When did you work at the NeurNetwork for Emerging Therapies?
From 2011 to 2020, I was there for just over eight years.
Where are you originally from?
Co. Clare, Ireland
What was your position?
Postdoctoral Fellow
What was your research focus?
I investigated pharmacological and lifestyle interventions for peripheral neuropathy using mouse models of diabetes and obesity.
Any special accomplishments?
I published over 16 publications, including a review in Lancet Neurology, and presented at numerous national and international meetings, serving as co-chair at the 2018 and 2019 Peripheral Nerve Society meetings.
What was your favorite part about working at the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies?
I enjoyed the camaraderie and teamwork between everyone and met many lifelong friends during my time there. I'm also very appreciative of the support and mentorship of Dr. Feldman, who is the one who brought us all together.
Care to share an interesting memory?
When I was initially interviewing for the lab position, I had a couple of hours of free time between (a long day of) interviews and dinner with Dr. Feldman and several senior lab members. My mother asked me to purchase her a MacBook while I was in the US because they were cheaper, and I thought it would be a good time.
I got a cab from the Campus Inn to the Briarwood Apple store. About ten people were ahead of me in the line, with the same number of staff, so I expected the line to move quickly. I was wrong, and after about 30 minutes, I was still waiting. Since I needed to be ready in 30 minutes for dinner, I decided to give up and grab a cab back to the hotel. I went outside and there were no cabs. I couldn’t call one because I didn’t have a phone. At this point, I was starting to panic.
Thankfully, I remembered the cab stayed on one road on the way to Briarwood, State Street. I took off jogging, in my interview clothes, and kept going until I reached the hotel.
I quickly changed and was ready just in time to be picked up by Lucy, who worked in the lab. Once I arrived at Dr. Feldman’s, I told the story of my failed quest, which everyone found hilarious. The following day, Kelly Sullivan let me use her staff discount at the Michigan Union, so, in the end, my Mum got her MacBook.
Where do you live today?
I’m back in Co. Clare, Ireland
What are you doing these days?
I recently left Eli Lilly where I was a senior publication associate and prepared publications related to their diabetes portfolio. In April, I am joining Reata Pharmaceuticals as a medical science liaison. My therapeutic area will be ADPKD, a common inherited form of kidney disease.
Any message for us?
Happy St. Patrick's Day from Ireland!!!
