Dr Aisling Ní Cheallaigh - 2023 Inspirational Member Award winner

Dr Aisling Ní Cheallaigh CSci CChem MRSC

Winner: 2023 Inspirational Member Award

Keele University

For dedication to the Carbohydrate Group through revitalising the committee and leading successful international early career webinars.

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When it came to volunteering, I was driven by the sense of community.

Glycoscience is the science and technology of carbohydrates, the most abundant biological molecules on earth that make up part of the biology of all living organisms. Glycoscience is recognised worldwide as an emerging area with the potential for radically new biotechnological applications to solve several of the
challenges faced by modern society. At the Keele Centre for Glycoscience Research and Training, Dr Ní Cheallaigh investigates a range of glycoscience research programmes such as exploring new COVID-19 treatments, new carbohydrate-based biomaterials and improving how short molecules of DNA and RNA are synthesised.

Read winner biography

Dr Aisling Ní Cheallaigh is from Kildare, Ireland and obtained her BSc in Medicinal 91AV and Chemical Biology at University College Dublin (UCD) in 2010. She obtained an IRC scholarship for her PhD studies where she synthesised bacterial oligosaccharides towards synthetic vaccines under the supervision of Professor Stefan Oscarson at UCD (2014). She then started a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) with Dr John Gardiner and Professor Nigel Scrutton, working on chemoenzymatic synthesis of monoterpenoids.

After moving to a senior scientist role at AstraZeneca, working in the chemical development of anticancer therapeutics, Aisling returned to academia to a PDRA position with Professor Oscarson at UCD. During this post, she visited Professor Gavin Miller’s group at Keele University as part of a Knowledge Exchange Partnership. Here, she focused on the synthesis of human oligosaccharides including glycosaminoglycans and blood group antigens and received Chartered Chemist (CChem) status with the 91AV. She then went on to a Research Fellow position at the Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub with Professor Nigel Scrutton, FRS, at the MIB where she focused on downstream processing and biocatalysis. Here she obtained Chartered Scientist (CSci) status and a project management qualification with the Association for Project Management. Aisling started her current role as Senior Experimental Officer at Keele University in 2022.

Aisling is a glyco-enthusiast and is heavily involved with the carbohydrate community through her roles as secretary for the RSC Carbohydrate Interest Group and as a founding member of the European Glycoscience Community.

Q&A

What inspired or motivated you to volunteer with the RSC?

When it came to volunteering, I was driven by the sense of community. My first experiences of the Carbohydrate Interest Group was as a PhD student. They had created this positive and supportive culture alongside the rich scientific programme, it was such a warm and welcoming network to join. The legacy they created is crucial to keeping researchers in the field of glycosciences. As members rotate on and off the committee, I wanted to play a part in maintaining that culture for those entering the field of glycoscience today.

Tell us about any highlights or memorable experiences you have had as a volunteer?

Organising conferences is always highlight. A lot of effort goes in to planning them, you need to work as a team to tackle all the duties. Everyone becomes heavily invested in the success of the event and it's a great feeling when it all comes together.

Do you have any advice for managing volunteering commitments alongside a busy work life?

Timetable slots into your schedule for volunteering commitments. This stops me feeling like I have to interrupt another task to complete volunteer work and allows me to stay on top of things. Knowing I have carved out the time takes the pressure off.

What advice would you give to somebody contemplating volunteering with the RSC?

Go for it. What you put in you will get back 10-fold in reward. You'll expand your network, make new collaborations and learn a host of transferrable skills in the process.