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Medicine

Sonja Khan

B.Sc.,M.Sc, PhD

Contact Details

Lecturer Above The Bar
School of Medicine
NUI Galway
E: SONJA.KHAN@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher
 

Biography

Sonja Khan is a Lecturer in on the taught Masters program in Clinical Research, and is based in the HRB Clinical Research Facility (CRFG) at NUI Galway. Areas of teaching include Introduction to Introduction to the Ethical and Regulatory Framework of Clinical Research, Biobanking, Clinical Research Administration and Systematic Reviews. Since joining the CRFG, Sonja has contributed to the department as study management coordinator on an international clinical trial, supported training of staff in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and most recently covered a temporary (5 month) position as Program Manager of the HRB CRFG, supporting the Director and Associate Director on grant applications, HR related functions and managing key disciplines in the CRFG.
Sonja conducted her postdoctoral research in the Discipline of Surgery, which was funded by the Irish Cancer Society, which investigated the impact of Aspirin on breast cancer lymph node spread. Sonja obtained her undergraduate degree in Biopharmaceutical Science in GMIT in 2008 and went on to complete a Masters in Regenerative Medicine in NUI Galway in 2009, and was then awarded a PhD in Medicine from NUI Galway in 2014.




Research Interests

Biobanking - Biobanks are collections of biological samples (such as blood, DNA or tissue samples) along with associated data (clinical information) established to drive scientific knowledge. Biobanks are an invaluable resource in the global effort for more precise and personalised medicines. I am very interested in driving structured governance and policy on bio banking in Ireland. 
Clinical Research - governance, Informed Consent and Regulatory Frameworks

