LabCon Biennial Conference 2024: Friday 4th and Saturday 5th of October
Registration Opens from 09:00
Plenary Session 1: 10:30 – 12:30
Speaker 1: Prof Martin Cormican: Update on Laboratory Services Reform Programme
Speaker 2: Kim Coogan: Understanding the Next Generation of Workers
Panel Discussion
Prof Martin Cormican: HSE Lead for Laboratory Services Reform
Martin Cormican graduated from the School of Medicine in University of Galway in 1986. He worked in Ireland, UK and USA before appointment as Consultant Microbiologist in GUH and Professor of Bacteriology in University of Galway in 1999. He has served in various clinical leadership roles as Laboratory Director, Clinical Director in GUH and HSE National Lead. Since November 2023 he is Clinical Lead for the Laboratory Services Reform Programme (incorporating the National Clinical Programme for Pathology).
Kim Coogan: Maynooth University School of Business and University of Sunderland in London
Kim Coogan is a PhD candidate at Maynooth University School of Business and a lecturer at the University of Sunderland in London Department of Business. Kim’s research explores the expectations and lived experience of the next generation of workers and the individual-level capital and skills that employees possess and organisations demand.
With over twenty years of teaching and industry experience across the globe (the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines), Kim teaches on the topics of leadership and management, organisational behaviour, human resources, and strategic management. Kim’s research has attracted international attention with her empirical work on the next generations’ employment expectations winning a ‘best paper’ (top 10%) award at the prestigious Academy of Management Conference in 2022.
Kim has also presented at the European, British, and Irish Academies of Management. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in Education (U.S.A), an MSc. Business Management honours degree (Ireland) and is currently in the final write up phase of her PhD (Ireland).
Cian Ryan is a lecturer in Medical Science at Technological University Dublin. With nearly a decade of industry experience, Cian has worked broadly in blood science across various HSE hospitals.
Cian’s academic journey includes advanced training as an epidemiologist, complemented by postgraduate degrees in Epidemiology and Global Health. His specialized knowledge in these fields has been pivotal in his role as a Senior Scientist with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), where he worked during the COVID-19 and Mpox epidemics. His contributions to public health during these times have earned him an honorary research position with the UKHSA, while pursuing his PhD at Lancaster University in the UK.
In addition to his research and scientific roles, Cian has also served as a tutor in accredited Biomedical Science and Clinical Medicine programs, where he has mentored future healthcare professionals. Cian has a strong interest in the application of health informatics and computational statistics within medical science, areas where his research is currently focused.
Cian Ryan’s commitment to advancing medical science through education and research underscores his contributions to the field and his dedication to improving public health both in Ireland and abroad.
Marie Carr: Laboratory Manager, University Hospital Limerick Group
Marie Carr is the Laboratory Manager for UL Hospitals. Her academic background includes BSc. Biomedical Science (UCC/MTU), Certificate in Lean Six Sigma in 2007, MSc. in Quality Management in 2009 from ATU, Sligo and a Graduate Award in Executive Healthcare Leadership from the Irish Management Institute (IMI) and Health Sciences Leadership Academy awarded in 2019. Marie is a qualified lead and technical assessor for ISO15189, works part-time with the Irish National Accreditation Board and has contributed to guest lectures around quality and change management for the Masters of Science in Medical Science, ATU, Galway.
Marie has over 27 years’ experience as a medical scientist and worked as the quality manager for Blood Transfusion in UHL for 17 years. As the laboratory manager, she oversees the laboratories in University Hospital Limerick, Ennis, Nenagh and the Public Health laboratory, Ballycummin Limerick, the UHL Mortuary service and the Sub Fertility laboratory in Nenagh.
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Registration Opens from 09:00
Plenary Session 2: 10:00 – 11:45
Speaker 1: Niamh Moynihan — Founder, A Better Workday
Niamh Moynihan wants to bring the joy back into work. Known for her engaging workshops, courses, keynotes, and online sessions that transform how professionals approach their workday, she has helped over 3,000 employees to date.
