Dr. John Baugh | UCD Conway

Research

Dr John Andrew Baugh BSc, PhD

Contact Details

Title	Lecturer
Address	School of Medicine & Medical Science Conway Institute Belfield Dublin 4
Telephone:	Ext. 6729
Email:	ei.dcu@hguab.nhoj

Biography:

Research Interests

Our research group is interested in the mechanisms involved in the onset and progression of aberrant tissue remodelling in inflammatory lung diseases. In particular, we are trying to elucidate the mechanisms that control fibroblast activation, proliferation and differentiation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Disease progression in IPF is associated with alveolar epithelial damage followed by the development of areas of fibroblast proliferation and differentiation. Tissue damage leads to increased matrix deposition, and ultimately severe derangement of gas exchange units. Loss of alveolar function leads to impaired ventilation, decreased lung function and both systemic and local tissue hypoxia.

There are two main projects related to inflammatory gene expression in the lung. The first is focused upon understanding the transcriptional regulation of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene. We recently described a functional tetranucleotide-repeat element in the MIF promoter that correlates with disease severity in inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, and are seeking to elucidate the mechanism by which this polymorphism affects gene expression.

Extending from these studies on the regulation of MIF expression the second main project is based upon the effects of hypoxia on pro-inflammatory gene expression in primary human lung fibroblasts derived from patients with various respiratory pathologies. The lungs are exquisitely sensitive to changes in atmospheric and blood oxygen levels and normally respond in order to maintain health of the organism. In some inflammatory lung diseases, however, it is believed that abnormal responses to hypoxia may contribute to exacerbated inflammation and aberrant tissue remodelling. We are particularly interested in elucidating mechanisms by which hypoxia may drive aberrant remodelling in diseases such as IPF.

FUNDING AGENCIES:
SFI-STAR
HRB
HRB Equipment
IRCSET
Irish Lung Foundation

Research Projects

Sponsor : Irish Heart Foundation
Title : The role of Serum Amyloid P-Component in the prevention and treatment of diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure
Start Date / End Date : 01-JUL-10 / 30-JUN-12

Sponsor : Irish Cardiac Society (ICS)
Title : Boston Scientific Research Bursary
Start Date / End Date : 01-SEP-10 / 01-SEP-12

Sponsor : Health Research Board (HRB)
Title : The role of Serum Amyloid P-Component in the prevention and treatment of diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure.
Start Date / End Date : 01-JUL-11 / 30-JUN-13

Sponsor : Health Research Board (HRB)
Title : Biomarkers for the prevention of heart failure
Start Date / End Date : 01-OCT-11 / 30-SEP-14

Sponsor : University College Dublin (UCD)
Title : 5'-azacytidine as a novel treatment for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Start Date / End Date : 01-MAY-12 / 31-OCT-13

Sponsor : Enterprise Ireland (EI) Title : Biomarkers of heart Failure and Cardiovascular Disease Start Date / End Date : 01-APR-12 / 31-MAR-13
Sponsor : University College Dublin (UCD) Title : Biomarkers for the Prevention of Heart Failure Start Date / End Date : 17-MAY-10 / 16-NOV-11
Sponsor : University College Dublin (UCD) Title : Attendance of European Respiratory Society Annual Congress 2009 Start Date / End Date : 03-AUG-09 / 31-JAN-11
Sponsor : Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) Title : Role of b-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) in the development of Diastolic Heart Failure Start Date / End Date : 01-OCT-08 / 30-SEP-11
Sponsor : University College Dublin (UCD) Title : Role of EMT in Cardiac Fibrosis; Start Date / End Date : 01-JUL-08 / 30-JUN-09
Sponsor : HEA/PRTLI Cycle 4 Grant Title : Biomedical Sciences Network Start Date / End Date : 01-JUL-08 / 30-JUN-11
Sponsor : University College Dublin (UCD) Title : In vivo models of hypoxic lung disease Start Date / End Date : 26-MAY-08 / 01-DEC-09
Sponsor : Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Title : The role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in aberrant pulmonary vascular remodelling and the pathogenesis of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension Start Date / End Date : 01-MAY-07 / 31-OCT-10
Sponsor : A. Menarini Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd. Title : Prevention of Heart Failure Start Date / End Date : 11-AUG-06 / 10-AUG-08
Sponsor : The Heartbeat Trust Title : Role of Myoxardial Fibrosis in Diastolic Dysfunction Start Date / End Date : 01-JUL-06 / 31-JUL-12
Sponsor : Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Title : Live cell imaging of lung cell transformation when deprived of oxygen Start Date / End Date : 01-JUN-05 / 31-AUG-05
Sponsor : Health Research Board (HRB) Title : Regulation of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Expression Start Date / End Date : 01-OCT-04 / 30-SEP-07
Sponsor : Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) Title : Hypoxic regulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and its role in fibroproliferation Start Date / End Date : 01-OCT-04 / 30-SEP-07
Sponsor : Irish Lung Foundation Title : Human MIF promoter polymorphisms and chronic Inflammatory Lung Disease Start Date / End Date : 01-DEC-03 / 31-DEC-04
Sponsor : Health Research Board (HRB) Title : Hypoxic regulation of airway epithelial injury and EMT in pulmonary fibrosis Start Date / End Date : 01-OCT-06 / 30-SEP-09
Sponsor : Irish Lung Foundation Title : The role of Hypoxia in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis Start Date / End Date : 01-SEP-06 / 31-AUG-07
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Current Postgraduate Students

