Early Career Researchers Network: ECRN Committee members
Daniela Costa
President
Daniela Costa has been the NSI-ECRN President since September 2023, and is a final year PhD student at University of Galway. As part of the EU ITN PMSMatTrain consortium, Daniela is trying to pinpoint the vulnerability of neuronal subpopulations in models mimicking the cortical pathology of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Born and raised in Portugal, soon her academic journey led her to explore new countries: France, Germany, and now Ireland. Her role in Science goes beyond the bench. Daniela is a very active person in SciCom. Daniela is part of the Neuroscience SciCom project named “Fala-me Neuro” (“Talk Neuro to me” in English), aiming to make neurosciences more approachable to Portuguese-speaking people. When Daniela drops the lab coat, you can definitely find her dancing, goofing around with her friends and helping the ones around her. She is very enthusiastic about football, comedy and art.
Ruth Colbert
Secretary
Ruth is the Secretary of NSI-ECRN and in the 3rd year of her PhD at University College Dublin. Her project is centred around neuroinflammation in spinal cord injury and specifically the role of microglia. Ruth has a BSc in Neuroscience and experience as an anatomy demonstrator in the School of Medicine at University College Dublin. Her non-neuroscience interests include long-distance running, sea swimming & eating good food with friends.
Andrea Fernandes
Outreach Officer
Andrea earned her BA in Psychology from the National College of Ireland in Dublin, followed by an MSc in Clinical Neuroscience from Galway University. Currently, she works as a research assistant at the Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory contributing to projects investigating the neural mechanisms underlying resilience and vulnerability in mental health, under the supervision of Prof. Dara M. Cannon. Her research interests focus on the neural mechanisms underlying mental health and mood disorders, with a particular emphasis on neuroimaging techniques.
Bianca Castelli
Vice-President
Bianca Castelli did her BSc in Biotechnology at the University of Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano) and then moved to Galway to do her MSc in Regenerative Medicine. She is currently doing her PhD as part of the lifETIME CDT program, focusing on neurodegeneration (Multiple Sclerosis) and the development of a point of care (POC) device to detect biomarkers of neurodegeneration. Her supervisor is Dr Una FitzGerald (University of Galway), and her secondary supervisor is Prof John Cooper (University of Glasgow).
Mia Casburn
Mia began her PhD in Psychiatric Neuroimaging at the University of Galway in September 2023 under the supervision of Prof. Dara Cannon and Prof. Derek Morris. Her research involves developing a model to predict social and occupational outcomes in psychosis using Neuroimaging variables combining resting-state, diffusion and T1 structural MRI. She is passionate about engaging in scientific outreach and promoting neuroscience research. Outside of university, she loves traveling, painting, and she has three dogs to keep her busy!
Lauren Barrett
Lauren is a 2nd year PhD student in the Anatomy and Neuroscience department of University College Cork. Her research focuses on Parkinson’s Disease, looking at SKOR1 as a potential therapeutic target. Outside of college, Lauren has a keen interest in sports so spends most of her time playing Gaelic Football and Tag Rugby or training in the gym.
Evie Doherty
Evie completed a BSc in Psychology at Dublin City University in 2021. Moving to Galway in 2022, she went on to complete a MSc in Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Galway in 2023. Upon completion, Evie commenced a PhD in psychiatric genomics in the department of Biochemistry under the supervision of Prof. Derek Morris and Prof. Gary Donohoe. Evie’s research focuses on exploring the role of genetics in social participation and occupational engagement and investigating how the complex interplay between genes, environment, and neuroimaging contributes to these functional deficits within a psychosis population. Her research is fully funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland. Evie is also a teaching assistant within the disciplines of Anatomy and Psychology and is an active member of the Early Career Research Network committee, an extension of Neuroscience Ireland (NSI-ECRN)
Susan Burke
Susan Burke is a second year PhD student working between the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, UCC, and the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD. Her work focuses on understanding the effects of co-morbid traumatic brain injury and obesity on both peripheral and neuroinflammation. Outside of the lab, Susan has a passion for musical theatre and loves getting involved in local productions.
Amiee Cronin
Amiee is a PhD student in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork (UCC). Her research interests include the gut-microbiome, neuroplasticity, and women’s health. Currently her project investigates the role of the gut-microbiota in mood and memory during transitionary periods of female life. Amiee has a BSc in Neuroscience from UCC, and is passionate about scientific outreach and public engagement. Outside of university, she enjoys traveling with friends and experiencing good food and music in new cities.