With a wealth of high-level experience in the tech field and a deep understanding of the science behind productivity methods and work strategies, Niamh has crafted the Better Workday framework. Her expertise has been sought after by clients across Ireland and the UK, such as Medtronic, MIAS Pharma, Department of Education, ESB and Boston Scientific.
Niamh’s approach goes beyond improving organisation and productivity levels; she also possesses a remarkable ability to understand people, boost their confidence, and ignite their self-motivation, all while guiding them to rediscover meaning in their work through simple, actionable steps.
Speaker 2: Yoga Mara – Workplace Wellbeing Solutions
Yoga Mara exists to provide a safe space that allows you to reconnect with yourself and awaken your awareness to the possibility of a more fulfilled you.Through the convenience of their online classes, their friendly in-person classes and their luxurious escapes, Rachel and Hannah offer several tailored solutions to help you discover a more confident you.
Yoga Mara Escapes are an exclusive, immersive experience in luxurious surroundings. Designed to allow you to time to escape, it offers just that, time to yourself to reset, recharge and reconnect with yourself on a holistic level. Venues are chosen to enhance the immersive experience and allow clients to escape from the normality of their day to day lives, in stunning, natural surroundings. All the ingredients for a well-rounded relaxing getaway.
Speaker 3: Anne Mac Lellan – The History of Working Practice in Medical Science (an Irish perspective)
Dr Anne Mac Lellan is a historian and author with a particular interest in the history of medicine and science. Together with Noel White, she co-authored Ancora Imparo, a history of the ACSLM. Anne is also a former Irish Times journalist and a (recently!) retired surveillance scientist who worked in Connolly Hospital, Dublin. She was consulting editor for Converse for the past ten years, working with former editors Tom Moloney and Helen Barry. She is a visiting lecturer in NCAD.
Anne completed a Wellcome Trust funded PhD in the Centre for the History of Medicine, UCD, in 2011, an MA in journalism in DCU, in 1992, and is a fellow of the ACSLM. A winner of the RCPI history of medicine research award, she also won the National Science and Technology Journalism Prize for the best article on a scientific subject printed in the Irish media.
Her biography of Dr Dorothy Stopford Price who introduced BCG vaccination to Ireland was published by Irish Academic Press and Anne is currently working on a biography of Dr Arthur Leared, the Irish doctor who invented the double stethoscope.
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Haematology
Haematology Morphology Case Studies — Ailin McMahon, Senior Medical Scientist, University Hospital Limerick
Ailin graduated from UCC/CIT in 2008 with an Honours Degree in Biomedical Science and from University of Ulster in 2012 with a Masters in Biomedical Science specialising in Haematology/Blood transfusion. She has worked in the Haematology Laboratory in University Hospital Limerick for 15 years and has been a Senior Medical Scientist in Morphology for the past 5 years. Ailin is currently studying part-time in UL on the Professional Doctorate in Healthcare Practice program, specifically looking at the use of circulating tumour DNA and immune response analyses to improve the risk stratification of patients with Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma.
An Update on Multiple Myeloma – Ms Anna Nhu Ngoc Nguyen, Medical Scientist, Atlantic Technological University, Linköping University
Anna Nhu Ngoc Nguyen is a Medical Scientist in the Department of Histopathology at Sligo University Hospital. Anna is a recent graduate from Atlantic Technological University with an Honours Degree in Medical Science. She specialised in Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Cellular Pathology in her final year and carried out her research project in Linköping University, Sweden. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of golgi inhibitors as a potential treatment for Multiple Myeloma (MM), with various MM cell lines included. Golgi apparatus dysregulation has emerged as a potential target for therapy, particularly through the inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase beta (PI4KB). Despite promising preclinical data, the efficacy of golgi inhibitors in MM remains largely unexplored. Therefore, the study provides valuable insights into the potential of PI4KB inhibitors as novel therapeutic agents for MM and underscores the need for further investigation to translate these findings into clinical applications.
