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Claire Boles

Claire Boles

PhD Researcher

Graduated with a bachelor’s in Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering from UCD (2021), researching the use of Chemical Reaction Engineering models, to simulate Pharmacokinetics. Completed my Masters in Biopharmaceutical Engineering also at UCD (2022). Working with NIBRT to investigate the impact of ITR mutations on AAV genome packaging. I am a member of the Ireland Women’s Sevens Rugby team. Managing large workloads and building strong working relationships through my experience as a student athlete. Having teamwork and analytical skills developed through performing in a high-performance team environment. Currently completing a PhD in optimising cell culture media for the current and future intensification of the bioprocess industry.

Profile photo of Junpend Luo

Junpend Luo

PhD researcher

Junpeng Luo obtained a B.Sc. in Pharmacy from the College of Pharmacy (nationally ranked 7th) at Jinan University (China, 2019) and was then awarded a First-class Honours MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering from University College Dublin (Ireland, 2020). His growing passion for the biopharma industry has guided him to work as a bioprocess trainer and lately as an active scientist in upstream process development (USP). During the period, he led the upstream development of two CMC projects and spearheaded the early development of a perfusion and a HEK fed-batch platform. He participated in the development of various products, including mAbs, BsAbs, fusion proteins, and coagulation factors. His current PhD research focuses on developing a robust, scalable, and reproducible upstream platform for the manufacturing of therapeutic exosomes. The efforts deployed are expected to lay a solid industrial foundation for boosting the treatment of refractory diseases.

junpeng.luo@ucdconnect.ie
Maycou Soares Zamprognio

Maycou Soares Zamprognio

PhD Researcher

I was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at UFES (Brazil, 2016) with sandwich undergraduate course at the University of Debrecen (Hungary, 2014). I was also awarded a M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering at COPPE/UFRJ (Brazil, 2019), in which I developed research on the concentration of Zika virus-like particles (VLPs) by ultrafiltration. Presently, I’m working with the characterisation, modelling and optimization of the cryopreservation and revival of mammalian cells as a PhD student at University College Dublin (Ireland). My current research combines computational tools and experimental methods focused on the biopharmaceutical industry framework, such as: finite element modelling (FEM), hybrid modelling, optimization strategies, cryopreservation, and adherent culture & suspension culture of mammalian cells.

Alex-Bogdanovic-Photo

Alexandra Bogdanovic

PhD Researcher

In 2016, I began my undergraduate studies in Industrial Biochemistry in the University of Limerick. As part of this, I had to complete an 8-month internship in industry. I completed this internship in APC Ltd in Cherrywood, Dublin and worked across both upstream and downstream projects in the Biologics Function where I was introduced to the skills and techniques to be a scientist in both areas. After graduating in 2020, I was employed by APC as a Bioprocess Development Scientist. Since then, I have become proficient in the operation of a variety of processes across upstream and downstream biologics. I have advanced my role from team member to project technical lead here in APC where I have managed teams and planned project work that needs to be executed. In September 2022, I started my PhD in UCD under Dr. Jessica Whelan and Dr. Susan McDonnell. This research is funded by the Irish Research Council and supported by APC, where I continue to work under the IRC employment-based programme.

Contact the Biomanufacturing Research Group

UCD Engineering and Materials Science Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
T: +353 1 716 1825 | E: jessica.whelan1@ucd.ie