Unravelling Science Podcast

Episode 38: Prof Douglas Veale: Inflammatory Arthritis, Early Diagnosis and Determination

In this episode I am so pleased to be joined by Prof Douglas Veale, Consultant Rheumatologist and Director of the EULAR Centre of excellence for arthritis and rheumatic diseases at St Vincent’s University Hospital and someone I am lucky enough to call my mentor.

 

Doug chats about his family history in the medical profession, how he knew he wanted to be a doctor since he was 10 years old, his education at RSCI (both academic and social) and his time as a researcher in the UK. We also talk about his research career in Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis, seminal work on joint hypoxia and work into early diagnosis and treatment of RA and in trying to identify patients before they get arthritis. We also chat about the benefits of precision medicine and 'finding the right drug for the right patient at the right time'.

 

As a clinician scientist Doug gives real insight into the impact translational research can have on patients lives. The passion and dedication he has towards his patients is extremely evident, I hope you enjoy.

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This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fisher Scientific.

 

Episode 37: Dr Darragh Ennis: Ecology, Neuroscience and The Chase

Welcome to Season 4 of Unravelling Science! 

This season I will be chatting mainly to Irish Researchers Abroad but also some key researchers working here at home. In this first episode back I chat to Dr Darragh Ennis aka 'The Menace' on ITV's The Chase about growing up in Dublin surrounded by history books, his early ecology field trips and his latest work as a chaser. We also chat about his role as Lab Manager and Postdoc at Oxford University studying the fly brain as a model of human brain function to understand which genes are involved in synaptic plasticity and brain development. Darragh speaks about his struggles to find a job post PhD and his own podcast 'Untangling Science' and what he hopes to achieve in the world of scicomm. 

We also delve into his TV career and how his job on the Chase came about, how he prepares for shows and his love of quizzes. I am so honored to have chatted to a real-life celebrity but also such a down-to-earth person. I hope you enjoy it!

 

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This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fischer Scientific.

 

Episode 36: Prof Rose Anne Kenny: Healthy Ageing, Vitamin D and Teamwork

For my final guest of Season 3 I was so thrilled to be joined by Prof Rose Anne Kenny, Chair of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin and founding PI of TILDA the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing - Irelands largest adult population study on ageing. She chats to me about her early medical influences, why she wanted to pursue a career in geriatric medicine and her return to Ireland after many years in the UK.

We chat about how and why she undertook the TILDA project, the success stories to come out of this 12 year ongoing study and how it has informed government policy. Rose Anne also chats about the importance of Vitamin D for healthy and healthy ageing and how the secret to success is about having a 'fantastic team'.

This is episode marks the end of Season 3 of Unravelling Science. I will take a quick break for the summer but I will be back in the autumn for Season 4 and plenty more stories that shaped the science!

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This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fisher Scientific.

Episode 35: Prof Kate Fitzgerald: Innate Immunity, Signalling and Academic Freedom

Prof Kate Fitzgerald, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Program in Innate Immunity at the University of Massachusetts joins me on the podcast this week. Kate chats to me about growing up in Waterford, working with Luke O'Neill during her PhD and her relocation to the US (coincidentally the same week as 9/11).

Kate describes 'the delicate balance' of our immune system and her interest in how the immune system makes decisions, particularly the innate arm. She chats about her work in defining signalling pathways including nucleic acid sensors for a better understanding of viral immunology, tumour immunology and auto-immune diseases. 

Congratulations again to Kate on her recent election to the prestigious US National Academy of Sciences - it was a real honor to have her time this week!! 

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This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fisher Scientific.

Episode 34: Dr Kieran Meade: Cows, Animal Science and Engagement

Dr Kieran Meade, Associate Professor in the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and Senior Conway Fellow joins me this week. He chats to me about all things cows! From bovine immunology and fertility to how they are like elite athletes or even supermodels at times! We chat about his desire to link the 'passion of agriculture with the expertise in immunology' for a a One Health approach to science.

