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Niamh B. O'Hara

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Dr. Niamh O'Hara, an evolutionary biologist, is the CEO and co-founder of Biotia. Additionally, Dr. O'Hara is a research assistant professor in the Department of Cell Biology at SUNY Downstate Health Science University and co-founder of GeoSeeq Foundation.[1][2][3][4][5]

Niamh O'Hara
EducationPh. D. in evolutionary ecology and genomics from Stony Brook University
Occupation(s)Evolutionary biologist, CEO and co-founder of Biotia
Websitehttps://www.biotia.io/

Education[change | change source]

Dr O'Hara studied at New York University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences in 2005. Later, in 2014, she received her Ph. D. in evolutionary ecology and genomics from Stony Brook University. Dr. O'Hara also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in metagenomics and business at Cornell Tech in 2018.[1]

Career[change | change source]

During her time at Cornell Tech, she founded a health-tech startup called Biotia, Biotia uses sequencing-based technology and AI software to identify microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance which focuses on innovative technology for diagnosing and managing infectious diseases and drug resistance. Biotia's headquarters are in Brooklyn, New York.[6][7][8] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. O'Hara partnered with Twist Bioscience and obtained FDA emergency use authority for a Next-Generation Sequencing test to identify genetic variations in SARS-CoV2. In 2022, she secured an $8 million investment (Series A Financing) for Biotia, with OCA Ventures leading the funding. Additionally, while at Biotia, Dr. O'Hara co-founded the GeoSeeq Foundation—a nonprofit supporting pathogen survellance in low and middle-income countries.[9][10]

In 2023, Dr. O'Hara spoke at the United Nations General Assembly about creaing an early warning system for global pandemics. She represented SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and Biotia. Other scientists from organizations like The Rockefeller Foundation, City University of New York, Institute Pasteur, and Oswaldo Cruz Foundation were also part of the panel.[11][12]

Research & Studies[change | change source]

Dr. O'Hara wrote scientific articles that other experts reviewed. These articles cover topics like metagenomics, genomics, evolutionary biology, and ecology.[13][14][15][16]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. O'Hara studied the SARS-C0V2 virus to learn more about it. She focused on ways to track and treat the Virus.[17] Her research included studying vaccines, finding different virus variants, and developing methods to detect it.[18][19][20]

Dr. O'Hara studied how changes in climate and temperature affect certain ecosystems. She specifically analyzed the impact of the volcanic event at Mt. St. Helens.[21][22]

Dr. O'Hara researched about how to keep astronauts and future space travelers safe from harmful germs. She also looks at how space affects how living things change over time.[23][24][25][26][27]

She has researched urinary tract infections and skin diseases. She wants to improve privacy and cleanliness for patients.[28]

Awards[change | change source]

In 2013, Dr. O'Hara won the Graduates School Awards at Stony Brook University.[29]

In 2020, she was named a TedMed Hive Innovator of 2020.[30]