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2019) 'Oncological Risk in Autologous Stem Cell Donation for Novel Tissue-Engineering Approaches to Postmastectomy Breast Regeneration'
O'Halloran, N.; Khan, S; Gilligan, K.; Dwyer, R.M; Kerin, M.J.; Lowery, A. (2019) 'Oncological Risk in Autologous Stem Cell Donation for Novel Tissue-Engineering Approaches to Postmastectomy Breast Regeneration'. Breast Cancer-Basic And Clinical Research, [Details]
(2020) 'Investigating the Potential and Pitfalls of EV-Encapsulated MicroRNAs as Circulating Biomarkers of Breast Cancer'
Moloney BM;Gilligan KE;Joyce DP;O'Neill CP;O'Brien KP;Khan S;Glynn CL;Waldron RM;Maguire CM;Holian E;Naughton E;Elhadi M;Grealish AB;Malone C;McDermott E;Dockery P;Ritter T;Prina-Mello A;Kerin MJ;Dwyer RM; (2020) 'Investigating the Potential and Pitfalls of EV-Encapsulated MicroRNAs as Circulating Biomarkers of Breast Cancer'. Cells, 9 (1) [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Influence of stromal-epithelial interactions on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo'
Potter, SM;Dwyer, RM;Hartmann, MC;Khan, S;Boyle, MP;Curran, CE;Kerin, MJ (2012) 'Influence of stromal-epithelial interactions on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo'. Breast Cancer Research And Treatment, 131 :401-411 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumour microenvironment: stimulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)'
Martin, FT;Dwyer, RM;Kelly, J;Khan, S;Murphy, JM;Curran, C;Miller, N;Hennessy, E;Dockery, P;Barry, FP;O'Brien, T;Kerin, MJ (2010) 'Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumour microenvironment: stimulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)'. Breast Cancer Research And Treatment, 124 (2):317-326 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2018) 'Employing mesenchymal stem cells to support tumor-targeted delivery of extracellular vesicle (EV)-encapsulated microRNA-379'
O'Brien, KP,Khan, S,Gilligan, KE,Zafar, H,Lalor, P,Glynn, C,O'Flatharta, C,Ingoldsby, H,Dockery, P,De Bhulbh, A,Schweber, JR,St John, K,Leahy, M,Murphy, JM,Gallagher, WM,O'Brien, T,Kerin, MJ,Dwyer, RM (2018) 'Employing mesenchymal stem cells to support tumor-targeted delivery of extracellular vesicle (EV)-encapsulated microRNA-379'. Oncogene, 37 :2137-2149 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2017) 'Investigation on the effect of dehydration on tissue dielectric properties in the ex-vivo measurements'
Shahzad, S; Khan,S; Jones, M; Dwyer, RM; O’Halloran, M (2017) 'Investigation on the effect of dehydration on tissue dielectric properties in the ex-vivo measurements'. Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express, [Details]
(2018) 'Employing mesenchymal stem cells to support tumor-targeted delivery of extracellular vesicle (EV)-encapsulated microRNA-379'
O'Brien KP, Khan S, Gilligan KE, Zafar H, Lalor P, Glynn C, O'Flatharta C, Ingoldsby H, Dockery P, De Bhulbh A, Schweber JR, St John K, Leahy M, Murphy JM, Gallagher WM, O'Brien T, Kerin MJ, Dwyer RM. (2018) 'Employing mesenchymal stem cells to support tumor-targeted delivery of extracellular vesicle (EV)-encapsulated microRNA-379'. Oncogene, [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'Investigation of the effect of dehydration on tissue dielectric properties in ex vivo measurements'
Shahzad, A,Khan, S,Jones, M,Dwyer, RM,O'Halloran, M (2017) 'Investigation of the effect of dehydration on tissue dielectric properties in ex vivo measurements'. Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express, 3 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'Screening of exosomal microRNAs from colorectal cancer cells'
Clancy C, Khan S, Glynn CL, Holian E, Dockery P, Lalor P, Brown JA, Joyce MR, Kerin MJ, Dwyer RM. (2017) 'Screening of exosomal microRNAs from colorectal cancer cells'. Cancer Biomarkers, 17 (4):427-435 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Screening of exosomal microRNAs from colorectal cancer cells'
Clancy, C,Khan, S,Glynn, CL,Holian, E,Dockery, P,Lalor, P,Brown, JAL,Joyce, MR,Kerin, MJ,Dwyer, RM (2016) 'Screening of exosomal microRNAs from colorectal cancer cells'. Cancer Biomarkers, 17 :427-435 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2015) 'MicroRNA-10a is reduced in breast cancer and regulated in part through Retinoic Acid'
Sonja Khan, Deirdre Wall, Catherine Curran, John Newell, Michael J Kerin, Roisin M Dwyer (2015) 'MicroRNA-10a is reduced in breast cancer and regulated in part through Retinoic Acid'. BMC Cancer, 15 (2) [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'miR-379 Regulates Cyclin B1 and is decreased in Breast Cancer'
• Khan, S., Brougham, C. L., Ryan, J., Sahrudin, A., O’Neill, G., Wall, D., Curran, C., Newell, J., Kerin, M.J., Dwyer, R. M. (2013) 'miR-379 Regulates Cyclin B1 and is decreased in Breast Cancer'. Plos One, 8 (7):1-7 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Isolation of secreted microRNAs (miRNAs) from cell-conditioned media'
Glynn C, Khan S, Kerin MJ and Dwyer RM. (2012) 'Isolation of secreted microRNAs (miRNAs) from cell-conditioned media'. MicroRNA, 2 (1):14-19 [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2012) 'Influence of stromal-epithelial interactions on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo'
Potter, SM,Dwyer, RM,Hartmann, MC,Khan, S,Boyle, MP,Curran, CE,Kerin, MJ (2012) 'Influence of stromal-epithelial interactions on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo'. Breast Cancer Research And Treatment, 131 :401-411 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2011) 'I nfluence of stromal-epithelial interactions on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo'
Potter SM, Dwyer RM, Hartmann MC, Khan S, Boyle MP, Curran CE and Kerin MJ. (2011) 'I nfluence of stromal-epithelial interactions on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo'. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, [Details]
(2010) 'Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer'
Dwyer RM, Khan S, Barry FP, O'Brien T, Kerin MJ (2010) 'Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer'. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 1 (3) [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer'
Dwyer RM, Khan S, Barry FP, O'Brien T and Kerin MJ (2010) 'Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer'. Stem Cell Research And Therapy, 1 (3) [Details]
(2010) 'Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumour microenvironment: stimulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)'
Martin, FT,Dwyer, RM,Kelly, J,Khan, S,Murphy, JM,Curran, C,Miller, N,Hennessy, E,Dockery, P,Barry, FP (2010) 'Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumour microenvironment: stimulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)'. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 124 (22):317-326 [Details]
(2010) 'Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumour microenvironment: stimulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)''
Martin FT, Dwyer RM, Kelly J, Khan S, Murphy JM, Curran C, Miller N, Hennessy E, Dockery P, Barry FP, O'Brien T, Kerin MJ (2010) 'Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumour microenvironment: stimulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)''. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 124 (2):317-326 [Details]
(2010) 'Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumour microenvironment: stimulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)'
Martin, FT,Dwyer, RM,Kelly, J,Khan, S,Murphy, JM,Curran, C,Miller, N,Hennessy, E,Dockery, P,Barry, FP,O'Brien, T,Kerin, MJ (2010) 'Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumour microenvironment: stimulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)'. Breast Cancer Research And Treatment, 124 :317-326 [DOI] [Details]
(2010) 'Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumour microenvironment: stimulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)'
Martin FT, Dwyer RM, Kelly J, Khan S, Murphy JM, Curran C, Miller N, Hennessy E, Dockery P, Barry FP, O'Brien T, Kerin MJ. (2010) 'Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the breast tumour microenvironment: stimulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)'. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 124 (2):317-26 [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2020) IACR
T.Samuel, F.Sullivan, R.Dalton, S.Khan, M.Newell, K.Dowd, D. R. Sangachin (2020) Accelerometer Based Monitoring of Physical Activity in Prostate Cancer: A Feasibility Study IACR [Details]

