Jump to Content

Staff Profiles

DR MARIA BARRETT

Ph.D

Biography

Highly motivated and detail-oriented scientist with an advanced knowledge in environmental molecular biology.

Posses a keen interest in research projects concerning denitrification, soil & water quality, plant & microbe interaction, impact of agricultural land management practices, qPCR assay development and gene expression, and the persistence of pathogenic bacteria and human pathogenic viruses in the environment.

Several years of experience in soil and groundwater microbiology, focusing on nitrogen and nutrient cycling in agricultural systems in addition to plant- microbe interactions. Currently examining the ecology of functional microbial communities in contaminated soil, mainly that of E. coli, nitrifers, denitrifers and examining the microbial quality of groundwater and drinking water. Involved in studies focusing on the microbial biochemical processes and community dynamics in soils and in aquatic systems.

Extensive in-depth knowledge regarding national and international research systems. Through partaking in several training courses I have participated in European technology platforms. I have foreseen key potential research opportunities and assembled multidisciplinary teams in advance of funding calls to ensure a exceptional application was submitted on time.

I have over 9 years experience teaching and supervising both undergraduates and postgraduate students in a range of subjects ranging from environmental science and microbiology, biochemistry, engineering and medical microbiology.

I have lectured both in microbiology and in environmental engineering and have extensive experiencing dealing with large and small class numbers. To these courses I have added my own unique input and experience in these fields as well as practical lab based experience.I have aided in the design of new innovative strategies to deal with increasing student numbers and implemented these to completion.

Specialities: Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Metagenomic analysis, Genetic Engineering, QPCR, Protein analysis, Gene expression analysis,Lab management.

Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2016)	'Effect of carbon amendment and soil depth on the distribution of denitrifers and the emission of N2 and N2O using nirK, nirS, and nosZ functional markers' Barrett, M., Jahangir, M.M.R., Khalil, M.I., Lee, C., Cardenas, L.M. , Collins, G., Richards, K., and O’Flaherty, V. (2016) 'Effect of carbon amendment and soil depth on the distribution of denitrifers and the emission of N2 and N2O using nirK, nirS, and nosZ functional markers'. Environmental Science And Pollution Research, [Details]
	(2016)	'Detection and inactivation of pathogenic Norovirus employing UV tertiary treatment in wastewater treatment facilities' Barrett M., Fitzhenry K., O’Flaherty V., Dore W., Keaveney S., Cormican M., Clifford E. (2016) 'Detection and inactivation of pathogenic Norovirus employing UV tertiary treatment in wastewater treatment facilities'. Science Of The Total Environment, [Details]
	(2014)	'Optimizing Nitrate Removal and Evaluating Pollution Swapping Trade-Offs From Laboratory Denitrification Bioreactors' Healy M.G., Barrett M., Lanigan G., Serrenho A., Ibrahim T.G., Thornton S.F, Rolfe S.A, Huang W.E., Fenton O. (2014) 'Optimizing Nitrate Removal and Evaluating Pollution Swapping Trade-Offs From Laboratory Denitrification Bioreactors'. Ecological Engineering, [Details]
	(2014)	'Abundance of denitrification genes under different peizometer depths in four Irish agricultural groundwater sites' Barrett, M., Jahangir, M.M.R., Lee, C., Smith, C.J., Bhreathnach, N., Collins, G., Richards, K.G., O'Flaherty, V. (2014) 'Abundance of denitrification genes under different peizometer depths in four Irish agricultural groundwater sites'. Environmental Science And Pollution Research, [Details]
	(2014)	'Detection and removal of pathogenic norovirus employing tertiary treatment in wastewater and water treatment facilities' Fitzhenry K., Barrett M., O’Flaherty V., Dore W., Keaveney S., Cormican M., Clifford E (2014) 'Detection and removal of pathogenic norovirus employing tertiary treatment in wastewater and water treatment facilities'. Water Science And Technology, [Details]
	(2014)	'Assessment of the Impact of Traditional Septic Tank Soakaway Systems on Water Quality in Ireland' Keegan M., Kilroy K., Nolan D., O’Flaherty V., Dubber D., Johnston P.M, Misstear B.D.R, Barrett M., Gill L.W (2014) 'Assessment of the Impact of Traditional Septic Tank Soakaway Systems on Water Quality in Ireland'. Water Science And Technology, [Details]
	(2013)	'Denitrification and indirect N2O emissions in groundwater: Hydrologic and biogeochemical influences' Jahangir M.M.R., Johnston P., Barrett M., Khalil M.I., Groffman P.M., Boeckx P., Fenton O. , Murphy J., Richards K.G. (2013) 'Denitrification and indirect N2O emissions in groundwater: Hydrologic and biogeochemical influences'. Journal Of Contaminant Hydrology, [Details]
	(2013)	'Denitrification and N2O emissions in groundwater: hydrologic and biogeochemical influences' Jahangir, M.M.R., Johnston, P., Barrett, M., Khalil, M.I., Groffman, P., Boeckx, P., Fenton, O. (2013) 'Denitrification and N2O emissions in groundwater: hydrologic and biogeochemical influences'. Journal Of Contaminant Hydrology, [Details]
	(2013)	'Denitrification potential in subsoils: a mechanism to reduce nitrate leaching to groundwater' Jahangir, M.M.R., M.I. Khalil, P.M. Johnston, L.M. Cardenas, M. Butler, D. Hatch, M. Barrett, V. O’Flaherty, K.G Richards. (2013) 'Denitrification potential in subsoils: a mechanism to reduce nitrate leaching to groundwater'. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, [Details]

