Assoc ProfessorNiamh O'Sullivan

I head up a research lab investigating the internal organisation and function of motor neurons which is helping to shed light on how these unique cells are disrupted in motor neuron diseases. My lab specialises in the generation of novel in vivo models of disease using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. These models allow us to study the organisation, interaction and function of organelles within neurons, particularly the longest axons targeted in neurodegenerative diseases. This work is providing a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms which contribute to axon degeneration in patients with inherited neurodegenerative disease.

From 2017-2021 I was the Head of Genetics at University College Dublin, overseeing the delivery of modules, the achievement of learning out comes and the development of course content in this very popular BSc degree.

Brief career overview:
2017- 2021: Head of Genetics, University College Dublin
2013 - Present: Lecturer in Genetics and Neuroscience, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin
2012 - 2013: Junior Research Fellow, Division of Brain Science, Imperial College London
2009 - 2012: Marie Curie Fellow (O'Kane lab), Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge
2005 -2009: Post-doctoral researcher (Murphy Lab), Conway Institute, University College Dublin
2005: PhD (SBBS), University College Dublin
2001: BA (Genetics), Trinity College Dublin

Lab website: https://fniamhy.wixsite.com/osullivanlab