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Academic Staff

Dr Emma Holian

BSc, PhD

 
researcher
 

Biography

Dr Emma Holian is a lecturer and researcher in Statistical Science and Learning.

Statistical modelling interests include Mixture modelling to cluster longitudinal data profiles and to model the group features via generalized linear mixed models and penalized smoothing models, leading to the formulation of the Regression Cluster Model (RCM). This includes analysis into capability of the RCM to handle missing data within profiles or profiles measured at variable time-points. Extensions of the RCM have been formulated to longitudinal profiles measured on discrete or categorical scales, P-Splines,  and mixed effects model clustering with an extension to multivariate applications.

Recent biostatistics applications include building prognostic models in Breast Cancer, applications in Genomics Data Science, modelling composition response data for Blood Clot Composition.

Interests also include Climate trend modelling and statistical challenges in environmental impact studies, in particular a recent focus on groundwater, sets some interesting features in left-censored values.

Dr Emma Holian also is prominent in initiatives that improve approaches to Mathematical and Statistical learning through Education and Outreach, Curriculum Design, and Student Support, having experience within a number of key Directorship roles.


Research Interests

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
CLUSTER ANALYSIS MXT GLMM E HOLIAN 01-APR-09 28-MAY-12

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2023) 'Evaluating the Role of Circulating MicroRNAs in Predicting Long-Term Survival Outcomes in Breast Cancer: A Prospective, Multicenter Clinical Trial'
Davey, M G; McGuire, A; Casey, M; Waldron, R; Paganga, M; Holian, E; Newell, J; Heneghan, H; McDermott, A; Keane, M; Lowery, A; Miller, N; Kerin, M.J.. (2023) 'Evaluating the Role of Circulating MicroRNAs in Predicting Long-Term Survival Outcomes in Breast Cancer: A Prospective, Multicenter Clinical Trial'. Journal Of The American College Of Surgeons, 236 (2):317-327 [Details]
(2022) 'Evaluating the Role of Circulating MicroRNAs to Aid Therapeutic Decision Making for Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer - A Prospective, Multicenter Clinical Trial'
Davey, M G; Casey, MC; McGuire, A; Waldron, R; Paganga, M; Holian, E; Newell, J; Heneghan, H; McDermott, A; Keane, M.; Lowery, A J; Miller, N; Kerin, M.J. (2022) 'Evaluating the Role of Circulating MicroRNAs to Aid Therapeutic Decision Making for Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer - A Prospective, Multicenter Clinical Trial'. Annals Of Surgery, 276 (5):905-912 [Details]
(2022) 'MicroRNA Expression Profiling Predicts Nodal Status and Disease Recurrence in Patients Treated with Curative Intent for Colorectal Cancer'
Davey, M.G.; Feeney, G.; Annuk, H.; Paganga, M.; Holian, E.; Lowery, A.J.; Kerin, M.J.; Miller, N. (2022) 'MicroRNA Expression Profiling Predicts Nodal Status and Disease Recurrence in Patients Treated with Curative Intent for Colorectal Cancer'. Cancers, 14 (9) [Details]
(2022) 'Assessing the Relevance of Circulating MicroRNAs as Prognostic Biomarkers in Breast Cancer'
Davey, M; McGuire, A; Casey, MC; Waldron, R; Paganga, M; Holian, E; Newell, J; Heneghan, H ; McDermott, A; Keane, M; Lowery A; Miller, N; Kerin, M (2022) 'Assessing the Relevance of Circulating MicroRNAs as Prognostic Biomarkers in Breast Cancer'. Irish Journal Of Medical Science, 191 :187-237 [Details]
