Lecturer

Email: barry.ryan@tudublin.ie

Background and Biography

I am an influential, award winning, and research active applied biochemist with a proven expertise in practitioner use of alternative research-based pedagogies in a modern higher education setting. I joined the academic staff of the School of Food Science and Environmental Health in 2009, and lecture on biotechnological, biochemical, chemical, quality and other ancillary aspects of Environmental Health, Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences. I have a strong track record of successful research centred-PI accomplishments, both in industry and academia. My research interests are diverse, but broadly fall into two strands: scientific and pedagogic. The focus of my scientific research is on novel enzyme biodiscovery with subsequent molecular cloning leading to rational and directed evolution of recombinant proteins; including protein molecular modelling and stability analysis, to leverage their diagnostic, environmental and therapeutic applications. The emphasis of my pedagogical research is on the judicious integration of technology facilitated learning, game/scenario-based learning and also enhancing undergraduate technical and research skills. These two research strands are aligned under the overarching theme of research informed STEM education. My lab based research informs and maintains the currency of my undergraduate and postgraduate teaching through the connected curriculum paradigm; whilst my pedagogic research ensures the most appropriate approaches to teaching and learning are adopted to support all learners. 

Professional Experience

2021 - Current: TU Dublin Education Model Lead.
2014 - Current: Adjunct Lecturer, Hibernia College.
2012 – 2021: Lecturer, TU Dublin.
2009 – 2012: Assistant Lecturer, DIT.
2008 – 2009: Post Doctoral Fellow (Enterprise Ireland funded), DCU.
2006 – 2008: Research and Technical Specialist, Enfer Diagnostics Ltd.
2003: Molecular Biologist, Megazyme Intl.
2002:  Technical Scientist, Schering Plough.

Professional Development

2013 – 2015: MA in Higher Education, DIT.
2011 – 2013: MSc in Applied e-Learning, DIT.
2010 – 2011: Postgraduate Diploma in Third Level Teaching and Learning, DIT.
2003 – 2006: PhD in Biotechnology, DCU.
1999 – 2003: BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology, DCU.

 

Research

Research and Scholarship Output 

PURE Profile is available here.

Research and scholarly outputs are available here. 

Conference proceedings are available here.

Technology Transfer, Patents and Invention Disclosures are available here.

Current Research Projects

• Flow Chemistry in Green Chemistry Biocatalysis
  Dr. Savitha Rangasamy (Senior Post-Doctoral Researcher)
• Plastics degradation using a novel cutinase.
  Mr. Aitzaz Akram (PhD candidate)
• Glucosidase for novel glycoside synthesis.
  Ms. Adithya Vinod (PhD candidate)
• Redox Biocatalysis in Deep Eutectic Solvents.
  Mr. Ebin K Baby (PhD candidate)
• Lipases for Green Chemistry Biocatalysis.
  Mr. Amin Heydari (PhD candidate)
• Biocatalysis in Flow Chemistry Platforms.
  Mr. Vishnu Ganthimeri
• Exploring the role technology enhanced learning plays in student engagement in STEM.
  Mr. Billy Madden (PhD candidate)
• Identifying, understanding and addressing group work gender patterns in the Sciences in Irish higher education settings
  Dr. Barry Ryan

Current research opportunities 

Ongoing research opportunities for talented, determined and curious graduates interested in joining me on a research journey in either; 

• enzymology applied to food, pharmaceuticals & sustainable bioprocesses, or,
• education research

Please get in touch!

 

Previous Research Projects

Lab-Based                                     

• A solvent tolerant β-glucosidase from Streptomyces griseus: production optimisation and industrial biotechnology applications.
  Mr. Albert Uhoraningoga (PhD candidate)
  Graduated 2020                                          
• Novel Lipase(s): Application in biodiesel production from wastewater grown microalgae.
  Ms. Priyanka Suhag (PhD candidate)
  Graduated 2020
• Cutinase from Amycolatopsis mediterranei: Recombinant production, characterisation, and biotechnological applications.
  Ms. Yeqi Tan (PhD candidate)
  Graduated 2020
• Novel inhibitors of PrAO (Primary Amine Oxidase) as potential new therapeutics.
  Mr. Padraig Shanahan (MPhil candidate)
  Graduated 2018
• Production and applications of novel recombinant glycosidases.
  Mr. Prabhash Kumar (PhD candidate)
  Graduated 2014
• Investigations of aldo-keto reductases and homologous recombinant proteins.
  Ms. Alka Singh (PhD candidate)
  Graduated 2012
• Development of Novel Veterinary Diagnostics based on Real Time PCR.
  Enterprise Ireland Industrial/Academic Partnership (2008-2010).
  Completed 2010

Educational

• Can teaching practice address gender inequality in science, as explored through self efficacy?
  Ms. Gintarė Lübeck (MPhil candidate)
  Graduated 2023
• An explorative case study into understanding and implementing transformative learning and employability within a quality curriculum framework.
  Ms. Ellen Kampinga (MPhil candidate)
  Graduated 2023
• Evaluating the effect of a student peer mentoring approach on perceived student learning with mature students undertaking computer programming at foundation level
  Mr. Nevan Birmingham (PhD candidate)
  Graduated 2022
• An Investigation into the Operationalisation of Computational Thinking in the context of teaching Software Development at Third Level.
  Ms. Catherine Higgins (PhD candidate)
  Graduated 2021
  

 

Teaching

My approach to teaching has always been at the transformative edge and is underpinned by my integration of pedagogical research as a way to inform and shape my practice. This philosophy manifests itself as the ‘student as co-creator’ paradigm. I believe that students add real value to their understanding by actively participating in constructing their understanding, both inside and outside class. Suitably designed learning activities, supported by a judicious blend of technology, creates an innovative hybridised learning space where students enjoy learning with their peers, excel in their understanding of discipline content and development complementary soft skills and graduate attributes in a safe, technology-enhanced environment. This approach to academic development has shaped my current and past curriculum innovation and development.

 

Professional Standing

 Accreditation

• CSciTeach (Chartered Science Teacher; since 2017)
• Senior Fellow of the HEA (since 2014)

Affiliations

• AltC: Associate Member (since 2011)
• Biochemical Society: Full Member (since 2014)
• Higher Education Academy: Senior Fellow (since 2015)
• Institute of Biologists of Ireland: Full Member (since 2011)
• International Federation of Teaching Fellows (since 2020)
• Royal Society of Chemistry: Full Member (since 2011)
• Royal Society of Biology: Full Member (since 2017)

 

Adjunct Roles

• Lecturer in Technology Enabled Learning (Hibernia College, Dublin; since 2015)

 

Academic External Examiner 

Postgraduate Research Examiner

• PhD: DCU (1, 2017) and TU Dublin Internal Examiner (2; 2013 & 2014)

Academic Quality Assurance: 

• Progammatic: Dublin City University (2021-24)
• Departmental: Sligo Institute of Technology (2019-23)
• Departmental: Carlow Institute of Technology (2019-22)
• Departmental: Athlone Institute of Technology (2017-20),
• Programmatic (review): Cork Institute of Technology (2017-18)
• Programmatic (re-validation) Dundalk Institute of Technology (2017-18)