Zoology

Extreme marine environments—Prof. Louise Allcock  
Dr Allcock works on Extreme marine environments, Antarctica and the deep sea.  She is interested particularly in the benthic fauna of submarine canyon systems and is fascinated by cephalopods, especially their evolution.

Health-Immunity-Disease axis in Invertebrates – Dr Christopher Coates 

Dr Coates’ interests span infectious and non-infectious diseases of marine invertebrates, notably crustaceans, and exploring alternative in vivo model’s systems for in vivo toxicology testing, such as insect larvae (Galleria mellonella).

Molecular Parasitology - Prof. John P. Dalton

The Molecular Parasitology Laboratory (MPL) investigates the biology of parasitic worms and protozoa that affect human and animal health worldwide. Our research focuses on understanding host–parasite interactions at the molecular level, with the aim of developing improved diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments for parasitic diseases of global significance.

Venom systems in terrestrial arthropods—Dr Michel Dugon 
Dr Dugon is interested in the evolution, development and ultrastructure of venom systems in terrestrial arthropods, particularly centipedes and arachnids.

Macroecology – Dr. Kevin Healy

The Galway Macroecology group focuses on exploring the large-scale patterns that govern the ecology and evolution of animals. We use a combination of comparative, analytical and simulation modeling approaches to test questions ranging from topics including life history, venom potency evolution, trophic ecology and time perception

Benthic ecology—Dr Bob Kennedy
Dr Kennedy is a benthic ecologist researching how macrofaunal community structure and behaviour are linked to bioturbation in soft sediments.  He uses sediment profile imagery (SPI) to study these processes in situ.

Ecology of invasive species—Dr Colin Lawton 
Dr Lawton is a mammal ecologist particularly interested in the ecology of invasive species such as the grey squirrel and the conservation of native species such as the endemic Irish stoat.

Evolution of marine sponges—Prof. Grace McCormack
Dr McCormack is an evolutionary biologist currently focusing on the evolution of marine sponges.  She is also interested in the causes and spread of diseases including HIV in humans, pathogens and parasites in bees and the adaptive evolution of honeybees.

Honey bee pests, parasites, and other pathogens - Dr Helen Mooney

Dr. Mooney is a microbiologist interested in honey bee pests, parasites, and other pathogens. She is a certified lecturer with the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations and lectures on the Diploma in Apiculture. She teaches on modules including entomology, behaviour and communication in social insects, apiary management, honey bee products and runs a module and microcredential on honey bee health. Helen has been keeping bees for 15 years and teaches all aspects of beekeeping on the Diploma, at local level, and at summer schools."

Sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and community ecology—Dr Anne Marie Power 
Dr Power is interested in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, community ecology and impacts of climate change, and in marine natural products —particularly the potential of barnacles to yield wet-setting glue for medical purposes.

To find out more about the academic Staff and researchers in the School of Natural Sciences see the Staff List - University of Galway