WHERE WERE YOU BEFORE RECEIVING THIS AWARD?
In 2018, I was in my job 2 years, during which time I was tasked to build an equine ambulatory field service and develop an equine ambulatory element to the equine clinical skills rotation. Therefore, although research was a huge interest of mine, I felt I could never find the time or head space to truly dedicate myself to the research element of my academic role. Although I had managed to find some very low-level funding and begun the process of a PhD, I felt overwhelmed with the challenge of resourcing my research aspirations with both time and money.
YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT IN LAY TERMS
We assessed the effect of a weight-loss programme, comprising of restricted diet and a prescribed exercise regime, on overweight horses and their gut flora. The weight-loss programme was successful, with no ill-effects to the horses and the programme resulted in an indication of an increase in the horses’ intestinal health. This study provides the foundation for more in-depth research into indicators of intestinal health associated with weight loss. This could lead to gut flora centred approach that enhances current methods of treatment of obesity both in horse and man.
HOW HAS ISSF HELPED YOUR RESEARCH CAREER?
The UCD-Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund Clinical Primer Scheme has afforded me two essential elements for research development – time and belief. This was the first significant grant I have ever been awarded and, as an earlier researcher, this gave me the encouragement to take on the challenge of research with confidence. The clinical buyout time was invaluable and enabled me to delve into my subject matter of interest and beyond. Thanks to this opportunity I have been able to finish my PhD work, which I defended successfully on 1st of February 2022 and am now determined to continue my research well beyond the constraints of my PhD.
TANGIBLE OUTPUTS AS A RESULT OF RECEIVING THE AWARD
Successful completion of my PhD
Publications
- Walshe N, Cabrera-Rubio R, Collins R, Puggioni A, Gath V, Crispie F, Cotter PD, Brennan L, Mulcahy G, Duggan V. A Multiomic Approach to Investigate the Effects of a Weight Loss Program on the Intestinal Health of Overweight Horses. Front Vet Sci (2021) 8:1–16. doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.668120
- Walshe, N., Mulcahy, G., Hodgkinson, J., and Peachy, L. 2020 No worm is an island. the influence of commensal gut microbiota on cyathostomin infection. Animals.
- Walshe, N., Mulcahy, G., Cabrera-Rubio, R., Crispie, F., Cotter, P., Jahnes, H., and Duggan, V. 2020. Outbreak of Acute Larval Cyathostominosis – A “perfect storm” of inflammation and dysbiosis. Equine Veterinary Journal.
- Walshe, N., Duggan, V., Cabrera-Rubio, R., Crispie, F., Cotter, P., Feehan, O. and Mulcahy, G., 2019. Removal of adult cyathostomins alters faecal microbiota and promotes an inflammatory phenotype in horses. International journal for parasitology, 49(6), pp.489-500.
Conferences
- World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) Equine cyathostomin infection and homeostasis – gut microbiota, inflammation, and immune responses – N Walshe, V Duggan, H Jahns, E Nugent, R CabreroRubio, F Crispie, G Mulcahy
- World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) Have we ever asked why? – A qualitative study of perceived barriers and facilitators of parasite control programmes on Thoroughbred Studs. N.Walshe, A. Regan, G. Mulcahy, V. Duggan, A. Burrell
- American Association of Veterinary Parasitology (AAEP) June 2020 “Cyathostominosis – looking at the spectrum of disease through the lens of clinical cases”
- Irish Society of Parasitology (ISP), September 2019 “Outbreak of Acute Larval Cyathostominosis – An imbalance in the large intestinal ecological environment in the horse”
- World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), July 2019 “Outbreak of Acute Larval Cyathostominosis After Anthelmintic Treatment: Investigation of the Clinico-Pathological Parameters and the Faecal Microbiome Changes in Twelve Horses”
Grants
- UCD2 Transatlantic One Health Alliance, 2020: ¤60,000 – Predicting the Phenotype of Helminth Susceptibility in Horses and Translational Applications. (co-investigator)
- SFI Covid Programme, 2020: ¤857,050 Understanding and Preventing COVID-19 Outbreaks in Meat Processing PlantsPrepared for the Future (UPCOM). (Work package lead)
- UCD Learning Enhancement Project funding scheme, 2020: €5,000 grant for project titled Communication Skills Project – the development of a professional skill that is critical to student success. (Principal investigator)
- John O’Connor Award 2020: Project titled: Faecal calprotectin as a marker of intestinal inflammation in horses.
Spin-off Projects
- Faecal Calprotectin Project
- Abattoir Study – To investigate the effects of cyathostomin infection on the intestinal microbiota and the intestinal immune response.
WHAT DID THE AWARD MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY?
As mentioned above this grant gave me the belief and time to invest in my research career. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.