Meet the AICRIstart Post-Doctoral Fellows

Learn more about our ten Post-Doctoral Fellows, their projects and interests. Coming from different backgrounds and cultures, the post-doctoral fellows represent a unique blend of talent and experience. 

Dr Yashna Chabria

  • I'm a postdoctoral fellow from India based at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) under the mentorship of Professor Lorraine O’Driscoll at the School of Pharmacy, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute and Professor Joanne Lysaght based at Trinity Translational Medicine Institute.

    The absence of distinctive diagnostic indicators and subtle initial symptoms results in rapid spread and poor survival of gastric cancer (GC) patients. The tumour microenvironment (TME) plays a vital role in immune escape and disease progression. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in the TME have come forward as key players in the development and remodelling of the immune microenvironment in the cancer setting. Therefore, the main aim of the project focusses on assessing the immunomodulatory influence of human and Bacterial EVs derived from gastric cancer patient plasma samples over the course of their treatment on T cell phenotype and function.

  • Apart from my academic pursuits, I find joy in cooking, long video calls with my family, walks with friends, and traveling. A fun fact about me is that if it had not been for science and research I would have loved to have been a proud owner of a small café of my own. When it comes to food, that represents my family's heritage, a hearty Sindhi meal with its authentic curry and sides would always hold a special place in my heart.

  • I greatly value the AICRIstart project for its exceptional collaborative opportunities. Working with experts from various fields not only progresses my career as a postdoctoral researcher but also enables me to gain insights in cancer research through an interdisciplinary lens. The opportunity to engage with various researchers across the nation and work towards a common goal is very fulfilling. I’m delighted to be part of this group and look forward to this exciting new journey.

Dr Muhammed Ashiq Thalappil

  • Hello. My name is Muhammed Ashiq Thalappil. I am an Indian postdoctoral researcher in Dublin City University. I am privileged to be part of the AICRIstart collaborative project, which brings together experts from DCU, RCSI, UCC and QUB in the theme of immuno-oncology and microbiome.

    Under the supervision of Dr. Denis Collins, my research focuses on understanding the immune responses to intratumoural bacteria and their impact on the efficacy of targeted therapies in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The mechanisms by which intratumoural bacteria contribute to the clinical efficacy of treatments such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and mAbs is yet to be fully understood.

    We will use cellular models of gastric, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers and employ patient derived GI cancer organoid models to fully recapitulate the interactions between tumours, host immunity, and the microbiome. The outcomes of this research will enable us to strategize more effective immunotherapies and potentially utilize bacteria themselves as immune-oncology therapeutics.

  • I love meeting new people and getting to know their culture, so I never miss an opportunity to travel and explore new places. It's wonderful to see how people find connections with each other despite the enormous diversities. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy playing badminton, cycling, and cooking (occasionally!). My favourite dish is Biriyani, biriyani is a beautiful blend of rice, meat and aromatic spices, otherwise called masala. As a matter of fact, I come from a region called Malabar in India and arguably we have one of the best biriyanis in the world.

  • AICRIstart offers me an exciting platform to collaborate with excellent researchers across various Irish universities. This opportunity can be leveraged to exchange ideas and overcome challenges. Moreover, the AICRIstart consortium will serve as a strong bridge between partner universities, making it much easier for researchers to access facilities at collaborating institutions. Ultimately, this will enable us to deliver the benefits of highly impactful projects to people more effectively.

Dr Elan McCarthy

  • Hi, I’m Elan McCarthy, an Irish Postdoctoral Researcher at the Lambe Institute for Translational Research, University of Galway. I am working under the mentorship of Dr Róisín Dwyer in collaboration with Dr Aideen Ryan (University of Galway) and Prof Philip Dunne (Queens University Belfast)

    My research project is entitled “Targeting microRNA megacluster 379/656 (C14MC) in Breast Cancer”. Many microRNAs (miRNAs) exist in clusters that share comparable sequence homology and may target genes in a common pathway. The C14MC is located on chromosome 14 and contains 42 miRNAs. This cluster has been reported to be downregulated in breast cancer with many C14MC miRNAs highlighted as potential tumour suppressors by our group and others. This project aims to advance our knowledge of the epigenetic regulation and combined functional relevance of C14MC miRNAs in metastatic breast cancer.

  • Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy reading and taking part in numerous sports including athletics and tag rugby. I love the outdoors and enjoy going for a long walk with my dogs at the weekend. My favourite dish would have to be my mum’s Sunday roast chicken with all the trimmings! I have so many treasured memories of swapping stories with family as we enjoy this hearty meal.

  • I am truly excited about the AICRIstart project, as it provides an exceptional platform for cancer researchers to engage and contribute to groundbreaking research. It offers fantastic collaborative opportunities and allows me to connect with fellow researchers and professionals across Ireland, deepening north/south collaboration. The project also provides support, access to resources and expertise across different universities. I'm excited to witness the progress and success of the AICRIstart project, as we collectively contribute to cancer research.

Dr Metin Yazar

  • I am Dr Metin Yazar, a Turkish AICRIstart postdoctoral fellow at University College Dublin (UCD). I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with Prof. Colm Ryan from UCD as my primary supervisor, with Prof. Adrian Bracken (TCD) and Prof. Simon McDade (QUB) acting as co-supervisors. Our project aims to integrate standardised computational approaches that can be applied to multiple CRISPR screens conducted by various cancer research groups. Upon completion, we will have developed standardised pipelines for the analysis of genome-wide CRISPR screens in cancer.

  • Besides my academic life, I love reading superhero comics, watching dystopia movies and reading history books. Also, I love watching sports events, including athletics, professional cycling and swimming competitions. A fun fact about me is that I have always dreamed of becoming an archaeologist since I was a child. Another interesting thing about me is that I really enjoy making and drinking cocktails!

