Biography
I am a Lecturer in Molecular Biology at South East Technological University (SETU) and a member of the Molecular Ecology Research Group (MERG) within the Eco-Innovation Research Centre (EIRC). My research focuses on applied molecular ecology, using DNA-based technologies to address challenges in wildlife conservation, vector surveillance, environmental health, and agricultural sustainability.
I completed a PhD in Molecular Ecology at SETU in 2015, where my doctoral research used non-invasive genetic techniques to investigate red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) populations and inform conservation strategies. I previously earned a BSc (Hons) in Applied Ecology from University College Cork in 2008.
I lead multidisciplinary research programmes in applied ecological genetics, with particular interests in:
- Vector ecology and genetic surveillance of mosquitoes and midges in Ireland
- Conservation genetics and management of native and invasive mammal species
- Genetic-based resistance to rodenticides in Irish rodent populations
- DNA-based approaches to improving animal health and agricultural sustainability
My research integrates field ecology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to support evidence-based decision-making in conservation, public health, and agriculture. I collaborate with government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions nationally and internationally.
I supervise PhD and MSc students and mentor postdoctoral researchers across conservation genetics, vector ecology, and environmental monitoring. I have successfully supervised doctoral students to completion and currently lead multiple funded postgraduate projects supported by organisations including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Research Ireland, CRRU Ireland, and industry partners.
In addition to my research leadership, I co-chair the Biodiversity and Sustainability Forum at SETU, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing education for sustainable development across the university. I am also involved in the SETU Living Lab at the Carriganore campus, which supports sustainability-focused research, teaching, and community engagement in areas including biodiversity conservation, regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and environmental monitoring.
Postgraduate Supervision
Lead Supervisor
Anthony Murphy
Investigating the prevalence of genetic-based resistance to rodenticides in Irish rodent populations
Funded by CRRU Ireland and SETU PhD CoFund
PhD Viva defended January 2026
Elsie Isiye
Developing DNA methods for the surveillance of midges in Ireland
Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)
PhD submitted March 2026
Raysa Hetherington
An Integrative Taxonomic Approach to Mosquito Monitoring in Ireland
Funded by SETU President's PhD Scholarship
Nicole Keohane
Investigating non-antibiotic approaches to improve udder health in Irish dairy cows
Funded by IRC Employment-Based MSc Scholarship (with AHV)
Graduated PhD Students
Lead Supervisor
2024 — Dr Rebecca Synnott
Bridging the gap between conservation genetics and squirrel management
Funded by IRC PhD Scholarship
2023 — Dr Thomas Curran
Development of eDNA methods for the surveillance of mosquitoes in Ireland
Funded by EPA and SETU PhD CoFund
Postdoctoral Mentorship
Lead Mentor
Dr Anthony Murphy
Postdoctoral Researcher in Vector Ecology and Population Genetics
Funded by DAFM (2025–Present)
Dr Rebecca Synnott
Isle of Bute: A genetic case study with implications for red squirrel conservation in Britain and Ireland
Funded by Research Ireland (2024–Present)
Dr Katie Gough
Utilising species distribution modelling to increase the data value obtained from biodiversity research
Funded by TU RISE (2025–Present)
Dr Thomas Curran
Genetic surveillance of Irish mosquitoes
Funded by DAFM (2023–2024)
- Food Traceability and Bioanalysis
- Forestry and the Environment
- Animal Breeding and Genetics
- DNA Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
- Livestock Management in Organic and Biological Agriculture (MSc programme)
- Agroforestry and Landscape Biodiversity in Organic Biological Agriculture (MSc programme)
- Undergraduate Research Projects
Journal Articles
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=riL3kt4AAAAJ&hl=en
2026
Zintl A, Martins Hetherington R, Murphy A, Isiye E, Valcarcel Olmeda A, Lloyd C, Munita M, Mooney L, O’Meara D (2026).
Review of mosquitoes in Ireland and of relevant mosquito-borne pathogens.
Irish Veterinary Journal.
2025
O’Meara D, Shuttleworth C, Clews-Roberts R, Everest D, Synnott R (2025).
Mitochondrial DNA analysis of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in North Wales.
Isiye E, Valcarcel Olmeda A, Curran T, O’Neill D, de Waal T, Barry G, O’Hanlon A, O’Shaughnessy J, Keohane McCarthy N, Vellinga A, O’Meara D (2025).
Molecular characterisation of Culicoides biting midges in Ireland.
bioRxiv.
Isiye E, Valcarcel Olmeda A, Curran T, O'Neill D, De Waal T, Barry G, O'Hanlon A, O'Shaughnessy J, England M, Zintl A, O’Meara D (2025).
Design and optimisation of rapid real-time PCR assays for Culicoides detection.
bioRxiv.
Curran TG, O’Hanlon A, Gallagher F, Pedersen RS, Zintl A, Isiye E, Valcarcel Olmeda A, O’Neill D, McDevitt AD, O’Reilly C, O’Meara D (2025).
DNA barcoding reveals increased diversity within the genus Culex in Ireland.
Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy.
O’Meara D, Kent T, Geraghty J, Scannell S, Vero S, Harrington A, Ryan D, McLoughlin P, Kent E (2025).
The Living Lab: A model for sustainable land management, biodiversity, engagement and education.
HEA Education for Sustainable Development Spotlight Series.
2024
O’Reilly C, Sheehy E, MacPherson J, Birks J, Martin J, Croose E, Fletcher K, Lambin X, Curran T, Synnott R, O’Meara D (2024).
Genetic lag in a demographically recovering carnivore: the British pine marten.
Conservation Genetics.
2023
Browett SS, Synnott R, O’Meara D, Antwis RE, Brown KJ, Wangensteen OS, Dawson DA, Searle JB, Yearsley JM (2023).
