Institute of Technology Carlow

Researchers

Dr David Ryan
BSc., MSc., PhD.

Current Status

• Head of Department of Science and Health since 2003
• Member of EnviroCORE at IT Carlow

Research Experience

• Postdoctoral researcher with Dr. David Dowling on FP4 and FP5 European projects “Endegrade” and GM-Rhizoremediation”
• PhD. with Professor Emer Colleran at the Environmental Research Institute at the National University of Ireland, Galway
• MSc. in Innovation Management in the Public Service jointly awarded by Letterkenny Institute of Technology and the University of Ulster
• BSc. in Biotechnology in the Department of Biochemistry at the National University of Ireland, Galway

Research Interests

Dr David Ryan is a graduate of the National University of Ireland in Galway where he completed his undergraduate studies in the department of biochemistry.  His PhD. in the environmental research unit at NUIG focused on microbial genetics.  Dr. Ryan’s research interests include the identification of new genes and pathways for microbial metal resistance and examination of their bioremediation potential, developing improved phytoremediation and phytoprotection systems through the use of endophytic and rhizospheric microbial inoculation of biofuel crops, and the use of microbial biosensors to detect both contamination and degradation of target compounds.  He is also involved with both the Agribiotics research unit at IT Carlow and most recently with an IRCSET funded postdoctoral research project examining strategies for the acceleration and assessment of the decomposition of biodegradable municipal waste.  His research to date has been funded by PRTLI, TSR, ITC, IRCSET and the EPA.  Dr. Ryan is a co-author on sixteen peer-reviewed journal publications and book chapters and approximately forty abstracts and conference proceedings. 

Research projects to date:

• The genetic analysis of the ars operon of the multi-resistant Inc HI2 plasmid, R478, David Ryan, PhD., 1999
• The generation and molecular analysis of multiresistant microbial strains and associated operons for the bioremediation of toxic metals, Robert Ryan, PhD, 2005
• The monitoring of a prokaryotic bioremediation system in PCB contaminated soil and their in-situ quantification, Jill Hogan, PhD 2006
• Construction of endophytic xenobiotic degrader bacteria for improving the phytoremediation of organic pollutants, Kieran Germaine, PhD., 2007
• Development and application of biosensor technologies for the biodegradation of environmental pollutants, Xuemei Liu, PhD., 2008
• The isolation and characterisation of bacterial endophytes and their potential applications for improving phytoremediation, Elaine Keogh, PhD, 2009
• Evaluating microbial biosensors to detect polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination and degradation in a range of environments and conditions, Monica Dempsey, MSc., 2009
• Developing improved phytoremediation and phytoprotection systems, Olivia Odhiambo, PhD., 2011
• Characterisation of tributyltin resistant microbes isolated from Irish costal regions, Karen Browne, MSc., 2011
• Developing strategies for acceleration of biostabilisation of Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW), Dr. Nabla Kennedy, 2013 
• Development of endophyte and rhizosphere enhanced Plant Growth Promotion (PGPR) and phytoremediation systems – colonisation dynamics, mechanisms and impacts, Nicholas Otieno, ongoing research
• Examination of plant growth promoting bacteria on plant yield and their effect as bio-insecticides, Richard Lally, ongoing research