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Events Landing PageLecturer in Microbiology/Biopharmaceutical Science
School of Science & Computing - Dept of Science
FTG-02 T- Block/ FTG Rooms
Main Campus
Dr. Karen Tambling obtained a B.Sc. (Hons) Degree in Applied Biology with Quality Management from Waterford Institute of Technology where she also completed her Ph.D. studies in the area of micro and molecular biology under the supervision of Dr. Catherine O’Reilly. Her Ph.D. thesis title is “Isolation and analysis of novel cyano tolerant and/or degrading microorganisms.”
Karen gained experience in industry as a Quality Assurance Manager at a meat protein producing plant and has also worked as a Technical Officer within the Department of Science in WIT and as a Project Manager for an Interreg IVA funded project (WINSS).
Karen was heavily involved in the development of a new Level 6 (10 ECTS) Certificate in Introduction to Dairy Science, for which she is course leader.
Karen was awarded a lectureship in the Dept. of Science and Computing, WIT in 2014. She is currently the course leader for year 2 of the BSc. Applied Biology programme.
Karen has taught the following modules since 2000 to present:
Introductory Biology (Yr 1) – Labs, Tutorials
Cell Biology and Biochemistry (Yr 1) – Labs, Tutorials
Microbiology 1 (Yr 2) – Lectures, Labs
Biochemistry (Yr 2) – Lectures, Labs
Food Microbiology (Yr 2) – Labs
Food Formulations (previously Food Ingredients) (Yr 2) - Labs
Scientific Enquiry in Biology (previosuly Topics in Biotechnology) (Yr 2) – Lectures
Environmental Science (Yr 2) - Labs
Protein Chemistry and Enzymology (Yr 3) – Lectures, Labs, Module Coordinator
Environmental Science (Yr. 3) - Labs
Chromatographic Method Development & Validation (Yr 3) – Labs
Industrial Microbiology (Yr 3) - Labs
Food Ingredients (Yr 3) - Labs
Biotransformation and Bioremediation (Yr 4, Part-time and Full-time course) – Lectures
Molecular biology (Yr 4) - Labs
Supervise and mentor Research Projects (Yr 3, Yr 4)
Introduction to Dairy Science, level 6 module - Lectures, Labs
HC in Culinary Arts - Artisan Food Artisan Food Development development programme - Labs
Level 6 (10 credit) Module, Developed 2014
Certificate in Introduction to Dairy Science (Special Purpose Award) - Programme Development Leader, Course Leader
Level 9 (10 credit) Modules, Developed 2013-2014
Food Safety & Analytical Microbiology – Programme Development Leader
Biopharmaceutical Science and Cell Culture – Programme Development team
Process Analytical Technology & Statistics – Programme Development team
International Regulatory Affairs – Programme Development team
Advanced Spectroscopic Techniques – Programme Development team
Advanced Quality Methodologies – Programme Development team
Data Analysis & Research Methodologies – Programme Development team
A major component of Karens position as project manager of the INTERREG IVA funded project “Wales Ireland Network for Scientific Skills” – WINSS, which was a skills enhancement initiative involving 2 partner organisations in Ireland and Wales, was a lead role in the development of new modules (at level 6 and level 9) for accreditation and in engagement with external partners in relation to this. Experience in preparation of programme validation documentation including CE1, CE2, CE3 documents and in writing learning outcomes and module descriptors from Level 6 to Level 9 was gained.
Karen also has industrial experience as a Quality Manager of a small meat processing plant producing meat protein pastes.This position held key responsibilities including the running/management of an on-site laboratory and monitoring and maintenance (documentation) of quality systems (ISO, HACCP).
Karen was also a member of the technical support staff in the Department of C & L Science with duties in this role including preparation and maintenance of laboratory rooms, equipment and materials required for practical sessions, establishing and maintaining stock control of laboratory equipment and consumables, obtaining technical specifications, quotations and ordering new equipment and consumable materials.
Publications:
Coffey L, Owens E, Tambling K, O’Neill D, O’Connor L, O’Reilly C (2010) Real-time PCR detection of Fe-type nitrile hydratase genes from environmental isolates suggests horizontal gene transfer between multiple genera. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 98, 4: 455-463.
Coffey L, Clarke A, Duggan P, Tambling K, Horgan S, Dowling D, O’Reilly C (2009) Isolation of identical nitrilase genes from multiple bacterial strains and real-time PCR detection of the genes from soils provides evidence of horizontal gene transfer. Arch Microbiol 10: 761-771.
Commercialisation of Research Activities:
‘License deal involving the provision of technology developed at WIT - a biocatalytic microbial library, 2015.’
Associated research group within the PMBRC has secured a technology license deal with a global pharmaceutical company.
Patent applications:
Named as co-inventor on three patent and subsequent PCT applications filed in July 2011/2012 based on invention disclosures detailing the use of nitrile-metabolising environmental isolates and their enzymes for biotechnology /industrial/ agricultural applications;
Patent Co-operation Treaty applications:
Filed three Patent Cooperation Treaty applications in July 2012 based on previous patent applications:
A Nitrile-Metabolising Enzyme and a Process for Producing an Acid using SS-4 (PCT/EP2012/063315)
A Nitrile-Metabolising Enzyme and a Process for Producing an Acid using SS-17 (PCT/EP2012/063321)A Nitrile-Metabolising Enzyme and a Process for Producing an Acid using SS-24 (PCT/EP2012/063323)