PhD student

Danielle Nicholson of Pintail Limited caught up with Dale Creaven, an AutoCRAT PhD student at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway). Dale took some time to tell us a bit about himself and his work. Dale works under the supervision of AutoCRAT Coordinator Professor Mary Murphy.

Dale Creaven

Galway born and bred

I started in NUI Galway in 2015 in their Access course and completed a Diploma in foundation studies receiving the highest grades possible. “NUI Galway’s Access Programmes provide an opportunity for students who are generally under-represented at third level to progress to University.”  So, with this Diploma and my grades, I was offered a place in the prestigious Bachelor of Science Biomedical Science, with my area of focus being Anatomy in Galway. After completing my undergraduate degree, I progressed to a Masters of Science in Regenerative Medicine in NUI Galway; this is where I met Prof Mary Murphy, AutoCRAT Coordinator.

I am from Galway. There isn’t much more to say about that; I have lived in Galway my whole life, and luckily NUI Galway focuses on Biosciences, an area I always knew I wanted to study. I therefore stayed and attended college here in Galway.

My PhD project 

The title of my PhD project is Generation and characterization of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs); cell and secretome analysis. This project aims to compare iMSCs differentiated from iPSCs with particular emphasis on the secretome by various methods, like surface markers and gene expression. The main aim is to examine the secretome signature of iMSCs and identify its association with cell function. I will be performing PCR for molecular and genetic analyses, and flow cytometry to examine the surface markers of iMSCs. Also, I will work with cell culture to grow the iPSC and the iMSCs.

Impact of COVID-19

COVID-19 has impacted my undergraduate degree, masters research, and I am sure, it will affect my work with the AutoCRAT team, particularly with access to lab time and space. COVID-19 has reduced the number of people who can access a building at any time, including my access. Busy days in the lab will result from a reduction of lab time.

Dissemination plans

I have yet to present any aspect of this project. However, I am looking forward to it when I get the chance. I hope to publish in relevant scientific journals with high impact factors. I also hope to use social media as a platform to disseminate my work. Being one of the first generations to grow up with social media, I hope to use that to spread any good news.

Who doesn’t want to give a TED talk at some point in their lives? However, I hope to give talks at relevant events, for example, the OActiveProject conference where Prof Mary Murphy recently presented.

Outside of work

Well, in the last year and a half, not a lot has happened. To be honest, I am a bit of a nerd (I hate to admit it), but I love science and how it explains the world. I have a keen interest in nature and animals. I am a movie/TV/book nerd. I have played basketball in a semi-professional, national league in Ireland and have played with NUI Galway and my high school, St. Marys College in Galway.

Thank you very much for your time, and best of luck with your project.