As a dualist, I have expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, enabling me to contextualise qualitative findings with robust quantitative data as well as adding the richness of qualitative discoveries to quantitative results, with particular expertise in strategy-focused research, proposition testing and brand & ad investigation both nationally and internationally.

Research fellow, providing scientific and technical support to the organization. Main duties included contribution to reports and consumer focused reviews for the general population and key subgroups throughout the island of Ireland; development of methodological approaches to and coordination of activity in research performed by external parties; contribution to the development, maintenance and evaluation of safefood’s digital and social media programme, including communications with safefood’s general public and professional audiences through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest; development and management of a network of scientific specialists and practitioners working in the area of food related behaviour and developing and generating content for a weekly newsletter for the above network. Co-authored an article titled ‘Digital and Social Media Opportunities for Dietary Behaviour Change’ (available here http://bit.ly/1xddF5E)

Working on a HRB funded Quantitative and Qualitative Investigation of Dietary Patterns among Patients at a Weight Loss Clinic, in conjunction with St. Vincent's Hospital and St.Colmcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown. Duties include carrying out qualitative interviews with patients and St. Colmcille's hospital regarding their dietary habits and lifestyle, recruitment of patients for the quantitative aspect of the study, data entry, database management.Assisting with qualitative analysis of patient interviews at the moment which will lead to preparation of articles for publication in peer reviewed journals.

Research assistant in an EU-funded FoodRisC project, looking at ‘Tracking and evaluation of the use of new and classical media in food risk/benefit communication’. Duties included carrying out a literature review on ‘influence measures’ in social media in relation to food communication, carrying out a direct survey of the contributors to online information communities by analysing a social media dataset as well as writing a report on the findings to be included in the final deliverable ‘Report on a recent case study: tracking and evaluation of the use of new and classical media in 2008 dioxin found in Irish pork and beef’.

Research assistant in a HRB funded 'Lifestyle in Pregnancy Study' with Prof. Finnuala McAulif as PI. This study looked at the influence of lifestyle habits and psychological well-being on weight gain during pregnancy. Duties included recruitment of 1100 participants, data collection, data entry, database management, follow up of the participants etc.

Research assistant in a consumer and regulatory affairs project on behalf of FHI (Food for Health Ireland). Duties include keeping up to date with current food legislation and EFSA opinions and updates in relation to health claims and nutrition labeling, conducting a review of the literature on consumer attitudes and perceptions of functional foods and health claims, developing a survey to measure consumer acceptance and understanding of functional foods, writing reports and providing updates to supervisors in relation to the findings and providing support and assistance with any issues as they arose.

Responsible for referencing and editing an IHF document on Childhood Nutrition Guidelines and Food Related Behavior for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease. Duties include researching and reviewing the literature, referencing the document and providing feedback and update reports to IHF about the progress.

Productive member of the quality control /assurance team. Duties included routine quality control checks in various areas of the plant, organoleptic testing, reporting to and updating the quality control manager, documenting and recording various quality control reports and in general providing support and assistance to the team in any way possible. This experience was graded as part of my undergraduate degree, which I passed with distinction.