Stephen Horgan, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Thesis Supervisor

Roisin Neary, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Thesis Supervisor

Book Chapters

J.A. Baugh; (2007) 'Gene Structure and Functional MIF Polymorphisms in Respiratory Disease' In: Richard Bucala (eds). MIF: A Most Interesting Factor. Singapore: World Scientific. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

Collier, P,Watson, CJ,Voon, V,Phelan, D,Jan, A,Mak, G,Martos, R,Baugh, JA,Ledwidge, MT,McDonald, KM; (2011) 'Can emerging biomarkers of myocardial remodelling identify asymptomatic hypertensive patients at risk for diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure?'. European Journal of Heart Failure, 13 :1087-1095. [DOI] [Details]

Watson, CJ,Ledwidge, MT,Phelan, D,Collier, P,Byrne, JC,Dunn, MJ,McDonald, KM,Baugh, JA; (2011) 'Proteomic Analysis of Coronary Sinus Serum Reveals Leucine-Rich alpha 2-Glycoprotein as a Novel Biomarker of Ventricular Dysfunction and Heart Failure'. Heart, 4 :188-126. [DOI] [Details]

Martos, R,Baugh, J,Ledwidge, M,O'Loughlin, C,Murphy, NF,Conlon, C,Patle, A,Donnelly, SC,McDonald, K; (2009) 'Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: improved accuracy with the use of markers of collagen turnover'. European Journal of Heart Failure, 11 :191-197. [DOI] [Details]

Watson JA, Watson CJ, McCann A, Baugh J; (2010) 'Epigenetics, the epicenter of the hypoxic response'. Epigenetics : official journal of the DNA Methylation Society, 5 (4):293-296. [Details]

Watson, JA,Watson, CJ,McCrohan, AM,Woodfine, K,Tosetto, M,McDaid, J,Gallagher, E,Betts, D,Baugh, J,O'Sullivan, J,Murrell, A,Watson, RWG,McCann, A; (2009) 'Generation of an epigenetic signature by chronic hypoxia in prostate cells'. Gene, 18 (NA):3594-3604. [DOI] [Details]