We also chat about vitamin D levels in calves, the impact of the annual TB test and his fascinating trip to Kenya during his PhD. Kieran also discusses being a 'Dub' in a agri-world, his childhood trips to Tipperary and why failure is just as important as success.

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This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fisher Scientific.

Episode 33: Dr Fred Sheedy: Macrophages, Infection and Visibility in STEM

I am so thrilled to be joined by a fellow macrophage enthusiast Dr Fred Sheedy this week. Fred is an Ussher Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin interested in macrophage function in health and disease as well as innate immune training particularly in the context of Tuberculosis. We chat also chat about immunometabolism and his recent research focus on Immune Health and Nutrition and why 'we are what we eat'. 

In this episode he chats to me about growing up in Cork, finding himself in Dublin and his love of creative writing. We also chat about the importance of LGBT visibility and representation in STEM, Fred's own experiences as an LGBT researcher and the 'brain drain' across the sea. This is an episode full of laughter - I hope you enjoy!

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This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fisher Scientific.

Episode 32: Dr Katriona O'Sullivan: Education, Women in STEM and Imposter Syndrome

Dr Katriona O'Sullivan, lecturer in the Department of Psychology and a researcher at the Assisting Living & Learning Institute at Maynooth University joins me this week. Katriona chats to me about her incredible journey through academia from being 15 and homeless with a baby on the way and the defining moments that has got her to where she is today. Katriona also discusses the importance of people believing in her and encouraging her to believe in herself.

As a graduate from Trinity Access Programme herself, Katriona's research now focuses on the impact of such programmes which attempt to raise the aspirations of underrepresented students. Her recent work includes collaborations with Microsoft to develop Dreamspace an immersive learning hub and her new 'STEM-Passport for Inclusion' project which aims to transform how disadvantaged women gain access to STEM course.

Katriona's story is one of resilience, determination and true passion for what she does. 

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This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fisher Scientific.

Episode 31: Prof Mark Cunningham: Epilepsy, Brain Rhythms and Discovery

Prof Mark Cunningham, the Ellen Mayston Bates Professor of Neurophysiology of Epilepsy, Trinity College Dublin joins me this week. He chats to me about his fascination with studying the brain, the 'instant gratification' of electrophysiology and his cutting edge research into epilepsy. Mark describes his work using live brain tissue, what an honor it is to work with such precious samples and how you can 'listen to the symphony of brain cells firing'. 

He also chats to me about growing up in Newry, the critical influence teachers and a summer research project had on his career and his PhD days in Bristol. This was such a warm, friendly and engaging chat - hope you enjoy!

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This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fisher Scientific.

Episode 30: Dr Ellen Gravallese: Arthritis, Osteoclasts and Serendipity

I am so pleased to be joined by Dr Ellen Gravallese, Chief of the division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, this week. Ellen chats to me about her early days in pathology, how she ended up specializing in Rheumatology and her seminal research identifying osteoclasts as the cells that resorb bone in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

She also chats to me about why she loves 'following a lead and solving a puzzle' and how she balances her many roles including her most recent role as 83rd President of the American College of Rheumatology. We also discuss how COVID has impacted medicine, the struggles of telemedicine and reformed clinical practice guidelines but also how rheumatologists should be 'in the room where it happens' as experts in immunology.

What a better guest to have on National Arthritis Week - a total honour!

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This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fisher Scientific.

Episode 29: Prof Peter Gallagher: The Sun, Astrophysics and Curiosity

Prof Peter Gallagher, Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics, at DIAS and Director of the Dunsink Observatory and I-LOFAR project is my guest on the podcast today. He talks to me about his astrophysics research, why his passion lies within studying the sun and how his research group makes measurements using radio telescopes and space satellites. Peter also explains the real need for understanding how the sun impacts the earth and how his research into solar flares has become more relevant with this current pandemic.

He tells me how a present of 'A Brief History of Time' ignited his passion for astrophysics, reminisces on his days at NASA in the US and how he managed to set up the I-LOFAR telescope in Birr in the middle of the recession. This chat was one of the most enjoyable and entertaining one yet! Enjoy!

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This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fisher Scientific.