Abstract

  Year Publication
(2014) Investigation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell(MSC) presence and mode of action within the primary breast tumour microenvironment.
S. Khan, C.L. Brougham, L. Howard, P. Lalor, P. Dockery, M. Murphy, T. O’Brien, M.J. Kerin, R.M. Dwyer (2014) Investigation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell(MSC) presence and mode of action within the primary breast tumour microenvironment. Abstract [Details]

Book Review

  Year Publication
(2016) An evaluation of multiple novel markers expression on breast cancer recurrence and outcome.
Cuggy, C,Elwahab, SA,Khan, S,Dwyer, RM,Sweeney, KJ,McLaughlin, R,Kerins, MJ,Malone, C (2016) An evaluation of multiple novel markers expression on breast cancer recurrence and outcome. Book Review [Details]

Editorial

  Year Publication
(2017) Autologous Adipose Derived Stem Cells: A Viable Option for Breast Reconstruction in Breast Cancer Patients.
Courtney, DG,Khan, S,Dwyer, RM,Malone, C,Sweeney, K,Barry, K,Lowery, A,Kerin, M (2017) Autologous Adipose Derived Stem Cells: A Viable Option for Breast Reconstruction in Breast Cancer Patients. Editorial [Details]

Meeting

  Year Publication
(2013) Elevated expression of miR-106 and miR-202 in breast cancer.
McLoughlin, M,Glynn, CL,Waters, PS,Khan, S,Dwyer, RM,Kerin, MJ (2013) Elevated expression of miR-106 and miR-202 in breast cancer. Meeting [Details]
(2012) Active Secretion of MicroRNAs by Breast Cancer Cells.
Glynn, CL,Dwyer, RM,Khan, S,Kerin, MJ (2012) Active Secretion of MicroRNAs by Breast Cancer Cells. Meeting [Details]
(2012) Evaluation of MicroRNA Secretion From Cancer Cells in Vitro.
Glynn, CL,Dwyer, RM,Khan, SJ,Kerin, MJ (2012) Evaluation of MicroRNA Secretion From Cancer Cells in Vitro. Meeting [Details]
(2011) Cellular interactions in the primary tumour microenvironment.
Khan, S,Dwyer, RM,Sweeney, KJ,Kerin, MJ (2011) Cellular interactions in the primary tumour microenvironment. Meeting [Details]
(2010) BREAST TUMOUR STROMAL-EPITHELIAL INTERACTIONS STIMULATE INCREASED VEGF SECRETION AND ANGIOGENESIS IN VITRO AND IN VIVO.
Khan, S,Dwyer, RM,Potter, SM,Kerin, MJ (2010) BREAST TUMOUR STROMAL-EPITHELIAL INTERACTIONS STIMULATE INCREASED VEGF SECRETION AND ANGIOGENESIS IN VITRO AND IN VIVO. Meeting [Details]