Mak, GJ,Ledwidge, MT,Watson, CJ,Phelan, DM,Dawkins, IR,Murphy, NF,Patle, AK,Baugh, JA,McDonald, KM; (2009) 'Natural History of Markers of Collagen Turnover in Patients With Early Diastolic Dysfunction and Impact of Eplerenone'. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 54 :1674-1682. [DOI] [Details]
Kevill, K. A., Bhandari, V., Kettunen, M., Leng, L., Fan, J., Mizue, Y., Dzuira, J. D., Reyes-Mugica, M., McDonald, C. L., Baugh, J. A., O'Connor, C. L., Aghai, Z. H., Donnelly, S. C., Bazzy-Asaad, A., Bucala, R. J., ; (2008) 'A role for macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the neonatal respiratory distress syndrome'. Immunology, 180 (1):601-608. [Details]
Armstrong, M. E., Gantier, M., Li, L. L., Chung, W. Y., McCann, A., Baugh, J. A., Donnelly, S. C., ; (2008) 'Small interfering RNAs induce macrophage migration inhibitory factor production and proliferation in breast cancer cells via a double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase-dependent mechanism'. Immunology, 180 (11):7125-7133. [Details]
Baugh JA, Byrne JD, ; (2008) 'The significance of nanoparticles in particle-induced pulmonary fibrosis'. McGill journal of medicine : MJM : an international forum for the advancement of medical sciences by students, 11 (1):43-50. [Details]
Gantier, MP,Baugh, JA,Donnelly, SC; (2007) 'Nuclear transcription of long hairpin RNA triggers innate immune responses'. Cytokine, 27 :789-797. [DOI] [Details]
Martos, R; Baugh, J; Ledwidge, M; O'Loughlin, C; Conlon, C; Patle, A; Donnelly, SC; McDonald, K; ; (2007) 'Diastolic heart failure - Evidence of increased myocardial collagen turnover linked to diastolic dysfunction'. Circulation, 115 (7):888-895. [Details]
Govender, P.,Baugh, J. A.,Pennington, S. R.,Dunn, M. J.,Donnelly, S. C.; (2007) 'Role of proteomics in the investigation of pulmonary fibrosis'. Expert Rev Proteomics, 4 (3):379-88. [Details]
Plant, BJ,Ghani, S,O'Mahony, MJ,Morgan, L,O'Connor, CM,Morgan, K,Baugh, JA,Donnelly, SC; (2007) 'Sarcoidosis and MIF gene polymorphism: a case-control study in an Irish population'. EUR RESPIR J, 29 :325-329. [DOI] [Details]
Baugh, JA; Gantier, M; Li, L; Byrne, A; Buckley, A; Donnelly, SC; ; (2006) 'Dual regulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression in hypoxia by CREB and HIF-1'. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 347 (4):895-903. [Details]
Martos, R; Patle, A; Baugh, J; Ledwidge, M; Loughlin, CO; Conlon, C; Donnelly, S; Mc Donald, K; ; (2006) 'The role of myocardial fibrotic markers in detecting different stages of diastolic dysfunction in a hypertensive population'. European Heart Journal, 27 (NA):300-300. [Details]
Plant, B.J., Ghani, S., O'mahony, M.J., Morgan, L., O'connor, C.M., Morgan, K., Baugh, J.A. Donnelly, S.C.; (2006) 'Sarcoidosis and a MIF gene polymorphism: a case-control study in an Irish Population'. EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL, . [Details]
Plant, BJ; Gallagher, CG; Bucala, R; Baugh, JA; Chappell, S; Morgan, L; O'Connor, CM; Morgan, K; Donnelly, SC; ; (2005) 'Cystic fibrosis, disease severity, and a macrophage migration inhibitory factor polymorphism'. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 172 (11):1412-1415. [Details]
Mizue, Y; Ghani, S; Leng, L; McDonald, C; Kong, P; Baugh, J; Lane, SJ; Craft, J; Nishihira, J; Donnelly, SC; Zhu, Z; Bucala, R; ; (2005) 'Role for macrophage migration inhibitory factor in asthma'. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 102 (40):14410-14415. [Details]
Martos, R; Baugh, J; O'Loughlin, C; Ledwidge, M; Donnelly, S; McDonald, K; ; (2005) 'Diastolic heart failure is associated with elevated serum markers of collagen turnover'. European Heart Journal, 26 (NA):602-602. [Details]
Plant, BJ; Baugh, JA; Chappell, S; Morgan, L; Keatings, V; O'Connor, C; Morgan, K; Donnelly, SC; ; (2004) 'The role of a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) functional polymorphism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease'. Thorax, 59 (1):69-69. [Details]
Baugh, JA; Donnelly, SC; ; (2003) 'Macrophage migration inhibitory factor: a neuroendocrine modulator of chronic inflammation'. Journal of Endocrinology, 179 (1):15-23. [Details]
