Owen Conneran

Background

About Owen Conneran

I am a graduate of the BSc. Biotechnology programme at NUI Galway. Alongside core knowledge of modern biology, the Biotechnology degree provided me with tailored training in languages, business and communication skills. In addition, the course provided me with exposure to a laboratory environment throughout my 4 years. I am an enthusiastic worker and particularly enjoy project work with the delivering of reports and presentation. Since the beginning of this programme, I have engaged in projects and presentations ranging from analysing some of the new developments in combating malaria to experimentally studying the properties of meat to test for the presence of horse DNA (2013 meat adulteration scandal). For my final year research project (Thesis), a 3-month laboratory based module, I am studying the effects of the Msh3 protein on the expression levels of trinucleotide repeats (TNRs).The relentless expansion of TNRs is known to cause 17 inherited neurological disorders including Huntington's disease. I am currently employed as a Process Technician for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in Grange Castle Co. Dublin. My role is in the Drug Substance department where we use large scale mammalian cell culture to produce various Biopharmaceutical products. Along with my experience in the R&D department of Surmodics, a medical device company, these positions have provided me with first class exposure to the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices sectors and have given me an excellent stepping stone to a career in said industries. Prior to entering university, I spent a year working with Kepak Group, Athleague. Here I was introduced to a highly regulated working environment built on GMP, GDP and the 5s methodology. I speak French to a professional working level and in March 2015, I received a Diploma (w/ Distinction) from the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de région Paris Ile-de-France in Scientific French.