DC5: Serena Garrick
University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland
- Host institution: University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland.
Department: School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science Research - Supervisor: Associate Professor, Tadhg. Ó Cróinín, e-mail: tadhg.ocroinin@ucd.ie
- Research Project 5
SERENA GARRICK
My name is Serena and I’m from London, in the UK. I did an integrated master’s in biomedical sciences at the University of Southampton (UK) with a strong interest in microbiology and biofilms. I carried out my master’s project researching the effects of redox proteins on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation and dispersal, where I carried out many microbiological assays including growth curve and motility assay analysis, as well as crystal violet ligand screening and LIVE/DEAD confocal microscopy. I also looked at susceptibility to known antibiotics, using a MIC assay against a known antibiotic treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.
I joined the Ó Cróinín lab at University College Dublin (UCD) as part of the SHIELD doctoral network in February 2026.
The aim of my project is to develop antimicrobial peptide integrated bioresorbable polymers that will be used to coat medical implants and prevent the incidence of implant associated infections; by allowing for the sustained prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation, which will increase patient quality of life.