Leng, L,Metz, CN,Fang, Y,Xu, J,Donnelly, S,Baugh, J,Delohery, T,Chen, YB,Mitchell, RA,Bucala, R; (2003) 'MIF signal transduction initiated by binding to CD74'. Experimental Medicine, 197 :1467-1476. [DOI] [Details]
Plant, BJ; Gallagher, CG; Baugh, JA; Plummer, S; Morgan, L; O'Connor, C; Morgan, K; Donnelly, SC; ; (2003) 'The role of a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) functional polymorphism in adult cystic fibrosis disease severity'. Thorax, 58 (NA):20-20. [Details]
Leng, L; Metz, CN; Fang, Y; Xu, J; Donnelly, S; Baugh, J; Delohery, T; Chen, YB; Mitchell, RA; Bucala, R; ; (2003) 'MIF signal transduction initiated by binding to CD74'. Experimental Medicine, 197 (11):1467-1476. [Details]
Baugh JA, Chitnis S, Donnelly SC, Monteiro J, Lin X, Plant BJ, Wolfe F, Gregersen PK, Bucala R. ; (2002) 'A functional promoter polymorphism in the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene associated with disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis'. Genes and Immunity, 3 (3):170-176. [Details]
Baugh JA, Bucala R. ; (2001) 'Mechanisms for modulating TNF alpha in immune and inflammatory disease'. Current Opinion in Drug Discovery and Development, 4 (5):635-650. [Details]
Mostad, SB,Jackson, S,Overbaugh, J,Reilly, M,Chohan, B,Mandaliya, K,Nyange, P,Ndinya-Achola, J,Bwayo, JJ,Kreiss, JK; (1998) 'Cervical and vaginal shedding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected cells throughout the menstrual cycle'. The Journal of infectious diseases, 178 :983-991. [Details]
Plant, BJ; Ghani, S; O'Mahony, MJ; Morgan, L; O'Connor, CM; Morgan, K; Baugh, JA; Donnelly, SC; ; (2007) 'Sarcoidosis and MIF gene polymorphism: a case-control study in an Irish population'. European Respiratory Journal, 29 (2):325-329. [Details]
Martos, R; Patle, A; Baugh, J; Ledwidge, M; Loughlin, CO; Conlon, C; Donnelly, S; Mc Donald, K; ; (2006) 'The role of myocardial fibrotic markers in detecting different stages of diastolic dysfunction in a hypertensive population'. European Heart Journal, 27 (NA):300-300. [Details]
Martos, R; Baugh, J; Ledwidge, M; Loughlin, CO; Conlon, C; Donnelly, S; Mc Donald, K; ; (2006) 'Elevated plasma markers of matrix metalloproteinases type 2 and 9 are independent predictors of diastolic heart failure'. European Heart Journal, 27 (NA):844-844. [Details]
Martos, R; Baugh, J; O'Loughlin, C; Ledwidge, M; Donnelly, S; McDonald, K; ; (2005) 'Diastolic heart failure is associated with elevated serum markers of collagen turnover'. European Heart Journal, 26 (NA):602-602. [Details]
Plant, BJ; Gallagher, CG; Bucala, R; Baugh, JA; Chappell, S; Morgan, L; O'Connor, CM; Morgan, K; Donnelly, SC; ; (2005) 'Cystic fibrosis, disease severity, and a macrophage migration inhibitory factor polymorphism'. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 172 (11):1412-1415. [Details]
Mizue, Y; Ghani, S; Leng, L; McDonald, C; Kong, P; Baugh, J; Lane, SJ; Craft, J; Nishihira, J; Donnelly, SC; Zhu, Z; Bucala, R; ; (2005) 'Role for macrophage migration inhibitory factor in asthma'. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 102 (40):14410-14415. [Details]
Geall, AJ; Baugh, JA; Loyevsky, M; Gordeuk, VR; Al-Abed, Y; Bucala, R; ; (2004) 'Targeting malaria with polyamines'. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 15 (6):1161-1165. [Details]
Pan JH, Lindholt JS, Sukhova GK, Baugh JA, Henneberg EW, Bucala R, Donnelly SC, Libby P, Metz C, Shi GP. ; (2003) 'Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is associated with aneurysmal expansion'. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 37 (3):628-635. [Details]
Leng, L; Metz, CN; Fang, Y; Xu, J; Donnelly, S; Baugh, J; Delohery, T; Chen, YB; Mitchell, RA; Bucala, R; ; (2003) 'MIF signal transduction initiated by binding to CD74'. Experimental Medicine, 197 (11):1467-1476. [Details]
O'Reilly, KMA; Baugh, JA; Plant, BJ; Fitzgerald, MX; Bucala, R; Donnelly, SC; ; (2002) 'Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor induces proliferation and has pro-fibrotic effects in primary human pulmonary fibroblasts'. Thorax, 57 (NA). [Details]
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Other Journals

