Health Sciences

Background

I have been a lecturer here at NUI Galway since August 2010 where I joined the then Discipline of Podiatry more recently re-named as the Discipline of Podiatric Medicine in 2016. Prior to this position I worked full time on my PhD studies under the supervision Prof Jim Woodburn, Professor of Rehabilitation at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland.

I graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University in July 2006 with a first class BSc (Hons) degree in Podiatry and 3 awards in my final year detailed below. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree I worked in the NHS, in both primary and secondary care settings full time, initially as a basic grade podiatrist and within the year was successfully promoted to Senior II level. In addition to my full time NHS position I also worked in the private sector before returning to Glasgow Caledonian University in August 2007 to undertake my PhD.

My PhD is in the area of Rheumatology, focusing particularly on people with Psoriatic Arthritis and how this condition affects the lower limb and foot both structurally and functionally in relation to gait. Prof Woodburn is an internationally renowned figure for rehabilitation research in the area of biomechanics, podiatry and the management of inflammatory and musculoskeletal disorders of the lower limb and foot and ankle. I was one of 2 podiatrists undertaking a PhD at the time which grew to a team of 6 podiatrists as I was nearing completion of my research. We also worked alongside other allied health professionals and biomedical engineers. As a result I was able to successfully complete several peer reviewed journal articles during my time in Glasgow and showcase my work at international conferences such as EULAR and IFAB (details below).

Qualifications

PhD - 2013
BSc Hons Podiatry - 2006

Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists UK (SCP)
Member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG)

Teaching Responsibilities

I am involved in teaching across the 4 years of the undergraduate BSc Podiatric Medicine degree programme here at NUI Galway. In particular I am solely responsible for, Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics (Year 2) which encompasses all aspects of structural deformities within the foot and lower limb. Research Methods and Design (Year 3) which guides students through the process of planning and conducting their own research projects. This module also involves the co-ordination of external ethical applications. Skills for Practice (Year 4) which is an innovative module that aims to prepare the final year students for working both in the private and public sectors. In addition to this I have assisted teaching on other modules such as the Lower Limb Kinematics module which was introduced for Year 1 students in 2016/17. It introduces them to biomechanical theories, gait and gait analysis. Podiatric Medicine 2 is a large Year 2 module which encompasses all aspects of clinical training. I personally have assisted in the roll out of the student training on neurological assessment (2014 and 2018) and functional assessment (2015, 2016 and 2018) of the lower limb. I am involved in weekly clinical teaching at our state of the art clinical facility in Merlin Park Hospital supervising final year students in general and new patient clinics and I supervise several final year dissertation research students/projects annually (approx. 5 per year). I am also Year 2 coordinator which involves detailed organisation of 8 modules throughout both semester’s, 5 of which are external to the discipline. Finally in addition to my teaching I undertook a leadership role completing 9 months as acting head of discipline (June 2013-February 2014) covering maternity leave.