Karen Flanagan, is a Quality Operations Manager with Boston Scientific supporting their EO Sterilization, Packaging and Microbiology Business. Karen joined the Sterilization team during the commercial expansion of the facility. Based in Galway, Ireland, Karen has worked in Industry for the last 9 years and holds a BSc in Biochemistry as well as an MSc and MBA.
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Jillian Guest-Barden is a Principal Sterilization Engineer with Boston Scientific supporting their EO Sterilization Business. Most recently Jillian has supported the construction and commercialisation of the new EO Sterilization facility in the Galway site. Jillian holds a Higher Diploma in Project Management, B.Eng. in Production Engineering and Dip in Physics and Industrial Instrumentation and has worked in the Medical Device Industry for 25 years.
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Gerry is Senior Principal Quality Engineer in the Sterility Assurance team at the Galway Parkmore Medtronic facility. Gerry has over 25 years of industry experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries; 7 years of which has been at Medtronic. Gerry received his B.A. degree in Microbiology from the University College Galway. He is a Certified Industrial Sterilization Specialist to the AAMI Credentials Institute and holds accreditation for CISS-Ethylene Oxide.
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Margaret O’ Halloran is a Principal Scientist of Microbiological Quality and Sterility Assurance at Johnson & Johnson Vision, supporting all Vision Care and Surgical Vision manufacturing sites in the EU. In conjunction with J&J, she has lectured on the UCC Biopharmaceutical & MD Microbiology undergraduate course, and is member the J&J Sterilization Council which is an Enterprise function .Prior to joining J&J , she has held senior positions in various multinational MedTech companies with responsibilities for sterilization in EMEA, US and other global locations. In 2020, Margaret developed guidelines and protocols, and presented to a national audience on a manufacturing site’s response to the Covid-19 crisis in terms of contamination prevention and best practices. Margaret is the current Vice Chair of the IMA Sterility Assurance forum, and is an active member of multiple ISO working groups for sterility assurance. She is an advocate for innovation and development of the sector and has been the industry lead for development of the Postgraduate programme in End-to-End Sterility Assurance in association with Skillnet and ATU which launched in 2023.
Margaret has a background in the study of Science, Technology & Innovation, Operations Engineering , at NUIG, UCC and UL, and holds a MSc in Medical Device Regulatory Technology from NUI Galway and Sligo IT.
Philip is a Director for Sterilisation Operations with Alcon supporting their European surgical sites and Global Sterilisation Strategy. Philip joined Alcon in 2000 as a Quality Engineer before taking on roles of increasing responsibility including the Cork site’s EO Sterilisation process. Philip holds an MSc in Materials Science as well as a Professional Diploma in Strategy & Innovation and has worked in the Medical Device Industry for 24 years.
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Mary Rijksen (B. Sc. Sci Microbiology, MSc. Biotechnology (NUIG) is an experienced Operations, Sterilization and Quality professional with over 20 years’ experience directly in the Sterilization sector. Prior to this, Mary worked in the MedTech and Biotechnology sectors both in Ireland and The Netherlands. Mary is currently Senior Regional Operations Director, prior to this she was Ireland Operations Director. Mary is currently responsible for multiple Sterilization facilities in Ireland, Italy and France covering various business segments including Ethylene Oxide (EO), Electron beam, Gamma and soon to be Xray. Before transitioning to Operations, Mary had Quality Operations, Regulatory and Compliance responsibilities at over 25 sites in 11 countries in EMEA.
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Olivier Vrain is the Radiation Plant Manager at STERIS AST Tullamore, where he oversees the operations of two electron beam irradiators and is spearheading the X-Ray installation project. With a BSc in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science, Olivier has been with STERIS AST since 2006, contributing significantly to the healthcare industry. His roles have included E-Beam Technical Engineer and Radiation Technical Manager for the UK & Ireland. Olivier is also an active member of the ASTM E61 on Dosimetry Committee and the Panel on Gamma & Electron Irradiation, reflecting his deep expertise and commitment to advancing radiation technology.
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Ursula Farrell, Director Customer Management & Engagement has over 20 years’ experience in the Sterilization industry in various global roles. Ursula is a highly skilled and experienced Technical Sales and Marketing professional that has managed multiple global accounts across all sterilization modalities and associated testing services. Ursula is dedicated to building strong partnerships with the STERIS Customer base, understanding their specific needs and providing support throughout the Sterilization life cycle.
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