MODERN DNA LABORATORY ADDRESS:
Molecular Population Genetics
Smurfit Institute of Genetics
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
Ireland
ANCIENT DNA LABORATORY ADDRESS (for archaeological samples):
Archaeological Genetics
Smurfit Institute of Genetics
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
Ireland
RESEARCH INTEREST:
Paleogenomics of Cattle using Next Generation Sequencing: With the Neolithic agricultural revolution came the domestication of animals such as cattle, sheep and goat, among others, which had a big impact on the lifestyle of anatomically modern humans, providing a great source of food and other resources to the present day. Next generation sequencing technologies have been incredible advantageous to the field of ancient DNA research by significantly improving the sensitivity and resolution power and consequently increasing the available ancient DNA sequence data. Using high-throughput next generation sequencing, the study of population genetics of ancient cattle from Europe, Africa and the Near East should pinpoint key genetic changes during domestication that could be related to particularly important periods in time. Hence, it should be possible to understand the origins of the different lineages, how they have spread, while also gaining further insight into our own prehistory. Understanding genetic diversity between different breeds should also point towards breeds with higher genetic diversity, which are a priority in conservation, and thus relevant to modern farming.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:
2013- present: PhD Candidate, Trinity College Dublin
2012-2013: MSc Molecular Genetics, University of Leicester; Distinction
Thesis title : Characterization of a putative PRDM9 regulated hotspot in the human Xp/Yp pseudoautosomal region. Supervisor: Dr. Celia May
2009-2012: BSc Biological Sciences (Genetics), University of Leicester; Second Class Honours (Upper Division) (2:1)
Thesis title :The Isle of Man: Investigating Viking ancestry in Y-chromosomal lineages. Supervisor: Prof. Mark Jobling
OTHER MERITS:
Winner for Best Poster at "36th International Society for Animal Genetics Conference" UCD, Ireland.
Awarded the "Oxford University Press Achievement in Biosciences Prize"by the University of Leicester (2012)