Methods for the Investigation of pseudothrombocytopenia in the Haematology Laboratory – Jack Molloy, Medical Scientist, TU Dublin, St Vincent’s University Hospital
Jack Molloy hails from Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 and is a recent graduate of the TU Dublin Medical Science programme. During his undergraduate degree, he specialised in Haematology and Clinical Immunology and carried out his final year research project in the Haematology laboratory in St. Vincent’s University Hospital. The project focused on pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP), a relatively common laboratory-diagnosed condition that interferes with automated platelet counts and can lead to unnecessary further testing. The goal of the study was to produce evidence for procedural changes that could streamline these investigative pathways. In total, 1461 samples were included. The ‘Platelet Clumps?’ Q-Flag was found to exhibit poor PPV (64.9%) and sensitivity (36.4%), which became increasingly worse as the platelet count increased. PLT-F was found to be the most robust channel in terms of enumerating platelet counts in PTCP samples. The vortex ‘de-agglutination’ method produced promising results but its broader effects on the FBC profile require further study. The findings of this study prompted the proposal of an SOP change as well as the implementation of a PLT-F-based reflex rule. Jack currently works in the shared Haematology and Blood Transfusion laboratory in James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown.
Three-site Comparison of Cell Population Data on Sysmex XN-Series Analysers — Grace McMahon, Medical Scientist, MTU, Cork University Hospital
Grace McMahon is CORU-registered Medical Scientist in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Cork University Hospital. In 2023, Grace graduated from Munster Technological University and University College Cork, with a first-class honours in Biomedical Science. In 2024, Grace completed the Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Practice at Cork University Hospital, with a first-class honours. During her Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Practice, Grace joined the EOLAS Research Group to investigate the intra- and inter-laboratory comparability of advanced haematological parameters. Since then, Grace has begun her career as a Medical Scientist in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at Cork University Hospital. Grace is delighted to have started her career with involvement in such exciting research.
Investigation of Age-Related D-dimer Thresholds — Ciara O’Connor, Medical Scientist, TU Dublin, Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic
Ciara is a Senior Medical Scientist of Blood Sciences working in Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic. Ciara has worked at the Hermitage Clinic for just over 3 years and have gained extensive experience in both Blood Transfusion and Haematology. She recently completed her Masters in Clinical Laboratory Science (Haematology) in TU Dublin and her research focused on optimizing the process and management of D-dimer testing. Ciara is passionate about research and innovation in Medical Science, with a particular interest in improving diagnostic processes and management protocols.
Clinical Chemistry and Point of Care Testing
From In-House Innovation to GP Integration – Navigating the Evolution of Order Comms in Clinical Biochemistry – Páraic Keane, Biochemist at St. Vincent’s University Hospital
Páraic Keane is a Clinical Biochemist in the Clinical Chemistry Dept. in St. Vincent’s University Hospital. He is currently working on a number of projects including the IT testing and implementation of the Fib-4 score for liver fibrosis and the introduction of ICP-MS for trace-metal testing. Páraic has primary and Ph.D. degrees in physical chemistry from Trinity College Dublin, in addition to an M.Sc. in Science Communication from DCU. Before switching to laboratory medicine, he worked as an academic research scientist in Ireland and the UK, and has published extensively on the photochemistry of nucleic acids and DNA-binding molecules.
Demand Management – Brendan O’Reilly, Operations Manager, Cork University Hospital Group
Brendan O’Reilly has worked in the laboratory field for 27 years, specialising in Microbiology and adopting various roles throughout his career, including Laboratory Manager of Cork University Hospital. He is a registered Medical Scientist who currently provides technical assessment services to the Irish National Accreditation Board. He has served Cork University Hospital as Operations Manager and deputy CEO for over 7 years and is one member of the large team looking at demand management across the patient journey. He holds the Fellowship in Medical Microbiology and has an MBA in Healthcare Management and a Lean Black Belt.
The Potential of Near Patient Testing in Primary Care – Dermot McBrierty, Senior Medical Scientist, Beaumont Hospital
Dermot has over twenty years experience in medical laboratory medicine. Interests in NPT, Biochemistry, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. MSc Medico-legal Medicine UCD, Grad Dip Medical Toxicology Cardiff University, MSc in Biomedical Science University of Ulster, MSc in Healthcare Management RCSI. Consistently presenting at conferences over the past twenty years, also involved (including as lead author) in numerous publications.
