Dr Fearnhead completed a BSc. in Pharmacology and Toxicology at the London School of Pharmacy in 1991, before beginning a PhD. in apoptosis at the MRC-Toxicology Centre, Leicester, UK. In 1995 Dr Fearnhead began a post-doctoral fellowship at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY before becoming a principal investigator at the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, Maryland in 1999. In 2004 Dr Fearnhead moved to the National Centre of Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway and in 2006 was appointed a lecturer in the discipline of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Decades of research have defined the molecular events of apoptosis that lead to cell death. Put simply, different molecular pathways, activated by diverse signals, converge on the activation of protease called caspases that cut specific proteins. The cutting of proteinsrapidly and irreversibly dismantle the condemned cell. From these studies emerged the ideas that apoptosis protects us from tumourigenesis and that cancer chemotherapy works by inducing apoptosis.We are particularly interested in investigating the provocative idea that death-inducing caspases are far more versatile than previously thought, an idea that has important implications for how we view the role of apoptosis in a range of different processes including cell differentiation, tissue repair, tumourigenesis and cancer therapy.

I am interested in developing new ways to teach cancer chemotherapy, molecular mechanisms of toxicitycell death mechanisms and marrying these activities with chemi-informatics training.Current teaching in the domains of: · Molecular pharmacology and biochemical toxicology to undergraduate students in the College of Science and the College of Medicine. Molecular pharmacology, biochemical toxicology and small molecule screening to postgraduate students and post-doctoral researchers in the College of Science, the College of Medicine and College of Engineering. Teaching through: · Lectures · Small group tutorials and problem-based learning · Laboratory-based practical training · Self-directed learning exercises Methods of assessment that are employed: · Continual assessment through computer based exams, written assignments, student presentations (both poster and seminar presentations) · End of semester examinations with essay style and problem-based questions presented in paper and electronic format · Completion of a laboratory-based research thesis. Development of new coursesA new 5 ECTs taught Masters course in Toxicology and Chemo-informatics is being developed in cooperation with NUIGs mathematics discipline (Rr Pilib Ó Broin) and with the participation of an industry partner (Dr Rafael Gozalbes, ProtoQSAR). Course development will involve seconding NUIG staff to ProtoQSAR in 2017 for intersectoral training periods (funded by RISE) with the first student intake of 10 in 20182019. Structured PhD and post-doctoral training A new 5 ECTS module (PM5114) for the structured PhD programme to train researchers in screening techniques. This involves intersectoral collaboration with Fraunhofer IME-SP, Hamburg and industry contributions. The course is offered to Science, Medicine and Engineering. In 2018 it will be offered to industry on a fee-for-access basis.