Career profile: 1997-present: Permanent lecturer in Biochemistry amp; Head of the Molecular Glycobiotechnology Group, School of Natural Sciences, NUI, Galway 1993-1997: Research Group Leader, Dept. of Biochemistry, NUI Galway 1991-1993: Research Scientist (post-doctoral) University of Gent, Belgium, BSH Institut für Holzchemie, Hamburg, Germany amp; NUI Galway 2007: Diploma in French, NUI Galway PhD research (Biochemistry), University College Galway; B.Sc. (Biochemistry), University College Galway (Recipient of one of 10 University entrance scholarships) Brief Biography: Dr. Maria TuohyisPrincipal Investigator and head ofthe Molecular Glycobiotechnology Group (MGBG). Dr. Tuohyhas a strong track record in Glycobiotechnology and Enzyme Biotechnology, with ~25 years experience in fungal biology and biotechnology. A special focus ofthe research is on developing enabling technology for bioconversion of terrestrial plants and algae for biorefinery and bioenergy applications. This research encompasses protein biotechnology, molecular enzymology, proteomics, fungal genetics, biology and genomics, fermentation, analytical methods in glycobiology and protein biochemistry, development of novel energy systems, as well as key analytical methods to measure and characterize novel bioactive compounds from microbial, plant and marine sources. Understanding fungal biodiversity and the relationships between fungi and other organisms (terrestrial plants and marine life) forms a centraltheme that underpins the research on developing fungi as cell factories for production of enzymes andbioactives of biotechnological relevance.Research to date has involved ongoing collaboration with industry. Dr. Tuohy is one of 5 PIs in the EI-IDA supported, industry-led, national Technology Centre for Biorefining and Bioenergy (TCBB) and more recently, TCBB Resource. Through TCBB is involved in the European Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) and was a PI on the Technological Innovation workpackage of an EU FP7 INTERREG IVB NWE Programme (ReNEW), which was coordinated by The Queens University Belfast and involved a consortium of RTD, Industry and regional development organisations across NW Europe. Dr. Tuohy is also a co-PI on Pillar 5 of the recent national Dairy Processing Technology Centre (DPTC; 25m funding), since February 2015, and a collaborating PI in the recent SFI-Industry supported Sustainable Energy amp; Fuel Efficiency Spoke in MaREI Research Centre. Dr. Tuohy amp; her group are members of the Energy Research Centre and Environmental Technologies PRA group, Ryan Institute, NUI Galway, Ireland. Dr. Tuohy has successfully mentored 33 PhD students to completion to-date, and was awarded a prestigious Presidents Award for Teaching Excellence in 2011-2012 by NUI Galway

Novel thermostable enzymes and non-catalytic proteins from fungal sources (Enzyme biodiscovery), especially biomass-modifying enzymes (carbohydrases, proteases, oxidoreductases), and cell wall disrupting proteins. Protein production, engineering and molecular genetics of thermophilic and mesophilic fungal species, their optimization and exploitation as cell factories for biotechnological applications; Structure-Function, enzymatic modification amp; mechanism of action of bioactive molecules from marine, fungal and terrestrial plant sources (Glycobioengineering); Enzymes as key biorefinery and green chemistry tools.

Biochemistry of Carbohydrates and (Glyco)proteins from eukaryotes (fungi, plants, marine algae, animalshumans) Understanding protein structure-function relationships through investigating enzymesenzyme systems Biodiversity, evolution and interactions of fungi with other host and non-host lifeforms, with a focus on terrestrial plants, marine algae and marine animals. Fungal and plant natural products. Modern analytical technologies (bioseparation and mass spectrometry) used in proteomics and secretomics approaches to understand biomolecule function in vitro and in vivo . Blended and innovative learning and training methodologies and their application to laboratory and non-laboratory teachingtraining in biochemistry to support student engagement, self-directed and peer learning and future career development.