Ryan Young Email & Phone Number

Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

County Galway, Ireland

Scientific Accomplishments• At present, I am heading up the chemistry portion of a SFI funded (Science Foundation Ireland, €1.9 million) project looking for new bioactive metabolites from Irish deep-sea corals and sponges. • The extraction, high throughput biological screening, bio-guided iterated purification and ultimately elucidation of the active metabolites. • Metabolomic and statistical analysis of Antipatharia samples to incorporate into a model to map biodiversity, chemodiversity and phylogeography.• Molecular modelling of chemical space of Cnidarian metabolite and FDA approved drugs. Leadership and Teaching Activities • First year general chemistry (CH140 and CP102)• Third year zoology course on Chemical Ecology (ZO315)• Supervising 1st year practical labs (CH120 and CH101). Responsibilities include teaching, safety, and supervision of teaching assistants. • Planning and participating in ROV-based research cruises to collect of biological samples. Management of research accounts and students on the grant. • Received NUI Galway procurement training and Laboratory Safety for PIs.

County Galway, Ireland

Galway

Scientific Accomplishments• Assistance in the development of a marine biodiscovery research group. Research such as isolation of diterpenoids from the Irish nudibranch Archidoris psuedoargus.• Setting up and optimizing analytical instrumentation such as UPLC-QToF and HPLCs. Leadership and Teaching Activities • Course on Natural Product Drug Discovery as part of their third year medicinal chemistry curriculum (CH332). • Leading and planning research cruises and field collections.• Supervision of fourth year and post graduate students in the field and laboratory.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

• Investigation of microbial community of the Palmerolide producing tunicate Synoicum aredaranum. Utilizing metabolomics, metagenomics and genomics we discovered that this medically relevant metabolite originated from the bacterial symbiont rather than the animal itself. We were also able to identify a putative gene cluster for the biosynthetic pathway for these compounds. • Evaluation of the antifeedant properties of the metabolites of the Antarctic sponge Dendrilla membranosa against the sympathetic predators Odontaster validus and Gondogeneia Antarctica. With the use of metabolomics we investigated the ecological force driving the up/down regulation of secondary metabolite production. Leadership Activities • Organising and implementing field actives in Palmer Station, Antarctica. This involved the setting up of the laboratory on station, dive planning and safety. • Managing of the day to day scientific activities of the graduate students and undergraduates in the Baker laboratory. • Supervision of fourth year honour student’s research projects.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Scientific Accomplishments• Development of an artificial trap for the vector of onchocercaisis which is currently being employed by the WHO and The Carter Centre in West Africa and Latin America.• Investigation into the site specific secondary metabolite of the Antarctic red algae Plocamium cartilagineum. In addition the chemical ecology involved in the predation of this algae by amphipods. This studied was the first description of a crustacean sequestering dietary chemistry. • Biological Safety training for BSL2 pathogensLeadership Activities • Leading field teams in Florida, Burkina Faso and Mexico in order to gather data and test vector traps.• Dive team leader for several collection trips. • Managing of the day to day scientific activities of the graduate students and undergraduates in the Baker laboratory. • Supervision of undergraduates and fourth year honour student’s research projects. • Maintenance of equipment

County Galway, Ireland

Scientific Accomplishments• Creation and management of a repository of marine macro and micro organisms. • Development of a high throughput screening program of marine chemical extracts. Leadership Activities • Management of research assistants and interns in the laboratory. • Member of the MI Safety Committee • Public engagement creating awareness about “harnessing our oceans wealth”• Liaising with industry and collaborators involved in biodiscovery• Maintenance of scientific equipment

Scientific Accomplishments• Synthesis, purification and characterization of antiplasmodial diterpenes.• After a high throughput screening programme to identify MRSA pyruvate kinase inhibitors, we were able to isolate and elucidate several alkaloids from a South African sponge. We established a synthetic route to these class of metabolites as well as improve selectivity and activity after a comprehensive structural activity study. • Development of an assay for the evaluation of natural products to inhibit haem polymerization in the malaria parasite. We continued to screen a series of marine isonitriles and proved for the first time that the potent antiplasmodial activity of these compounds in due to their ability to inhibit haem detoxification in the parasite. Leadership and Teaching Activities • During my PhD I was employed to manage the laboratory. This involved the administration and ordering of lab supplies and maintenance of equipment. • Chemistry 1R (remedial stream) lectures.• Demonstrator for practical laboratory techniques and tutor for organic and organic chemistry I, II and III. In my final two years of PhD I was promoted to head demonstrator.• During my PhD I was heavily involved in STEM education. Some of the efforts included a tour of Western Cape schools, for an outreach project to educate over 1500 learners about climate change; teaching Eastern Cape senior school science educators on chemistry as well as teaching high school science and maths at the Kanya Maths and Science Club for disadvantaged students.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Chemistry

Post Doctoral Research, Natural Products Chemistry And Pharmacognosy

Post Doctoral Research, Analytical Chemistry