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Sean Hynes
Professor of Pathology
Seán Hynes: Virtual Biomarker Lab, University of Galway
seanhynes@universityofgalway.ie
Professor in Pathology, University of Galway
Consultant Histopathologist, University Hospital Galway
Chair Saolta Precision Medicine Group
Chair School of Medicine Health & Safety Committee
Director & Secretary Irish Society of Surgical Pathology
Non-Executive Director, Biobank Ireland Trust
NCCP Molecular Diagnostics Advisory Group
National Irish Covid-19 Biobank Research Ethics Committee
Clinical Sciences Institute, G013, School of Medicine, Costello Road, University of Galway
Research Interests:
My research interests concern the use of digital pathology, and in particular image analysis and algorithm development, to answer clinically important questions around cancer and chronic disease. In particular my focus is around colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cancer of unknown primary, lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. Multiplex immunohistochemistry, next generation sequencing and digital pathology represent the cutting edge in the specialty of pathology. Leveraging of these techniques with ethically sound and accurately curated biobank samples allow us as pathologists to diagnose accurately, prognosticate more reliably and predict the response of disease and in particular cancer to various therapies including immunotherapy. This process allows true precision medicine to be undertaken for a particular patient.
My research looks at the ability of image analysis and the morphological and phenotypic changes it identifies to predict genotypic changes which correlate with aggressiveness and response to therapy. Our search is for virtual or digital biomarkers to improve diagnostics, prognostication and prediction of response to therapy. My work has many collaborative efforts with other groups to provide synergy in terms of research outputs, providing a clinical diagnostic expertise in this area.
Overall aim:
The overall aim of my research is to identify clinically important virtual biomarkers in both cancer and cardiovascular disease. I am specifically interested in the surrounding stromal changes which are involved in the progression of metastatic cancers and generalised healing.
Biography:
2021-: Professor in Pathology, Consultant Histopathologist
2018-2021: Senior Lecturer in Pathology, Consultant Histopathologist
2017-2018: Locum Consultant Pathologist
2016-2017: Specialist Registrar, Department of Pathology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital
2015-2016: Fellow, Precision Medicine Centre, Queens University Belfast
2011-2015: Specialist Registrar, Division of Anatomic Pathology, University Hospital Galway
2009-2011: Senior House Officer, Division of Anatomic Pathology, University Hospital Galway
2008-2009: Medical and Surgical Intern, University Hospital Galway
2008: MB, BCh, BAO; medical degree, University of Galway
2004-2012: Post-doctoral researcher, Regenerative Medicine Institute, University of Galway
2002-2003: Post-doctoral researcher, Department of Anaesthesia Research, Mayo Clinic, MN.
2000-2002: Post-doctoral researcher, Department of Bacteriology, Lund University Sweden.
2001: PhD, in Microbiology, University of Galway
1996: BSc, in Microbiology, University of Galway