challenging situations. - I don’t care who gets the credit, as long as the team wins. - I’m a multi-linguist of science based industry. I speak fluent geek, IT, accountant, salesperson, trainer, marketer. - A life time of practice has enabled me to remain calm when the sky is falling down. You only find out how tall you are when you’re in over your head! I love making professional connections and gaining new perspectives. If I can be of service to you, so much the better, if I can’t, I may know someone who can. After all, creating and fostering relationships is the cornerstone of the scientific community. Reach out if you want to talk Microbiology, technology or all things 80’s! Specialities: Food Safety, Microbial Risk Assessment, Phenotying & Genotyping, Problem Solving, Training, Microbiological Databases, LIMs, Laboratory Management
Responsibilities as Microbiology Laboratory Manager at Wyeth Nutrition: • Manage a team of 23 technicians (e.g. HR, Training, lead shift huddles, manage workload etc.). • Generate Cycle-time, Trend & Safety reports (Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Annual). • Manage Laboratories responsible for Sample Preparation, Finished Product Microbiology Testing, Environmental Microbiology Testing and Ready-to-Feed sterility testing functions. • Result approval against regulatory and market specifications. • Site Biosecurity Officer. • Generation of Laboratory Investigation Reports and Plant Non-Conformance reports. • Co-ordination of microbiology related activities during internal and external audits and assessments. • Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and updating laboratory procedures & documentation to ensure compliance. • Writing and reviewing microbiology related SOPs and assessments. • Verification and validation of new microbiological methods. • Applying problem solving/Analysis tools (e.g. 5s, Six-Sigma, DMAIC etc.) to improve the quality & efficacy of the plant process stream activities. • Active member of the Wyeth Nutrition Microbiology User Group, which steers the continued improvement of microbiology methods and standards applied across all sister-sites.
Responsibilities as Microbiology Laboratory Manager at Wyeth Nutrition: • Manage a team of 23 technicians (e.g. HR, Training, lead shift huddles, manage workload etc.). • Generate Cycle-time, Trend & Safety reports (Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Annual). • Manage Laboratories responsible for Sample Preparation, Finished Product Microbiology Testing, Environmental Microbiology Testing and Ready-to-Feed sterility testing functions. • Result approval against regulatory and market specifications. • Site Biosecurity Officer. • Generation of Laboratory Investigation Reports and Plant Non-Conformance reports. • Co-ordination of microbiology related activities during internal and external audits and assessments. • Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and updating laboratory procedures & documentation to ensure compliance. • Writing and reviewing microbiology related SOPs and assessments. • Verification and validation of new microbiological methods. • Applying problem solving/Analysis tools (e.g. 5s, Six-Sigma, DMAIC etc.) to improve the quality & efficacy of the plant process stream activities. • Active member of the Wyeth Nutrition Microbiology User Group, which steers the continued improvement of microbiology methods and standards applied across all sister-sites.
See publication list below.
See publication list below.
2010: UCD Dawn Farm Foods Newman Fellow in Food Safety. 2006 – 2010 Postdoctoral Research Officer, Centre for Food Safety, Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin. 2005 – 2006 Postdoctoral Research Officer, Ashtown Food Research Centre (ARFC), Ashtown, Dublin 15. 2004 – 2005 Quality Control Supervisor, Commercial Food Safety Laboratory, Teagasc, Ashtown Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15. 2000 – 2001 Water Quality Control Microbiologist, Microbiology Department, Central Laboratory, Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8 (6 months). 2000-2001 Quality Control Manager, Cuisine Express, Cookstown Industrial Estate, Tallaght (6 months).