I was born in the Republic of Ireland and migrated to Australia and finished by tertiary education at the University of Western Australia. I completed by Honours research degree at the University of Western Australia in the Bio-nanoscience and Taylor Laboratory in collaboration with Medigrowth. My project focused on profiling the metabolome of neurons exposed to cannabidiol (CBD), and identified a unique cellular metabolic profile not yet established in the scientific literature. My main inspiration for entering the research world was to engage, support and accelerate the success of small or start-up biotech firms in-particular those that focused on therapeutic applications. As previously stated, my Honours research led to the identification of a distinct metabolic effect not observed in the scientific literature for Medigrowth’s CBD oil. These findings led to a transition for my PhD which is focusing on the therapeutic effectiveness of Medigrowth’s CBD oil for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In-addition, my focus on metabolomics has led to further collaboration with Cortical Labs with a focus on improving their CL1 system with newly developed 3D culture technologies, with the penultima to correlate how Meidgrowth’s CBD oil induces small molecule changes with overall cerebral organoid function. The centre will play a critical role in facilitating the current projects providing access to experts and technologies crucial to the completion and success of my PhD and organisations involved in its formation.