Byrne JD, Baugh JA; (2008) 'The significance of nanoparticles in particle-induced pulmonary fibrosis' McGill Journal of Medicine 11 (1) :43-50. [Details]

Conference Publications

Adamali HI, Baugh J, Fingerle-Rowson G, McLoughlin P, Donnelly SC; (2008) Enzymatic actvity of macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) regulates growth of pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa): implications for therapeutic interventions in cystic fibrosis American Thoracic Society International Conference [Details]

Phelan, D, Watson, CJ, Donnelly, S, Ledwidge, M, Baugh, J, Mcdonald, K, ; (2007) EUR J HEART FAIL Transforming growth factor beta induces collagen type I and alpha smooth muscle actin production in human cardiac fibroblasts , pp.101-101 [Details]

Watson, CJ, Phelan, DMJ, Ledwidge, M, Donnelly, S, Mcdonald, K, Baugh, J, ; (2007) EUR J HEART FAIL Increased MMP2 activity following treatment of cardiac fibroblast with Angiotensin II, Alclosterone, Endothelin-1 and TGF beta , pp.101-101 [Details]

Byrne, A., Li, L., Gantier, M., Donnelly, S.C. Baugh, J.A.; (2006) Hypoxia-Induced Fibroroliferation is Rho Dependent and Augmented by Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) American Thoracic Society [Details]

Li, L., O'Reilly, KMA., Buckley, A., Byrne, A.B., McLaughlin, A.M., Kettunen, M.P, Govender, P., Baugh, J.A., Donnelly, S.C.; (2006) Sarcoidosis Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) Fluid Induces the Differentiation of Normal Human Primary Lung Fibroblasts into Myofibroblasts American Thoracic Society [Details]

Li, L., Byrne, A., O'Reilly, K.M.A., Donnelly S.C. Baugh, J.A.; (2006) Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factory (MFI) is an early growth response-1 (EGR-1) target gene in TGFb activated human lung fibroblasts American Thoracic Society [Details]
Byrne, A., Li, L., Gantier, M., Buckley, A., O'Reilly, K., Donnelly, S.C. Baugh, J.A.; (2006) Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF): A Hypoxia Regulated Mediator of Pulmonary Fibrosis Hypoxia and Development, Physiology and Disease (Keystone) [Details]
Kettunen, M., Brennan, L., Govender, P., Newsholme, P., Baugh, J.A. Donnelly S.C.; (2006) 1H NMR Analysis of BAL Fluid as a Potential Prognostic Tool in Sarcoidosis American Thoracic Society [Details]
Martos, R., Baugh, J., Ledwidge, M., O'Loughlin, C., Conlon, C., Donnelly, S. McDonald, K.; (2006) Elevated plasma markers of matrix metalloproteinases type 2 and 9 are independent predictors of diastolic heart failure Heart Failure Congress [Details]
Martos, R., Baugh, J., Ledwidge, M., Patle, A., O'Loughlin, C., Donnelly, S. McDonald, K.; (2005) Brain natriuretic peptide levels correlate with indices of diastolic function and serum markers of increased collagen turnover Irish Cardiac Society [Details]
Martos, R., Baugh, J., Ledwidge, M., O'Loughlin, C., Donnelly, S. McDonald, K.; (2005) Diastolic Heart failure is associated with elevated serum markers of collagen turnover Heart Failure Congress [Details]
Martos, R., Baugh, J., Ledwidge, M., O'Loughlin, C., Donnelly, S. McDonald, K.; (2005) Diastolic Heart failure is associated with elevated serum markers of collagen turnover World Congress of Cardiology [Details]
Martos, R., Baugh, J., Ledwidge, M., O'Loughlin, C., Donnelly, S. McDonald, K.; (2005) Diastolic Heart failure is associated with elevated serum markers of collagen turnover Irish Cardiac Society [Details]
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Education

Year 1999 Institution: University of Bath, UK
Qualification: PhD Subject:

Year 1995 Institution: University of Bath, UK
Qualification: BSc Subject:

Internal Collaborators

Lili Li lili.li@ucd.ie - Post-doc

PatrickCollier patrick.collier@ucd.ie - MMI funded Post-grad

Chris Watson chris.watson@ucd.ie - Post-doc

Nadezhda Glezeva nadezhda.glezeva.ucd.ie - IRCSET Post-grad

Claire Robinson claire.robinson@ucd.ie - SMMS Post

Maojia Xu maojia.xu@ucd.ie - Research Assistant

External Collaborators

Teaching Philosophy

In summary, my teaching philosophy is to utilise student-centered learning wherever possible in order to stimulate interest and maintain student attention.