(2022) 'GNOSIS: an R Shiny app supporting cancer genomics survival analysis with cBioPortal'
King L, Flaus A, Coughlan S. Holian E, Golden A. (2022) 'GNOSIS: an R Shiny app supporting cancer genomics survival analysis with cBioPortal'. HRB Open Research, 5 [Details]
(2021) 'Survival outcomes are associated with genomic instability in luminal breast cancers'
King, L; Flaus, A; Holian, E; Golden, A (2021) 'Survival outcomes are associated with genomic instability in luminal breast cancers'. Plos One, [Details]
(2020) 'Assessment of groundwater processes using censored data analysis incorporating non-detect chemical, physical, and biological data'
McGrory, E;Holian, E;Morrison, L (2020) 'Assessment of groundwater processes using censored data analysis incorporating non-detect chemical, physical, and biological data'. Journal Of Contaminant Hydrology, 235 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Relative and Absolute Expression Analysis of MicroRNAs Associated with Luminal A Breast Cancer- A Comparison'
Arabkari, V,Clancy, E,Dwyer, RM,Kerin, MJ,Kalinina, O,Holian, E,Newell, J,Smith, TJ (2020) 'Relative and Absolute Expression Analysis of MicroRNAs Associated with Luminal A Breast Cancer- A Comparison'. Pathology oncology research : POR, 26 :833-844 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Prospective Assessment of Systemic MicroRNAs as Markers of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer'
McGuire A;Casey MC;Waldron RM;Heneghan H;Kalinina O;Holian E;McDermott A;Lowery AJ;Newell J;Dwyer RM;Miller N;Keane M;Brown JAL;Kerin MJ; (2020) 'Prospective Assessment of Systemic MicroRNAs as Markers of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer'. Cancers, 12 (7) [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Investigating the Potential and Pitfalls of EV-Encapsulated MicroRNAs as Circulating Biomarkers of Breast Cancer'
Moloney BM;Gilligan KE;Joyce DP;O'Neill CP;O'Brien KP;Khan S;Glynn CL;Waldron RM;Maguire CM;Holian E;Naughton E;Elhadi M;Grealish AB;Malone C;McDermott E;Dockery P;Ritter T;Prina-Mello A;Kerin MJ;Dwyer RM; (2020) 'Investigating the Potential and Pitfalls of EV-Encapsulated MicroRNAs as Circulating Biomarkers of Breast Cancer'. Cells, 9 (1) [DOI] [Details]
(2019) 'Relative and Absolute Expression Analysis of MicroRNAs Associated with Luminal A Breast Cancer- A Comparison'
Arabkari V;Clancy E;Dwyer RM;Kerin MJ;Kalinina O;Holian E;Newell J;Smith TJ; (2019) 'Relative and Absolute Expression Analysis of MicroRNAs Associated with Luminal A Breast Cancer- A Comparison'. Pathology oncology research : POR, [DOI] [Details]
(2019) 'Quantifying Argonaute 2 (Ago2) expression to stratify breast cancer'
Casey, MC;Prakash, A;Holian, E;McGuire, A;Kalinina, O;Shalaby, A;Curran, C;Webber, M;Callagy, G;Bourke, E;Kerin, MJ;Brown, JA (2019) 'Quantifying Argonaute 2 (Ago2) expression to stratify breast cancer'. BMC Cancer, 19 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'Arsenic in Groundwater in South West Ireland: Occurrence, Controls, and Hydrochemistry'
McGrory, E,Holian, E,Alvarez-Iglesias, A,Bargary, N,McGillicuddy, EJ,Henry, T,Daly, E,Morrison, L (2018) 'Arsenic in Groundwater in South West Ireland: Occurrence, Controls, and Hydrochemistry'. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 6 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2019) 'Quantifying Tip60 (Kat5) stratifies breast cancer'
