Meet the team
Javier
Javier was trained as an analytical chemist and leads the Analytical Glycoscience group. His research is dedicated to advancing methods for glycan analysis, with a focus on tackling key challenges like the accurate determination of glycan structures and their quantification. Outside of the lab, Javier enjoys sports such as football and squash, watching movies, and spending time with his wife and kids.
Igor
Igor's research focuses on O-glycan profiling with ion mobility-mass spectrometry and improving sample preparation workflows. He combines his PhD with teaching in the Pharmacy curriculum, with a particular focus on therapeutic proteins in the Master鈥檚 programme. Igor enjoys singing in classical choirs, growing and caring for a large collection of tropical houseplants, and exploring fantasy and science fiction across different forms, including movies, theme parks, and video games.
Kevin
Kevin is highly interested in the technological side of mass spectrometry and enjoys studying how instruments work. He applies this technical approach to develop analysis of glycosphingolipids. This relatively understudied field of glycoscience requires characterization of glycans and their attached lipid, both of which are important for the biological function of glycosphingolipids. In his free time, Kevin is often found outdoors, or at the piano with his band or playing classical music.
Julia
Julia is interested in developing analytical methods to learn which human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) isomers are naturally produced and to explore the functions they have in infant development. Her previous work experience provided her with a thorough experience in HPLC, which enables her to achieve the best possible separations for her HMOs. After work, Julia likes dancing, body pump, and being in nature. At the 2025 Jenner Glycobiology conference, Julia won the RSC Republic of Ireland Local Section Glycochemistry Prize for her presentation on de novo sequencing of HMOs using IM-MS.
Shannon
Shannon brings some proteomics background to the group and is particularly interested in N- and O-linked glycosylation. Her project focuses on studying virus-glycan interactions through mass spectrometry-based glycomics, but also encompasses method developments for both glycomics and glycoproteomics. Shannon's hobbies include cross-stitching embroidery and reading.