At airmid healthgroup ltd our mission is to prevent ill health caused by exposure to indoor air pollutants. To achieve this goal we have assembled a unique multidisciplinary team of Clinicians and Specialist Laboratory Scientists in Mycology, Virology, Bacteriology, Allergy and Immunology. Please see below for profiles of our Heads of Department.
Dr Bruce Mitchell
CEO and Chairman
Dr Mitchell is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, the Royal College of Physicians in Canada and is a diplomat of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He is a director of the Immunology Laboratory, Blackrock Clinic and a past President of the Allergy Foundation of Ireland. He has been a member of the WHO sponsored International Workshop on Dust Mite Allergy. Dr Mitchell has extensive business experience within the allergy and asthma specialties and is also co-founder of Mitest Limited a manufacturer of a patented dust collection device that is distributed internationally. Dr Mitchell practices at the Blackrock Clinic as a Consultant Physician and Clinical Immunologist.
Allergen
Máire Fox MSc
Máire is Head of the Allergen Testing Laboratory and Quality Manager. Máire graduated from the National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM) with a BSc in Biology followed by laboratory analyst positions in the Biotechnology Unit in NUIM and the Vitamin Research Laboratory in Trinity College Dublin.
Máire completed a research Masters degree in Prion Disease while working as a Laboratory Analyst in the Prion Research Laboratory in University College Dublin. She subsequently worked in the Department of Agriculture investigating the molecular characteristics of BSE strains in Ireland.
As Quality Manager Máire coordinates the activities required to meet quality standards.
Shola Ibitoye MSc
Shola graduated from University College Dublin with a BSc in General Science and holds a Masters degree in Bioprocess engineering from Dublin City University. Previously, she worked as a research assistant for Enfer Labs and has significant knowledge in veterinary diagnostics. Shola has responsibility for planning, setting up and undertaking allergen and microbiology-related projects.
From allergen quantification via ELISA through to passive allergen chamber studies, she has been involved in a wide range of projects and played a key role in the improvement of our in-house heat escape method to enable a more accurate quantification of dust mite recolonization.
Virology
Mariarita Arenella PhD
Mariarita graduated from the University of Pisa with a degree in Biomolecular Science and Technologies and then completed her PhD in Microbiology at the University of Florence, studying the interactions between prion proteins and soil humic substances. Mariarita has worked in research centres in the UK and Germany, where she gained experience in cutting edge molecular biology techniques.
Siobhain Dermody BSc
Siobhain graduated from Maynooth University with a BSc in Biotechnology. Siobhain joined airmid healthgroup as part of a college work placement and was subsequently hired for a permanent position. Siobhain works as a technician in the allergen and microbiology laboratory as well as in the environmental testing chambers.
Mycology
John Fallon PhD
John graduated from the National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM) with a BSc in Biological Sciences. John remained at NUIM to complete a PhD in the medical mycology unit examining the disease causing potential of environmental isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus in vertebrate and invertebrate immune systems.
John has significant experience in the field of mould culture and phenotypic analysis and has published data concerning the detrimental effects of mycotoxins produced by A. fumigatus on the function of immune cells.
Maiklas Duda BSc
Maiklas graduated from the National University of Ireland Maynooth with a BSc in Biotechnology. He joined airmid healthgroup through his college work placement and was subsequently hired for a permanent position. Maiklas is responsible for microbiological, R&D and environmental test chamber work.
Environmental Test Chambers
Angela Southey PhD, MPH.
Having worked for the company for 9 years, Angela is now working in a new role as Manager of Indoor Health Innovation at airmid healthgroup. In 2015, she studied for the Masters in Public Helath in UCD and graduated with first class honours. Angela is responsible for overseeing the operations of the allergen testing laboratory, in addition to devising new ways of testing and evaluating consumer appliances and technologies designed to deplete biological contaminants (allergens, bacteria, mould or viruses) from the air and surfaces. Examples of the consumer appliances she has evaluated include air cleaners, vacuum cleaners, HVAC filters, antimicrobial textiles and floor coverings. The goal of this work has been to help create safer indoor environments for individuals with asthma, allergies or impaired immunity.
While working in her previous role as Technical Manger, she had responsibility for consumer product assessment in the virology laboratory and environmental test chambers/duct. She also played a key role in the design and set up of airmid healthgroup's facilities, having set up the allergen laboratory and played a key role in the gaining ISO accreditation for two of our ELISA test methods.
Prior to joining airmid, Angela gained considerable technical expertise in virology, cell culture and in vitro diagnostics (IVD), gained in academia (Veterinary College, UCD) and the regulated healthcare industry (Tanabe Seiyaku Pharmaceuticals in Japan, Wyeth Biopharma, Grange Castle in Dublin and Abbott Diagnostics in Sligo) which has been invaluable in her career at airmid healthgroup.