McGuire, A,Casey, MC,Shalaby, A,Kalinina, O,Curran, C,Webber, M,Callagy, G,Holian, E,Bourke, E,Kerin, MJ,Brown, JAL (2019) 'Quantifying Tip60 (Kat5) stratifies breast cancer'. Scientific Reports, 9 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'Differential impact of hormone receptor status on survival and recurrence for HER2 receptor-positive breast cancers treated with Trastuzumab'
McGuire, A,Kalinina, O,Holian, E,Curran, C,Malone, CA,McLaughlin, R,Lowery, A,Brown, JAL,Kerin, MJ (2017) 'Differential impact of hormone receptor status on survival and recurrence for HER2 receptor-positive breast cancers treated with Trastuzumab'. Breast Cancer Research And Treatment, 164 :221-229 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Screening of exosomal microRNAs from colorectal cancer cells'
Clancy, C,Khan, S,Glynn, CL,Holian, E,Dockery, P,Lalor, P,Brown, JAL,Joyce, MR,Kerin, MJ,Dwyer, RM (2016) 'Screening of exosomal microRNAs from colorectal cancer cells'. Cancer Biomarkers, 17 :427-435 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2014) 'An Alternative Estimation Approach for the Heterogeneity Linear Mixed Model'
Martinez, MJ,Holian, E (2014) 'An Alternative Estimation Approach for the Heterogeneity Linear Mixed Model'. Communications In Statistics-Simulation And Computation, 43 :2628-2638 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 'Clustering longitudinal profiles using P-splines and mixed effects models applied to time-course gene expression data'
Coffey, N,Hinde, J,Holian, E (2014) 'Clustering longitudinal profiles using P-splines and mixed effects models applied to time-course gene expression data'. Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, 71 :14-29 [DOI] [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2007) 15th European Young Statisticians Meeting, EYSM 2007, Spain
Holian E. (2007) Mixture-Regression Cluster Model applied to Longitudinal Microarray Experiments 15th European Young Statisticians Meeting, EYSM 2007, Spain Spain, , 10-SEP-07 - 14-SEP-07 , pp.62-62 [Details]
(2004) 19th International Workshop on Statistical Modelling
Holian, E and Hinde, J.P (2004) Microarray experiments for gene expression studies in fish stress studies 19th International Workshop on Statistical Modelling [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(2022) 'AB068. SOH22ABS116. Identification and investigation of a novel four miRNA expression assay to aid colorectal cancer diagnosis'
Davey, M; Feeney, G ; Annuk, H ; Pagenga, M; Miller, N; Holian, E; Lowery, A ; Kerin, M (2022) 'AB068. SOH22ABS116. Identification and investigation of a novel four miRNA expression assay to aid colorectal cancer diagnosis' Mesentery and Peritoneum, 6 :2616-2725. [Details]
(2022) 'Identification of a Five-MiRNA Expression Assay to Aid Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis'
Davey, M.G.; Feeney, G.; Annuk, H.; Paganga, M.; Holian, E.; Lowery, A.J.; Kerin, M.J.; Miller, N. (2022) 'Identification of a Five-MiRNA Expression Assay to Aid Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis' Gastrointestinal Disorders, 4 :190-204. [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2015 Nomination for NUIG CELT teaching award -
2011 Nomination for NUIG CELT teaching award -
2007 Recipient of one of two nominations awarded by the Irish Statistical Association (ISA) to represent Ireland at the European Young Statisticians Meeting EYSM 2007 Spain -
2005 Finalist - Embark Initiative Physical Sciences Communication awards Embark Initiative
2002 IRCSET scholarship IRCSET

