Meet the Team

Dr Jens Carlsson

Associate Professor, PI Area 52

I got my PhD in 2000, from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and have had several PostDoc appointments (DIFRES - Denmark, VIMS - USA). In 2007 I was appointed as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Duke University and I maintain an Adjunct Associate Professorship there as well as an Adjunct position at Pwani University, Kenya. I moved back to Europe in 2009 and took up a position as Senior Research Fellow at UCC and have since 2012 worked at UCD. My research interests are primarily in aquatic organisms (read fish), but I also apply genetics on questions ranging from viruses to humans. Since 2024, I am also holding an adjunct Associate Professorship at Pwani University, Kenya.
Interests: Fly fishingPages: UCD Profile

 Jeanette Carlsson

Project/Lab manager MSc

I have been employed as a senior genetics-lab technician at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Duke University Marine lab in the USA, University College Cork and University College Dublin in Ireland. I have expertise in project and budget management, sample acquisition and sample repositories. My experience includes general lab duties, such as ordering supplies, lab organisation, equipment maintenance (PCR machines, automated sequencers and other laboratory hardware). Laboratory bench work including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis (microsatellites, SNPs), RFLP, and Sanger and next generation sequencing, environmental DNA (eDNA) and qPCR. 

Dr Andrew Tighe

Post Doc (2021 - )

My main interests are focused around population and evolutionary genetics. I received my BA in Genetics from Trinity College in 2016, and wanting to stay in the field I undertook an MSc in Biological and Biomolecular Science with a focus on genetics in UCD. As part of my MSc I joined the Area 52 lab and got to travel to Kenya to test the best way to preserve DNA samples in the field from elephants. I then got to stay on in the Area 52 lab to undertake a PhD focused on new ways to whole genome sequence viruses. My work focuses around viral species primarily found in aquaculture, but also from wild fish in river systems in Kenya, and how genome data allows us to build a clearer picture of how viruses spread. In addition I continue to work with mammals in Africa and how genetics can be used as an important tool in conservation. My involvement in elephant research in Kenya have lead to an Adjunct position at Pwani University, Kenya.

Dr Paola Campos

Post Doc (2023 - )

I am a post doctoral research fellow involved in the GIDAS (GIll Disease in Atlantic Salmon) Project financed by the Science Foundation Ireland - Frontiers for the Future Programme, aiming to increase the understanding of complex gill disease (CGD) in salmon and provide specific assays and targeted therapies for treatment. To do such, my work focuses on whole genome sequencing, assembly and comparative genomics of the aetiological agent of amoebic gill disease, Neoparamoeba perurans and its eukariotic endosymbiont Perkinsela sp., responsible for amoebic gill disease, one of the most prevalent diseases regrouped under the heading of CGD.
I obtained my PhD in Evolutionary Biology on deciphering the emergence and evolutionary history of crop pathogens: insights from historical herbarium specimens from the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in 2021 following a MSc in Biodiversity, Ecology, Evolution with a specialisation in Systematics, Evolution (2018) at Sorbonne Université, Paris, France. I have experiences in phylogenomics and molecular biology, aiming to reconstruct the evolutionary history and pathogeny-associated gene content evolution by producing and using a geographically and temporally spread-out genomes dataset, manipulating historical specimens from museums and growing modern bacterial strains.

Paul Flynn

Part-time PhD Student (2015 - )

I have worked with Weatherbys Scientific since 2002 and currently I head the laboratory’s Research and Development team. I am a molecular geneticist with over 15 years’ experience within the Agrigenomics sector, specialising in application of latest Genomic Technologies and Bioinformatic Solutions. I hold an MSc and am currently undertaking a part-time research PhD at UCD, specialising in Conservation Genetics within both Equine and Bovine species. 

Sarahjane Power

PhD Student (2022 - ) with the Zixia Huang lab (lead supervisor)

I earned my BSc in Zoology from University College Dublin in 2019, during which I conducted research on the bioinformatic analysis of high quality PacBio genomes of bats for my thesis. After completing my bachelor's degree, I pursued an MSc by research in Zoology with a focus on optimising bat cell culture techniques. Throughout this time, I carried out field work in France, Spain, and Central America.Following the completion of my master's degree, I worked in the pharmaceutical industry in the cell therapy field.I am currently a PhD student of the SFI Centre for Research Training in Genomics Data Science, based at University College Dublin. My research focuses on elucidating mammalian evolution using non-coding genes. My research interests lie in genomics and comparative genomics, evolution, and bioinformatic analysis.

Michael Connell

PhD Student (2023 - ) with the Mary Kelly-Quinn lab

I studied Zoology in University College Dublin, finishing my degree in 2023. I completed my final year thesis with the Area 52 lab where I focused on different methods of non-invasively obtaining DNA from white and Indian rhinoceros, working with both Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park. Following my bachelor’s degree I was able to stay on with the Area 52 lab where I am currently undertaking a PhD with research focusing on integrating DNA based assessment tools into water quality and biodiversity monitoring.

Robert Moise

PhD Student (2023 - ) with the Mary Kelly-Quinn lab (lead supervisor)

I earned my BSc in Environmental Science at University of Udine in 2019 and as part of my studies I had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus traineeship experience at Liverpool John Moores University in 2018. I then received my MSc in Environmental Biology at University of Turin in 2022 followed by a second Erasmus traineeship placement at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
I have a multidisciplinary education and research experience that cover animal behaviour, ecology, and conservation. My interests are rather wide ranging, but my main focus is on ecological monitoring and the development of innovative tools that promote environmental quality and biodiversity protection.
I am now a PhD student within the Area52 lab. The research I am working on is part of the EPA-funded HydroGen project, which involves a collaboration between various institutes. The overall objective of my research is to evaluate how eDNA can integrate and support traditional monitoring methods for the Water Framework Directive, focusing on macroinvertebrates and microbial communities.

Current MSc & Undergraduate Students

MSc Students


4th year Students



ALUMNI 2012 -

Past Post Docs/Research Scientists/Technicians


Past Graduate Students


Past 4th year Students