Jake Behan BSc
Jake graduated from the Carlow Institute of Technology with a BSc in Bioscience with Biopharmaceuticals. Jake joined airmid healthgroup under the Jobbridge Internship scheme in 2014 and was subsequently hired for a permanent positon in product testing. Jake is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the environmental testing chambers. Jake also coordinated one of our field studies in the US.
Cathal Fitzpatrick
Cathal is in his third year at DCU where he has been studying Genetics and Cell Biology. He is working in the Allergen Laboratory and the Environmental Chambers under the supervision of Angela Southey.
Project Management
Claire Mernagh BSc
Claire graduated with a BSc in General Science from University College Dublin and went on to earn a Higher Diploma and Higher Certificate in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices programme from the Institute of Technology, Tallaght. Claire previously held a position in the microbiology lab in Slaney Foods International, ensuring quality assurance in all their food products. Claire is now employed as Testing Project Manager on our team and coordinates testing for the asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program. In addition, Claire has coordinated our field studies in the UK and the US.
Bacteriology
Vivienne Mahon PhD
Vivienne graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a B.A. (Mod) degree in microbiology and then remained at Trinity to complete a PhD in molecular microbiology that focused on the regulation of gene expression in enterotoxigenic E. coli.
Vivienne then spent two years as a post-doctoral scientist in the National Institute for Bioprocessing, Research and Training (NIBRT) working on mammalian cell culture media development and optimisation.
Research & Development
Natasha Gordon PhD
Natasha graduated from the University of Auckland with a BSc in biomedical science, she then went on to complete her PhD in Molecular Medicine, studying the effects that Staphylococcus aureus proteins have on the innate immune system. Following her PhD Natasha spent two years as a post-doctoral research fellow at the National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Evelina Guzyte BSc
Evelina graduated from the National University of Ireland Maynooth with a BSc in Biotechnology. She joined airmid healthgroup through her college work placement and was subsequently hired for a permanent position. Evelina works in the Virology and R&D labs where she focuses on cell culture and recombinant protein production and purification.
Sarah Ennis BSc
Sarah graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a BSc in Human Health and Disease. She joined airmid healthgroup on an internship and was subsequently hired for a permanent position. Sarah works mainly in the R&D laboratory with a focus on antibody purification.
Rose Waldron BSc
PhD Student
Rose graduated from the National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM) in 2014 with a BSc in Biomedical Science. Rose was awarded the prestigious Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scholarship to pursue a post graduate degree and joined airmid healthgroup in July 2014 to begin her research under the supervision of Prof Sean Doyle, Natasha Gordon PhD and Dr David Fitzpatrick. This funding facilitates a three year collaboration between airmid healthgroup and Prof Sean Doyle of NUIM.
Hanadi Al-Lawati
Hanadi is a third year Genetics and Cell Biology student at Dublin City University. She will be working under the supervision of Natasha Gordon for six months, and will be focusing on gene cloning and protein purification.
Sales
Graeme Tarbox BA (Hons)
Since joining airmid healthgroup in 2012, Graeme has developed a thorough understanding of the company and how the services we offer can add value to those interested in improving health in the built environment. Graeme is involved in managing our relationships with NPOs and government agencies, as well as developing our client base to include some of the world's most innovative companies. Graeme graduated from Exeter University with a degree in Classics and holds a Level 3 Certificate in Investment from the Securities & Investment Institute. He has previously held senior posts in the residential and commercial property industry in the UK.
Brian Tighe BA (Hons)
Brian recently graduated from Maynooth University with a BA in Digital Media and Anthropology and has a wide range of experience having worked in the marketing sector and for companies such as Deutsche Bank & KPMG. This variety of experience has given him a unique perspective and approach. Brian is involved in curating marketing content and helps to maintain and grow airmid healthgroup's client base.
Finance
John Carroll FCA
John trained as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst and Young, Dublin and has more than fifteen years post qualification experience in a range of sectors. He has a broad knowledge of licensing gained as a result of his roles as a record company CFO and founder and Financial Director of DP Music Limited, a successful music publishing company.
Consultants
Dave Morrissey
IT & Digital Strategy
Dave has been working with airmid healthgroup since 2009. His key responsibilities are in the Information Technology, Consumer Insights/Data and Digital Strategy sectors of the business.
Over the past several years Dave and his team have developed airmid healthgroup related web sites, database applications, CRM and e-marketing.
Administration
Tracy Cullen
Tracy joined airmid healthgroup as office manager in 2008 and is responsible for the general day-to-day running of the office.
Tracy has spent all of her career working in administration and sales in various business sectors. She became interested in the medical profession after working as an administrator for the BUPA Ireland Health@Work Team where she was responsible for medical reports, invoicing and coordination of all health screening projects.