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Irish Statistical Association ISA Treasurer 15-MAY-22 /
Irish Statistical Association ISA Executive Committee member 14-MAY-08 / 11-MAY-11
Irish Statistical Association, ISA Ordinary member 12-MAY-03 /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
University of Galway Lecturer in Statistics, 01-SEP-08 /
University of Limerick Lecturer in Statistics (Fixed term) 01-SEP-07 / 31-AUG-08
University of Limerick Post-Doc Research Fellow in Statistical Modelling 01-JAN-07 / 31-DEC-07
University of Galway (NUIG) Lecturer in Statistics (Fixed term) 01-SEP-06 / 31-DEC-06
National Diagnostics Centre, University of Galway (NUIG) Research Assistant 01-MAY-06 / 31-AUG-06
Eagle Star Life, Dublin Actuarial Trainee 01-JUN-98 / 31-DEC-99

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2023 University of Galway Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education Academic Practice
2006 University of Galway (formerly NUIG at time of award) Ph.D Statistical Modelling Statistical Analysis of Gene Expression Profiles Obtained by Microarray Experiments
1998 University of Galway (formerly NUIG at time of award) B.Sc. Mathematical Sciences Mathematical Sciences

Other Activities

  Description

External Examiner ATU Letterkenny 2022-2024

Teaching Interests

With experience in supporting a wide genre of students with different interests and backgrounds, this experience in statistical learning spans across probability theory,  probability models, statistical inference and modelling, for undegraduates and postgraduates in Science, Arts, Engineering and Commerce programmes.
Student experience in statistical learning  is supported with applications MINITAB, or SPSS, R programming, and R markdown report-writing. 
Activities in module development also include practiced initiatives in success in online-distance learning and success in blended learning, activity workshops.

In addition to module delivery of statistics content Emma has committed roles  supporting learning, teaching, assessment, and  programme developments,  important and relevant to programme design and management and student experience. These include:

College of Science, Learning, Teaching and Assessment Committee  2018-2020, and continuing in that role throughout the college merger, i.e. the College of Science and Engineering, Education and Students Committee , 2020-present.
Programme Director GY301  B.Sc. Undenominated Science, 2021-present (cohort size approx. 300)
Programme Director B.Sc. Mathematical Science, 2008-2018 (cohort size approx. 25)
CÉIM peer-shared learning, Science Academic Lead, 2021-present.
CoSE  Extenuating Circumstances Submissions Committee,  2021-present.
Designing Futures Work-package 1 Implementation team and Trans-Disciplinary Modules Approval Committee,  2021-present.
Director of Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA), School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, 2018-2021, member of School LTA committee from 2008.
Hamilton Prize assessment committee, 2018-2022

Funded Initiatives include:
SATLE 2019, Initiative Title: Teaching, Learning, and Engagement in Science & Engineering ¿ a Collective Endeavour, Member, sub-project: Teaching Practices Inventory, 2021.
SATLE 2021, Transforming Teaching and Learning for Student Success - Seed Funding Scheme, Developing Interactive Online Learning and Assessment Tools for Statistical Science,  5000 euro.

Personal Development:
Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, 2023





Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

  Student Degree Type Type
Lydia King Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor
Malak Almutairi Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
Semester 1 2013 -2023 Applied Statistics 1 ST311
Semester 2, 2009-2020 Advanced Statistical Methods in Business ST2218
Semester 1 2018-2020 Probability Models ST1111
Semester 2 2008-2019 Statistical Methods for Business ST2217
Year-long/2018-2019 Statistics ST2352
Semester 2 2015-2016 Statistics ST113
Semester 2 2016 Advanced Statistical Methods for Business ST2218
Semester 2 2016 Introduction to Statistical Methods ST1109
Semester 1 2012-2015 Statistical Methods for Business MA109
Year long, 2008-2014, running every 2nd year Statistics via blended learning/distance learning MA351.3
Semester 2 2009-2011 Mathematics & Statistics for Business MA114
Semester 1 2010 Probability ST112(MA112)
Semester 1 2008 Applied Statistics MA322
Semester 1 2006 Statistics I ST237(MA237)

Internal Collaborators

  Name Description of Collaboration
Internal Collaborators
Affiliations: Biostatistics Unit. HRB Clinical Research Facility, Galway, (CRFG).Dr John Newell, Biostatistics Unit. HRB Clinical Research Facility, Galway, (CRFG). Prof John Hinde, Chair Statistics, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Collaborative work: Statistical Consultation,  Dr. Roisin Dwyer, REMEDI, Galway, microarray analysis in Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Breast Cancer. Prof Karen Doyle, Physiology, School of Medicine, CÚRAM¿SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices   

External Collaborators

  Name Organisation / Institute Country Description of Collaboration
External Collaborators
Dr. Norma Bargary, Department of Mathematics, University of Limerick