Interest in CSF Xanthochromia (involved in the set up and ongoing running of the assay in Beaumont Hospital). Held posts as NPT manager in Beaumont Hospital, Senior Medical Scientist in Chemical Pathology (Beaumont), Laboratory Directorate Manager for a year specified purpose contract during the first year of COVID. Currentl back in NPT for a year. Dermot is a fellow and a council member of the ACSLM. Always involved in the training of Medical Science students in Beaumont hospital. Lead for the Laboratory Directorate yearly presentations on the Beaumont Hospital TY Student week for the past six years.
Transfusion and Transplantation Science
Update on Current Developments in Blood Transfusion — Paul Fitzsimons, Senior Medical Scientist, University Hospital Limerick
Paul studied Medical Science at University College Cork from 2008 to 2012, followed by clinical placement at Waterford University Hospital from 2012 to 2013. His career in Blood Transfusion Science began at the IBTS in Cork and the National Blood Centre in Dublin (2013-2016). Paul then joined St. James’ Hospital blood bank, where he began his master’s degree. In 2017, he moved to the University Hospital Limerick blood transfusion laboratory, completing the master’s with a project on patient blood management. In 2019, he took his first senior role at the Galway Clinic blood transfusion laboratory and studied Leadership & Management at UCD. Paul worked as the laboratory manager at the Bon Secours Hospital Limerick during the pandemic in 2020. In 2022, he returned to University Hospital Limerick, where he currently serves as the Quality Manager in the blood transfusion laboratory. In 2022 he also joined the Academy’s Transfusion & Transplantation Science Advisory Body where he now sits as chair.
Major Haemorrhage Guideline and Major Haemorrhage Simulations — Conor McMahon, Medical Scientist, Beaumont Hospital
Graduated TU Dublin B.Sc. Medical Science in 2021 and working in Blood Transfusion Department, Beaumont Hospital. Specialised as the department Training Officer. Completed TU Dublin M.Sc. Clinical Laboratory Science in 2024 researching Simulation Training & Massive Haemorrhage
MedLIS Implementation; Blood Transfusion Experience — Paul Sheridan, Senior Medical Scientist, Beaumont Hospital
Cellular Pathology
My Green Lab Update for Cellular Pathology — Jack O Grady, Senior Programme Manager, My Green Lab
Jack is the Senior Programme’s Manager at the International Non-Profit Organisation, My Green Lab. He is based out of Limerick, from where he supports laboratories globally involved in the My Green Lab Certification Programme. His responsibilities also involve the oversight and management of the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge and supporting lead generation for My Green Lab. Jack graduated from Munster Technological University in 2019 with a First Class Honours Degree in Nutrition & Health Science.
Prior to joining My Green Lab, Jack had previously plied his trade within the laboratories of both PepsiCo and Regeneron. During his time in PepsiCo, Jack spearheaded the project for PepsiCo’s pursuit of My Green Lab Certification for a number of laboratories across multiple European PepsiCo sites.
