Sylvia is a Lecturer in Medical Microbiology, Food Microbiology and Pharmaceutical Microbiology.  She is a D.Ed. researcher, investigating the role of informal education in human health and is the principal investigator for a research project assessing the potential of probiotic candidates. 

Sylvia also has research interests in science and society and in inclusive education. She undertook a 6-month secondment as a Convene Enterprise Fellow to develop a new higher education programme for people with an intellectual disability. 

Sylvia has served on TU Dublin's Academic Council and the Academic Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee.  She is also the 3^rd year tutor for the B.Sc. Bioanalysis programme.