Dr Orla O Donovan

I have been an academic member of staff in Waterford Institute of Technology since 1998.   During this time I delivered lectures and practical laboratory classes at all levels on undergraduate programmes in areas such as biochemistry, immunology, analytical science. 

I was a programme leader for the BSc in Biotechnology/Biology over 9 years, which involved the continuous development and validation of the undergraduate modules, ensuring a quality examination process along with informing and dealing with student and staff issues related to the programme.

I have been a member of new course evaluation panels and an external examiner for undergraduate programmes in other institutes.

Peer Reviewed Publications:

Belaqziz M, Tan SP, El-Abbassi A, Kiai H, Hafdi Abdellatif H, O’Donovan O, McLoughlin P (2017)   Assessment of the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of different olive processing wastewaters.  PLoS ONE 12(9): e0182622 

Duggan S, Cummins W, O’Donovan O.  Hughes H, Owens E.  (2017)  Thiolated polymers as mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.  European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 100: 64-78.

Duggan S, O’Donovan O, Owens E, Duggan E, Hughes H, Cummins W.  (2016) Comparison of the mucoadhesive properties of thiolated polyacrylic acid to thiolated polyallylamine. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 498: 245-253.

Wekesa AL, Doyle LM, Fitzmaurice D, O’Donovan O, Phelan JP, Ross MD, Cross K, Harrison M.  (2016)  Influence of a low-carbohydrate diet on endothelial microvesicles in overweight women.  Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 41: 1-6

Duggan S, Hughes H, Owens E, Duggan E, Cummins W, O’Donovan O.  (2016)  Synthesis and characterisation of mucoadhesive thiolated polallylamine.  International Journal of Pharmaceutics 499: 368-375.

Duggan S, O’ Donovan O, Owens O, Cummins W, Hughes H.  (2015) Synthesis of mucoadhesive thiolated gelatin using a two-step reaction process. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmceutics. 91: 75-81.

Wekesa AL, Cross KS, O’ Donovan O Dowdall JF , O’Brien O, Doyle M, Byrne L, Phelan JP, Ross MD, Landers R, Harrison M.  (2014)  Predicting carotid artery disease and plaque instability from cell-derived microparticles,   Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 48 (5): 489-495.

Prieto ML, O’ Sullivan L, Tan SP, McLoughlin P, Hughes H, O’ Donovan O,  Rea MC, Kent RM, Cassidy JP, Gardiner GE, Lawlor PG.  (2014)  Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a marine-derived Bacillus strain for the use as an in-feed probiotic for newly weaned pigs.  PLoS ONE, 9: 2:  e88599.  doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088599. eCollection 2014.

Walsh MC, Buzoianu SG, Gardiner GE, Rea MC, O’ Donovan O, Ross RP, Lawlor PG.  (2013) Effects of feeding BtMON810 maize to pigs to sows during first gestation and lactation on maternal and offspring health indicators.  British Journal of Nutrition 109: 873-881.

Buzoianu SG, Walsh MC, Rea MC, O’ Donovan O, Gelencser E, Ujhelyi G, RSzabo E, Nagy A, Ross RP, Gardiner GE, Lawlor PG.  (2012) Effects of feeding Bt Maize to sows during gestation and lactation on maternal and offspring immunity and fate of transgenic material.  PLoS ONE, 7: 10

Walsh MC, Buzoianu SG, Rea MC, O’ Donovan O, Gelencser E, Ujhelyi G, Ross RP, Gardiner GE, Lawlor PG.  (2012) Effects of feeding BtMON810 maize to pigs for 110 days on peripheral immune Response and digestive fate of the cry1Ab gene and truncated Bt toxin. PLoS ONE, 7: 5

Ryan S, McLoughlin P, O’ Donovan O (2012) A comprehensive study of metal distribution in three main classes of seaweed.  Environmental Pollution 167: 171-177.