Modules Coordinated

201200 PHYS30190 Physiology: Experimental Physiology

201200 PHYS40060 Physiology: Physiology Research Project

201200 PHYS40070 Physiology: Physiology Jt Hons Project

201200 PHYS20050 Physiology: Cell-cell Comm & Signalling

Enhancement of Teaching

PHYS20050 (320 students stage 2 Medicine) Given the diversity of my audience, and the appreciation that not all students do well in classical large lecture theatre situations, I use as many animations/videos/graphics as possible. In this way I hope that I can stimulate the interest of my students and maintain their attention. In response to student feedback I have also introduced small group tutorials. Annual review of my curriculum and grade distributions with my colleagues and our external examiner, as well as analysis of essay responses, has helped me refine my module content and level, and assessment structure. Peer mentoring from colleagues (Dr. Amanda McCann, Dr. Stuart Bund) has encouraged me that I am good at explaining complex concepts but warned me that I often include too much information. I try to play to my strengths whilst reducing the content of my lectures. I believe it is better that the students understand the concepts than become overloaded with information. PHYS30190 (25 students Stage 3 Science) I have made a significant effort to improve student understanding of the principles of research by developing a new experimental physiology module. This module allows one-on-one practical tuition which improves student¿s ability to fully engage with fourth year research projects and graduate as effective Physiologists. By challenging students in a research environment I encourage independent learning and critical thinking. In response to student feedback I have now supplemented this intensive laboratory-based module with weekly tutorials that focus more on theory and presentation/communication skills.

Review and Enhancement of Curriculum

As PHYS20050 is a diverse module it is crucial that it is integrated within the medicine curriculum. Over the last year I have altered content to integrate with the parallel biochemistry module (Molecules in medicine) and extensively reviewed the immunology content of the medicine curriculum with Dr. Clare O¿Connor, Dr. Helen Gallagher. We have now restructured the immunology content of three modules, including PHYS20050, to allow a progressive development in content and eliminate duplication of material. During this process the learning objectives of all modules were clarified and the level of content in both modules more closely aligned with the stage expectations. PHYS20050 is now designed to complement large class lectures with smaller computer-aided learning sessions and parallel small group tutorials. Tutorial sessions are complemented with online interactive simulations/tutorials. Student progress is assessed via a true/false MCQ. The content of later tutorials is guided by the MCQ results and final assessment is in the form of best of five MCQ that tests depth and breadth of knowledge. Module Development Two of the main strengths I bring to UCD are my background in molecular and cellular biology, and my translational medicine research activity. When I started supervising fourth year Physiology research students I was struck by their lack of practical experience. In an attempt to address this and increase their knowledge of modern molecular physiology I have developed a stage 3 experimental module (PHYS30190) which is designed to help students become proficient in experimental design, problem solving, team work, and scientific writing. This is achieved by working with students in the laboratory and challenging them to run experiments, collect data and write full reports. After three years running this module it is apparent that when these students enter fourth year they

Developing as a Teacher

A significant driver of my development as a teacher is student feedback and peer mentoring. I find that anonymous student feedback and grading essay papers are the best way of highlighting what I am doing wrong (and right) as a lecturer. I always discuss feedback with senior colleagues in order to learn from their experience. In addition I actively engage with my Physiology colleagues at monthly staff meetings and end of semester exam review boards in order to keep up to date with best practise in teaching and assessment, and curriculum design. I keep up to date with my subject area by regularly attending and presenting at conferences. At a programme level I have attended several School of Medicine Teaching and Learning workshops and have been involved in curriculum review and module mapping. As a Mentor I have been involved in training twenty Demonstrators and several Post-doctoral Fellows in the area of small group teaching. Teaching them how to better engage with students and enhance learning on my modules has forced me to interrogate and enhance my own methods of teaching.

Innovation & Leadership

My most significant contributions to innovation and leadership in teaching and learning have come in the area of Post-graduate education. In this area I have played a significant role in developing and implementing the Translational Medicine PhD programme in UCD and improving the quality of PhD graduates across the School of Medicine and Medical Science.