Overview of ISO 15189:2022 and experience of flexible scope – Cara Wrenn, Quality Manager, Bon Secours Hospital Tralee
Cara Wrenn has a dual role in the Bon Secours Hospital Tralee as Quality Manager (CMS) in the Pathology Department and as the Risk Lead for the Hospital. Cara graduated in 2004 from UCC (Biomedical Science) and began her career as a Medical Scientist in Microbiology in the Mercy University Hospital (Cork). In 2005 she moved to Microbiology in St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH Dublin) where she worked for 10 years and completed an MSc in Biomedical Science (UCC/CIT). While working as a Senior Medical Scientist in St Vincent’s, Cara was a member of the ACSLM Microbiology Advisory Body and developed a keen interest in Quality. She also completed an MSc in Healthcare Management (RCSI). In 2014, Cara moved back to her hometown of Killarney and began working in Microbiology in Bon Secours Hospital Tralee. In 2016, Cara began her role as the Quality Manager for the Laboratory, responsible for ensuring compliance with ISO 15189:2012 and Joint Commission International (JCI) Standards. In 2018, she was also appointed as Risk Lead for Bon Secours Hospital Tralee. In March 2024, Cara led the Pathology Team in Bon Secours Hospital Tralee to achieve ISO 15189:2022 accreditation
Experiences of an Audit in Histology with ISO 15189:2022 — Laura Clifford, Chief Medical Scientist, Bon Secours Hospital Tralee
Laura Clifford graduated with a degree in Biomedical Science from UCC/CIT in 2003 after which she started as a Medical Scientist in Histology in the Mercy University Hospital. Laura completed her MSc in Molecular pathology from DIT/Trinity in 2006 and commenced as a Senior Medical Scientist with Breastcheck first based in the Mercy University Hospital and then Cork University Hospital. During that time Laura was actively involved in the centralisation of cancer pathology services to Cork University Hospital and the introduction of breast histodissection for Medical Scientists. In 2011, Laura moved to Roche Diagnostics where she spent 10 years in various leadership roles across the UK and Ireland. In 2021, Laura returned to her Medical Scientist roots when she joined the Histology team at the Bon Secours Hospital Tralee.
Laura is currently Chief Medical Scientist in Histology there. Laura is the chair of the Cellular Pathology Advisory Body and is a member of the Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) with Coru – the Health and Social Care Professionals regulator.
Microbiology and Virology
C-section Infection Surveillance at Regional Hospital Mullingar: Our Approach — Kathy Neylon, Surveillance Scientist and Jean Wellwood, Surveillance Scientist, Mullingar Regional Hospital
Kathy joined Regional Hospital Mullingar as a Surveillance Scientist in 2023, following 20 years working in Microbiology and Blood Transfusion laboratories. She holds a BSc in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, an MSc in Biomedical Science specialising in Microbiology, and is undertaking a Post Graduate Diploma in Healthcare Infection at Trinity College Dublin this year.
Surgical Site Infection Surveillance following C-Section is of special interest to Kathy due to the unique nature of the work. Together, Kathy and Jean continue to grow and develop the surveillance work carried out at Mullingar Hospital, with a view to providing a high quality service to patients.
Jean has worked as a Surveillance Scientist for the last 15 years initially across the 3 Midlands Hospitals and more recently at Regional Hospital Mullingar only.
Jean was the first surveillance scientist employed across the Midlands region and set up and established all of the surveillance programmes currently in place. Jean is an integral part of the Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Team, working together to monitor and reduce healthcare associated infections in the hospital. Jean has extensive experience in setting up, developing and implementing evidence based surveillance programmes including Surgical Site Infection Surveillance and ICU Surveillance.’
Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Newborn Screening: Update on the new SNL Programme – Dr Ciara Conlan, SpR Public Health
Dr. Ciara Conlan has been a Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine since 2023. She holds a Masters Degree in Public Health from UCD and a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from LSHTM. She previously worked in medical virology at the NVRL and in clinical infectious diseases at St. James’s Hospital. Her MPH thesis was an economic analysis of newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV).
MPox Outbreak- an update, including MPox in pregnancy – Emer O’Byrne, Senior Technical Officer in the WHO and Emerging Pathogens laboratory.
Emer O’Byrne is a Senior Technical Officer in the National Virus Reference Laboratory, where she has worked for the past 9 years. Emer is part of the team within the WHO and Emerging Pathogens laboratory where her role focuses on diagnostics of rare and imported pathogens, including Mpox, Flaviviruses and Filoviruses, she also performs Measles and Rubella testing for the WHO European Regional Measles/Rubella Laboratory Network as the designated reference laboratory in Ireland, and conducts tissue culture of cell lines for the culture of specific viruses. Emer completed her primary degree of Microbiology in University College Dublin and subsequently completed a Research MSc through the School of Medicine in University College Dublin, investigating the Molecular Epidemiology of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Ireland between 2015 to 2018.
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