Resource competition drives an invasion-replacement event among shrew species.
Journal of Animal Ecology.
Synnott R, Shuttleworth C, Everest D, Stevenson-Holt C, O'Reilly C, McDevitt A, O’Meara D (2023).
Invasive genetic rescue following repeated culling.
Biological Invasions.
Curran TG et al., O’Meara D (2023).
DNA barcoding reveals increased diversity within Culex mosquitoes in Ireland.
2022
Twining JP, McFarlane C, O’Meara D, O’Reilly C, Reyne M, Montgomery WI, Helyar S, Tosh DG, Augustine BC (2022).
Density estimation methods for monitoring animal populations.
Ecosphere.
Curran T et al., O’Meara D (2022).
DNA metabarcoding using bat faeces for biodiversity assessment.
Biodiversity and Conservation.
Zintl A et al., O’Meara D (2022).
Irish network for biting midges and mosquitoes.
Veterinary Ireland Journal.
Sheerin E et al. (O’Meara D co-author) (2022).
Stock structure in Loligo forbesii squid.
ICES Journal of Marine Science.
O’Meara D (2022).
Book Review: An Irish Atlantic Rainforest — a personal journey into rewilding. Irish Naturalists' Journal
2021
O’Meara D, O’Reilly C, Abdullahi AA, Abu Baker M, Yamaguchi N (2021).
Phylogeography of desert hedgehogs in Qatar.
Journal of Arid Environments.
O’Reilly C et al., O’Meara D (2021).
Genetic insights into pine marten recovery in Ireland.
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.
Browett SS et al., O’Meara D (2021).
Primer biases in dietary molecular ecology.
Mammalian Biology.
Harrison XA et al. (O’Meara D co-author) (2021).
Host-associated fungal microbiomes.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
2020
Allen A et al., O’Meara D (2020).
Genetic evidence of badger introductions into Ireland.
Royal Society Open Science.
Browett SS, O’Meara D, McDevitt AD (2020).
Genetic tools in management of invasive mammals.
Mammal Review.
2019
Harrington A, O’Meara D, Aughney T et al. (2019).
Real-time PCR assays for bat identification.
Mammalian Biology.
Armitage ME, Swan E, O’Meara D (2019).
DGAT1 gene variation in dairy cattle.
SURE Journal.
2018
O’Meara D et al. (2018).
Red squirrel conservation genetics in Ireland.
Mammal Research.
Guerrero J et al., O’Meara D (2018).
Population genetics of Irish badgers.
Ecology and Evolution.
Dooley-Cullinane TM et al., O’Meara D (2018).
PCR identification of nitrilase genes.
Microbiology Open.
O’Meara D (2018).
Practical application of genetic technology in mammal research.
CIEEM In Practice.
2016
O’Meara D, O’Reilly C (2016).
Advances in mammal studies using genetic analysis.
Atlas of Mammals in Ireland.
2014
O’Meara D et al. (2014).
Non-invasive monitoring of pine marten diet.
Acta Theriologica.
Sheehy E, O’Meara D, O’Reilly C (2014).
Non-invasive pine marten abundance estimation.
European Journal of Wildlife Research.
2013
O’Neill D, Turner P, O’Meara D et al. (2013).
Real-time PCR assays for otter identification.
Molecular Ecology Resources.
White S, O’Neill D, O’Meara D et al. (2013).
Non-invasive genetic survey of urban otters.
IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin.
2012
O’Meara D et al. (2012).
Genetic structure of Eurasian badgers and colonisation history of Ireland.
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.
O’Meara D et al. (2012).
TaqMan assays for red and grey squirrel identification.
Conservation Genetics Resources.
Book Chapters
O’Meara DB and O’Reilly C (2016) Advances in mammal studies using genetic analysis. The Mammal Atlas of Ireland. Editors: Liam Lysaght and Ferdia Marnell.
PhD Thesis
O’Meara DB (2014) The DNA Toolbox: Development and optimisation of molecular techniques to identify red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris). PhD Thesis, Waterford Institute of Technology.
General Science Writing and Communication
O'Meara D (2018) Practical Application of Genetic Technology in Mammal Research. Theme: Genetic Techniques and Technologies. In Practice Magazine.
O’Meara D (2015) Travel Writer, Oregon: “The steers are lively, and make the young cowboys earn their rodeo stars” The Irish Times.
Harrington A and O'Meara D (2015) Waterford Squirrels: The Secrets Revealed. The Woodland Trust, Spring Edition.
The MISE Magazine: Fostering Community Involvement in Mammal Conservation (2015)
McDevitt A and O’Meara D (2014) Are Irish badgers a distinct subspecies? Ireland’s Wildlife.
O’Meara D and Harrington A (2014) The history of the red squirrel in Ireland. Ireland’s Wildlife.
O’Meara D (2013) New study provides insight into the history of the Killarney shad. Inshore Ireland. October/November issue, p.8.
Morris C, O’Reilly C, Turner P, Halliwell L, O’Meara DB and Sheerin E. (2013) A novel non-invasive method for detecting the harvest mouse (Micromys minutus). Mammal News – Autumn
O’Meara DB (2013) Wildlife Detective. Walton Magazine, Issue 4. This article also appeared in Junior Scientist, Issue 1.
O’Meara DB, Turner PD, O’Neill D, Coffey L, Harrington A, O’Reilly C (2012) The genetic toolbox for squirrel surveys. Mammal News – Autumn.
Peer reviewer for the following academic journals: Ecology and Evolution, Journal of Mammalogy, Mammal Research, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, European Journal of Wildlife Research, Mammalian Biology, BMC Evolutionary Biology, Fungal Biology, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society and multiple book chapters.