Gooney MA, Murphy L, O’ Donovan O, Lane P, Watson G (2008) Cancer related fatigue and depression in breast cancer survivors.  Irish Journal of Medical Science 177: 24.

Loane E, Nolan J, O’ Donovan O, Bhosale P, Bernstein PS, Beatty S.  (2008)  Transport and retinal capture of lutein and zeaxanthin with reference to age-related macular degeneration.  Survey of Ophthalmology 53: 68-81.

Nolan J, Stack J, O’ Donovan O, Loane E, Beatty S (2007)  Risk for age-related maculopathy is associated with a relative lack of macular pigment.  Exp Eye Res 84: 61-74.

Neelam K, Nolan J, Loane E, Stack J, O’Donovan O, Kah Guan AE, Beatty S.  (2006)  Macular pigment and ocular biometry.  Vision Research 46: 2149-2156.

Nolan J, Stack J, Mellerio J, Godinho M, O’Donovan O, Neelam K, Beatty S.  (2006)  Monthly consistency of macular pigment optical density and serum concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin.  Current Eye Res 31:199-213. 

Neelam K, O’Gorman N, Nolan J, O’Donovan O, Kah Guan AE, Beatty S.  (2005).  Macular pigment levels following successful macular hole surgery.  Br J Ophthalmol 89: 1105-1108. 

Neelam K, Nolan J, O’Gorman N, O’Donovan O, Kah Guan AE, Beatty S. (2005)  Measurement of macular pigment: Raman spectroscopy versus heterochromatic flicker photometry.  Invest Ophth Vis Sci 46(3) 1023-1032

Nolan J, O’ Donovan O, Kavanagh H, Stack J, Harrison M, Muldoon A, Mellerio J and Beatty S.  (2004).  Macular pigment and percentage of body fat.  Invest Ophthal Vis Sci  (IOVS), 45(11) 3940-3950. 

Beatty S, Nolan J, Kavanagh H and O’ Donovan O.  (2004). Macular pigment optical density and its relationship with serum and dietary levels of lutein and zeaxanthin.  Arch Biochem Biophys 430(1) 70-76. 

Book Chapters:

‘Nutrition and Vision’, Butterworth-Heinemann/Elsevier; Section:  Nutrients relevant to ocular health.  Author of three chapters:  (1) Proteins; (2) Fats; (3) Carbohydrates; Orla O’ Donovan, WIT.  Publication, April 2006.

‘The Lutein ‑ prevention and treatment for age‑related diseases’, a review book series of  Chem. Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPS), Noboru Motohashi (ed).  Chapter ‘Evidence that macular pigment protects against AMD and the relationship between macular pigment and serum and dietary levels of lutein and zeaxanthin’, authors: Orla O’ Donovan and Stephen Beatty. Publication, June 2006.

Conference Proceedings:

23 conference presentations and over 30 poster presentations of research findings/activities

Postgraduate supervision

I have supervised seven PhD, one MSc and two MCh postgraduates to completion.

 Promotion of Science

• WIT Stand for RDS Young Scientist Exhibitions, 2003 – 2015.
• Member of the judging panel for SciFest, WIT, 2011-2015.
• WIT, Science week organisation committee member, 1999 – 2010
• Primary School ‘Forensic Course’, 2003-2005.
• ‘Forfas ‘Science Technology and Innovation Awareness Programme’, WIT, 2003-2005.
• Primary School Science Demonstration Days, WIT.
• Organisation of Scientific Demonstrations for WIT open days.

 Promotion of Science

• WIT Stand for RDS Young Scientist Exhibitions, 2003 – 2015.
• Member of the judging panel for SciFest, WIT, 2011-2015.
• WIT, Science week organisation committee member, 1999 – 2010
• Primary School ‘Forensic Course’, 2003-2005.
• ‘Forfas ‘Science Technology and Innovation Awareness Programme’, WIT, 2003-2005.
• Primary School Science Demonstration Days, WIT.
• Organisation of Scientific Demonstrations for WIT open days.