  • The AICRIstart project is an inspiring and exciting initiative that has the potential to facilitate excellent collaborations. Collaboration between all cancer researchers throughout Ireland will lead to more efficient cancer research. Observing the scientific environment of AICRI and AICRIstart has had the effect of motivating me further in my own research.

Dr Luisa Silva

  • Hi, I’m Luisa Silva, a Portuguese postdoctoral researcher, pursuing my research at the University of Limerick. I am working under the guidance of Dr. Elizabeth Ryan (University of Limerick) and Professor Ruth Clifford from the University Hospital Limerick.

    My research project focus on characterising the immune phenotype of CLL patients. Most CLL patients’ immune system is weakened where they become immunocompromised, and as such respond poorly to vaccination and have recurrent infections. Despite known immune defects, a global overview picture of CLL patients’ immune phenotype is lacking. By characterising the immune phenotype of CLL patients and by integrating this with tumour genetic profiling, this research will allow us to refine patient prognosis and identify those at highest risk of infection.

    This project is part of a larger collaborative effort across different institutions which includes Trinity College Dublin and Ulster University, where they will characterise CLL metabolism and microbiome, respectively.

  • Aside from my research interests, I enjoy reading, listening to music and doing puzzles. As for my favourite food, I love the classic bacalhau com natas, a traditional Portuguese dish that represents my family heritage.

  • The AICRIstart project holds great significance for me due to its emphasis on managing comorbidities associated with cancer. Having had a parent that went through similar concomitant disorders, I believe this is an aspect that is sometimes overlooked by research, and research can improve significantly patients’ lives. Additionally, this project has offered me meaningful connections and the opportunity to foster innovative collaborations across institutions.

Dr Gabriela Kuhl

  • I am Dr Gabriela Kuhl, a Postdoctoral Researcher at University College Cork (UCC). I am part of Prof. Mark Tangney’s team in the Microbes and Cancer group within Cancer Research @UCC. My research focuses on immune responses to intratumoural bacteria, exploring how administered bacteria can induce anti-cancer immune responses. 

    I hail from Brazil, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and later pursued a PhD in Food Science. During my doctoral studies, I investigated food components affecting human nutrition and health, emphasizing bioactive lipids and microbial production of fatty acids like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). I spent time in Ireland during my research, further enriching my expertise. My collaborative spirit contributes to the vibrant scientific community at UCC, where researchers interface with colleagues nationally and across affiliated hospitals and clinical trials units.

  • As a scientist, I’m fuelled by curiosity—I thrive on unravelling complex mysteries and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Cooking is my stress-reliever. Experimenting with flavours mirrors my lab work! Weekends? exploring field trips, strolling through nature, and enjoying beach walks.

  • The AICRIstart project brings together ten Irish universities, all fired up about advancing cancer research. It is all about teamwork, supporting researchers, and diving into precision medicine. By doing all of this, the project is making big strides into deepening our understanding of cancer and potential treatments. Plus, the project has got this cool focus on mobility and interdisciplinary work, creating a fantastic learning environment for up-and-coming scientists.

Dr Mariia Frolova

  • Hello! I’m a postdoctoral researcher from Russia based at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) under the mentorship of Prof. Jochen Prehn.

    My research focuses on bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, which can directly interact with tumor cells to cause inflammation, alter the tumor microenvironment, and potentially contribute to cancer progression.

    However, before studying the influence of bacteria on carcinogenesis, it is necessary to confirm the actual existence of bacteria in tumors. This step is critical to eliminate errors such as genome assembly errors, contamination, or batch effects that can lead to false conclusions. Accurate identification and characterization of tumor-associated bacteria requires careful analyis and validation of results.

  • Apart from academic research, I am interested in psychology and music. I play the piano, guitar and sing. Sometimes I even perform on stage in my hometown in Russia. I enjoy meeting new people and learning about their culture. And I'm just enjoying Ireland.
    I also love to be a volunteer, so you can invite me somewhere.

  • I am happy to be part of the AICRIstart project. This is an excellent platform for collaboration with researchers across Ireland. Collaboration amongst experts in many fields will lead to more efficient research opportunities. Working here not only advances my career, but also allows me to gain an interdisciplinary and comprehensive understanding of cancer.

Dr Ahmed Mahmoud

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Dr Raheleh Amirkhah

  • I am a postdoctoral researcher from Iran, currently based at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), UK, under the supervision of Dr. Philip Dunne. My research focuses on the disease positioning of colorectal cancer (CRC) models through the transcriptional and histological alignment of tumours from genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) with human CRC data. This alignment is pivotal for enhancing the precision of stratified preclinical and clinical trials, ultimately leading to a more profound understanding of cancer biology and the development of targeted therapies. My work aims to bridge the gap between preclinical findings and clinical applications, contributing significantly to the advancement of personalised medicine in cancer treatment.

  • Beyond research, I love taking long walks in peaceful settings and listening to the sounds of nature. I also enjoy reading psychological books. In my free time, I play the guitar and sing, which is a great way for me to unwind and express my creativity.

    My favourite dish is Fesenjoon, a Persian delicacy that is very popular. It's made with pomegranate sauce and walnuts, giving it a unique and delicious flavour that I absolutely love.

  • The AICRIstart project excites me because it offers a unique platform to collaborate with fellow cancer researchers across Ireland. It's a great opportunity to engage in groundbreaking research and benefit from the support, resources, and expertise available at different universities. The project's emphasis on interdisciplinary work and precision medicine fosters a dynamic learning environment, allowing us to deepen our understanding of cancer and develop innovative treatments. I am happy to be part of this journey and look forward to contributing to the success of the AICRIstart project.

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