Conference Publications

	Year	Publication
	(2015)	*11th IWA Conference on Small Water & Wastewater Systems and Sludge Management* Keegan M., Kilroy K., Gill L.W, Nolan D., O’Flaherty V., Dubber D., Johnston P.M, Misstear B.D.R, Barrett M. (2015) Assessment of the Impact of Traditional Septic Tank Soakaway Systems on Water Quality in Ireland 11th IWA Conference on Small Water & Wastewater Systems and Sludge Management [Details]
	(2015)	*SGM* Kilroy K., Keegan M., Dubber D., Barrett M., Gill L.W, O’Flaherty V. (2015) The impact of traditional septic tank soakaway systems and the effects of remediation on water quality in Ireland SGM [Details]
	(2015)	*11th IWA Conference on Small Water & Wastewater Systems and Sludge Management* Keegan M., Kilroy K., Dubber D., Barrett M., Gill L.W, O’Flaherty V. (2015) Assessment of the Impact of Traditional Septic Tank Soakaway Systems on Water Quality in Ireland 11th IWA Conference on Small Water & Wastewater Systems and Sludge Management [Details]
	(2014)	*Soil Sciences of America, Onsite wastewater conference* Farrell S.A, Siegrist R.L, Lowe K.S, Barrett M. (2014) Quantifying Rates of Denitrification and Microbial Activity in the Biozone and Shallow Subsurface within Soil Treatment Units Used for Wastewater Reclamation Soil Sciences of America, Onsite wastewater conference [Details]
	(2012)	*ISME14 – The power of the small* Barrett M., Fitzhenry K., O’Flaherty V., Dore W., Keaveney S., Cormican M., Clifford E. (2012) Employing UV and filtration systems in the treatment and removal of the pathogenic noroviruses from sewage waste ISME14 – The power of the small [Details]
	(2011)	*AGU* Barrett M., Keegan M., Kilroy K., O’Flaherty V., Dubber D., Johnston P.M, Gill L.W (2011) Understanding microbial denitrification and pathogen transport in effluent and soils. International Symposium on Domestic Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems AGU [Details]
	(2010)	*AGU 2010* Barrett, M., Jahangir, M.M.R., Richards, K.G., O'Flaherty, V. (2010) N2O and N2 production and quantification of denitrifying populations in various aquifer systems AGU 2010 [Details]

Published Reports

	Year	Publication
	(2016)	An examination of current WWTP disinfection systems for the removal/ inactivation of human pathogenic viruses. Barrett, M. Fitzhenry K., O’Flaherty V., Dore W., Keaveney S., Cormican M., Clifford E. (2016) An examination of current WWTP disinfection systems for the removal/ inactivation of human pathogenic viruses. EPA, EPA. [Details]
	(2016)	The occurrence and removal of human pathogenic viruses in wastewater treatment plants. Barrett, M., Fitzhenry K., O’Flaherty V., Dore W., Keaveney S., Cormican M., Clifford E. (2016) The occurrence and removal of human pathogenic viruses in wastewater treatment plants. EPA, EPA. [Details]