Reviews

  Year Publication
(2010) Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer.
Dwyer, RM;Khan, S;Barry, FP;O'Brien, T;Kerin, MJ (2010) Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer. LONDON: BIOMED CENTRAL LTD Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2010) Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer. Stem Cell Res Ther.
Dwyer RM, Khan S, Barry FP, O'Brien T, Kerin MJ (2010) Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer. Stem Cell Res Ther. Reviews [Details]
(2010) Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer.
Dwyer, RM,Khan, S,Barry, FP,O'Brien, T,Kerin, MJ (2010) Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer. Reviews [DOI] [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2021 Aurora Women's Leadership Development Programme Leadership Foundation for Higher Education
2016 HRB Summer Student project Health Research Board (HRB)
2015 HRB Summer Student project Health Research Board (HRB)
2013 HRB/NCI Summer School in Cancer Prevention Health Research Board

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Irish Association of Cancer Research (IACR) Member 11-MAY-10 /
International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) Biobanking 04-JUN-17 /
European Association of Cancer Research (EACR) Member 09-JUN-10 /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
National University of Ireland, Galway Research Assistant 01-MAY-15 / 30-APR-14
National University of Ireland Galway Lecturer (Above the Bar) 20-JAN-21 /
NUI Galway Programme Manager 01-SEP-20 / 19-JAN-21
National University of Ireland, Galway Postdoctoral Researcher 02-JUN-14 / 28-APR-17
National University of Ireland Galway Lecturer (Fixed Term) 02-MAY-17 / 31-AUG-20

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Cancer Research PI Community Member 07-MAR-22 /
College Civic Engagement Committee Member 22-OCT-21 /
CMNHS Research Ethics Commitee Co-Chair of the Committee 04-FEB-18 /
Postgraduate Strategic Committee Member 07-MAY-17 /
Undergraduate Research Committee School of Medicine Committee member 03-NOV-14 / 01-APR-16

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2008 Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology BSc (Hons) Applied Biopharmaceutical and Healthcare Sciences
2020 National University of Ireland, Galway Diploma Teaching and Learning Online Teaching
2017 National University of Ireland, Galway Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching Teaching and Learning
2014 National University of Ireland Galway PhD Surgery
2009 National University of Ireland Galway Msc Regenerative Medicine

Languages

  Language
English
German

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Outreach Pint of Science 01-APR-15 /
Other EACR Correspondent 06-MAR-17 / 08-MAR-17
Outreach International Clinical Trials Day /
Research (e.g. Community based research) iHealthFacts 01-APR-20 /
Teaching (e.g. Service learning / comunity based learning) EMBO Practical course ¿Non-coding RNA¿s: From Discovery To Function 07-JUN-14 / 14-JUN-14
Outreach Breast Cancer Research charity /

Reviews

  Journal Role
Tumour biology : the journal of the International Society for Oncodevelopmental Biology and Medicine Reviewer
Technology In Cancer Research And Treatment Reviewer

Other Activities

  Description

Co-organised “Pint of Science” event in Galway 2015/16, was part of a national and international event. This was brought to Galway for the first time in 2015. My responsibilities were to organise the venue and promote the event through radio interviews and social media activities.

Site Management Coordinator for COMPASS Study which is coordinated by the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, Canada. The Clinical Trial is sponsored by Bayer AG. My role as site management coordinator is to ensure that site management aspects of the COMPASS study are conducted to maximise participant safety, data validity and quality and to ensure adherence to regulatory, ethical requirements and good clinical practice (GCP) in each of the participating countries. Our role is to monitor and manage sites in Ireland and the UK.

Facilitate the delivery and training of Good Clinical Practice sessions in NUI Galway. This training is facilitated by the HRB Clinical Research Facility 3-4 a year to ensure staff working on clinical trials are certified in GCP.

