Cara (she/her) has been a science lecturer in the Department of Science in the School of Science and Computing since joining WIT in 2013. She is also responsible for the development and coordination of the Level 7 BSc. in Horticulture (SE506 and SE507).
Her doctoral studies were funded by IRCSET (now the Irish Research Council) and involved the use of HPLC and mass spectrometry to profile the sphingolipids in Nostoc cyanobacteria and plant-conditioned medium and cells. Her PhD project was titled "Investigating the role of long-chain sphingoid bases in plant programmed cell death”.
Cara has supervised one MSc and one PhD student to completion and is currently a co-supervisor for two other PhD students.
Qualifications:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Plant Cell Biology (UCD)
BSc in Botany (Hons - first-class) (UCD)
Training in: Research Supervisory Skills, Practical Pedagogy, Blended Learning, Unconscious Bias, Curriculum Development & Design, and Interview Panel training.
Awards:
SETU Vicky Phelan Equality Diversity & Inclusion Award 2023
Waters’ Postgraduate Prize in Separation Science winner 2009 (€20,750)
IRCSET (Irish Research Council for Science & Technology) PhD research scholarship 2009 - 2012 (€72,009)
UCD/TCD Innovation Academy Bursary recipient 2010
Undergraduate Research Experience and Knowledge Award 2008
UCD Botany Prize 2007, 2008 and 2009
UCD Environmental Biology Prize 2007
Kathleen Rooney Miller Scholarship Recipient 2006
Committee work:
SETU - Member of Academic Council
SETU - Member of University Governing Body (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee)
WIT - Member of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
WIT - Member of the 9th Academic Council
School of Science and Computing - Marketing & Promotions Committee
School of Science and Computing - Research Committee
Cara has taught lectures and practical classes for a number of undergraduate modules in the School of Science and Computing in the areas of cell biology and biochemistry, food science, microbiology, and environmental science. She coordinates and teaches modules including: Plant Biology, Plants and Society, Biodiversity and Horticulture, Laboratory Skills for Plant Science, Introduction to Scientific Writing and Data Analysis, and Horticulture Project and Seminar.
Programmes Cara teaches on include:
BSc in Horticulture
BSc in Forestry
BSc in Agriculture
BSc in Agricultural Science (Hons)
BSc in General Science (L7, and Hons)
BSc in Land Management (in Horticulture) Add-on (Level 8)
MSc in Organic and Biological Horticulture
MSc in Organic and Biological Agriculture
Cara is interested in the biotic and abiotic stress effects on programmed cell death in plants and plant cell cultures. As a PhD supervisor, Cara has expanded her research into stress attenuating and biofertilising effects of cyanobacterial exudates in the context of sustainable agriculture. Cara has also explored lab-based methods to identify stress-tolerant cereal varieties.
Cara is enthusiastic to work with collaborators in Ireland and abroad therefore, don't hesitate to contact her to discuss joint funding opportunities.
Her team's latest publications are open access and can be found here, and here.
Cara's academic career came after 10 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry at home in Ireland and in the UK. Cara has worked with GSK in the UK, and Covidien and Takeda Pharma Ireland in Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Cara writes two columns for the Irish Garden Magazine on Garden Science and Pests and Diseases. She regularly gives talks to garden clubs and welcomes new invitations for late 2024 and 2025. She especially welcomes invitations to give talks or help promote and participate in activities that promote conservation and appreciation of our natural heritage.
Cara was the national coordinator for Ireland for Fascination of Plants Day (2018-2023) and has organised various plant and nature-based activities.