Teaching Interests

I apply blended learning to my modules which are delivered on the Masters in Clinical Research. for both Bio-Ethics (MD1600) and Biobanking – Advanced Clinical Application and Clinical Testing (MD1601), I have used KalturaCapture Space Software which is available through Blackboard to record lectures. Both modules are designed to offer students insight into the world of biobanking, module MD1600 is delivered in semester 1 and informs students in the ethics of biobanking research and importance of regulation, policy and best practice. This module is then complemented by a semester 2 module MD1601, which aims to further inform students on specific best practice guidelines and practical guidelines surrounding the application of biobanked specimens. I have collaborated with key academics in this discipline, who have provided short recordings on focused areas of research such as genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. These modules are further enhanced by fortnightly tutorials which are delivered via Collaborate Ultra on Blackboard. This web conferencing platform is an ideal classroom substitute that facilitates a meeting space for students to meet me and discuss the topics covered. I have key questions and scenarios prepared that I use to create discussion points. Feedback provided by students this year has been very positive, they enjoyed the tutorials and the fact that they were not isolated while taking this module.

Current Postgraduate Students (Taught)

  Name Degree Primary Supervisor
Sasna Saji Thomas
NIKETH JAYAN Nair MASTERS OF SCIENCE
Reenu Karakkattu Anil MASTERS OF SCIENCE
NIMISHA MARIA Vinod MASTERS OF SCIENCE
Aswathy Anandavally Venugopalan
Liny Thomas MASTERS OF SCIENCE
Nagaratna HT MASTERS OF SCIENCE
Jutty Plackal Varughese MASTERS OF SCIENCE
Krishnan Krishna Charan MASTERS OF SCIENCE
Krishnan Venkatesh Iyer MASTERS OF SCIENCE
Rajni Mamgain MASTERS OF SCIENCE
Nayela Nabi MASTERS OF SCIENCE
John Killilea MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
Prathyusha Nenduru MASTERS OF SCIENCE
Pavitra Kumar MASTERS OF SCIENCE
MYTHRI Shaji MASTERS OF SCIENCE
HSUEH-FU Wu

Recent Postgraduate Students

  Graduation Name Degree Primary Supervisor
2021 Tirin Babu MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2021 George Matthew MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2020 Sirisha Bellamkonda MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2020 Chen Kai Meen MASTERS OF SCIENCE
2020 Chiaw Woon Teh MASTERS OF SCIENCE
2019 Niamh Hurney MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2020 Pradeep Reddy MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2019 Brundha Papa Reddy MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2020 Sravya Pudota MASTERS OF SCIENCE
2020 Aditya Kodumagulla MASTERS OF SCIENCE
2019 Josephine Carroll MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2021 Rosie Moran MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2018 Mary Connaughton MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2021 Praveen Kumar Valeti MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2020 Rehab Osman MASTERS OF SCIENCE
2020 Ritika Ranjan MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2021 Niamh O'Sullivan MASTERS OF SCIENCE Y
2019 Thomas Samuel MASTERS OF SCIENCE

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
2015/2016 Biochemistry BG110 Recombinant DNA Technology
2017-present Clinical Research Administration MD517 Clinical Trial Regulation, Drug Discovery and Developmment, Clinical Trial Auditing and Monitoring
2017-present Thesis MD520
2019-2020 Introduction to Systematic Reviews MD537
2017-present Systematic Review MD515
2018-present Biobank– Advanced Clinical Application and Clinical Testing MD1601 This module is designed to provide an overview of biobank processes, equipment, facilities and methodology for the purposes of clinical research. The module has been designed to provide learner with the capacity to critically evaluate the clinical environment, process and procedures in which specimens are obtained transported, stored, tested and analysed.
2019-present Introduction to the Ethical and Regulatory Frameworks of Clinical Research MD1602
2018-present Bio-Ethics MD1600 This module will provide a comprehensive introduction to bio-ethics in the context of clinical research sciences. The module will instil the importance of balancing the need to advance our knowledge of medicine against the legal and ethical mandate to protect society.
2017-present Independent Study MD519
2015/2017 Surgical Lab skills I MD560 MicroRNA Lecture

Internal Collaborators

  Name Description of Collaboration
Nicola Miller
Biobanking Research