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Niamh O'Hara _ Team member | Biotia – Fighting infectious diseases, powered by genomics + AI". www.biotia.io. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  2. ↑ "Niamh O'Hara". Hyperplane. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  3. ↑ "bio Niamh o'hara". NextMed Health: Re-imagining the Future of Health and Medicine. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  4. ↑ "Niamh O'Hara | CEO and Cofounder - Biotia". Forbes Business Council. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  5. ↑ Xiong, Michelle. "Biotia, Pioneering Pathogen Detection Company, Raises $2.4M Seed Round, Expands Scientific Advisory Board". businesswire. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  6. ↑ "What if we could understand the invisible microbial world around us?". TEDMED. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  7. ↑ "Biotia". Cornell Tech. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  8. ↑ "Cornell Tech - Collaborative Startup Will Monitor Pathogens in Hospital Settings". Cornell Tech. 2017-05-08. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  9. ↑ "Twist Bioscience and Biotia Receive U.S. FDA Emergency Use Authorization for First Hybridization Capture-Based Next-Generation Sequencing SARS-CoV-2 Assay". twistbioscience. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  10. ↑ reporter, staff. "Biotia Raises $8M in Series A Financing". genomeweb. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  11. ↑ Releases, 9 February 2023 | Press. "UN General Assembly hears calls for pathogen surveillance and early warning platform | General Assembly of the United Nations". Retrieved 2024-06-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ Danko, D., Golden, J., Vörösmarty, C., Cak, A., Corsi, F., Mason, C.E., Maciel-deFreitas, R., Nagy-Szakal, D., O’Hara, N. (2023) The Challenges and Opportunities in Creating an Early Warning System for Global Pandemics
  13. ↑ Bishop, John G.; O'Hara, Niamh B.; Titus, Jonathan H.; Apple, Jennifer L.; Gill, Richard A.; Wynn, Louise (2010-10-26). "N-P Co-Limitation of Primary Production and Response of Arthropods to N and P in Early Primary Succession on Mount St. Helens Volcano". PLOS ONE. 5 (10): e13598. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013598. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 2964294. PMID 21049006.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  14. ↑ "322. Clinical-Grade Metagenomics in Urinary Tract Infections: Improving Performance of Next-Generation Sequencing Assays Using Internal Controls and Machine Learning". academic. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  15. ↑ A global metagenomic map of urban microbiomes and antimicrobial resistance
  16. ↑ Ounit, Rachid; Mason, Chris; Lonardi, Stefano; O'Hara, Niamh (2019). "A Metagenomic Analysis of Environmental and Clinical Samples Using a Secure Hybrid Cloud Solution". Journal of Biomolecular Techniques : JBT. 30 (Suppl): S2. ISSN 1524-0215. PMC 6934070.
  17. ↑ Connor, Bradley A; Couto-Rodriguez, Mara; Barrows, Joseph E; Gardner, Morgan; Rogova, Marina; O'Hara, Niamh B.; Nagy-Szakal, Dorottya (2021-09-01). "Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in a Vaccine Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Hospitalized Delta (B.1.617.2) Variant Case". International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 110: 232–234. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2021.07.029. ISSN 1201-9712.
  18. ↑ Butler, Daniel; Mozsary, Christopher; Meydan, Cem; Foox, Jonathan; Rosiene, Joel; Shaiber, Alon; Danko, David; Afshinnekoo, Ebrahim; MacKay, Matthew; Sedlazeck, Fritz J.; Ivanov, Nikolay A. (2021-03-12). "Shotgun transcriptome, spatial omics, and isothermal profiling of SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals unique host responses, viral diversification, and drug interactions". Nature Communications. 12 (1): 1660. doi:10.1038/s41467-021-21361-7. ISSN 2041-1723.
  19. ↑ Westover, Craig; Rahmatulloev, Savlatjon; Danko, David; Afshin, Evan E.; O’Hara, Niamh B.; Ounit, Rachid; Bezdan, Daniela; Mason, Christopher E. (2023-01). "Ozone Disinfection for Elimination of Bacteria and Degradation of SARS-CoV2 RNA for Medical Environments". Genes. 14 (1): 85. doi:10.3390/genes14010085. ISSN 2073-4425. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  20. ↑ Wells, Heather L; Barrows, Joseph; Couto-Rodriguez, Mara; Jirau Serrano, Xavier O; Debieu, Marilyne; Wessel, Karen; Jonsson, Colleen B; Connor, Bradley A; Mason, Christopher; Nagy-Szakal, Dorottya; O’Hara, Niamh B (2021-12-04). "355. A Novel Likelihood-Based Model to Estimate SARS-CoV-2 Viral Titer from Next-Generation Sequencing Data". Open Forum Infectious Diseases. 8 (Suppl 1): S281–S282. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofab466.556. ISSN 2328-8957. PMC 8690726.
  21. ↑ "The Influence of Drought on the Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics of Fungal Pathogenesis in an Annual Plant, Brassica rapa - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  22. ↑ O’Hara, Niamh B.; Franks, Steven J.; Kane, Nolan C.; Tittes, Silas; Rest, Joshua S. (2021-04-21). "Evolution of pathogen response genes associated with increased disease susceptibility during adaptation to an extreme drought in a Brassica rapa plant population". BMC Ecology and Evolution. 21 (1): 61. doi:10.1186/s12862-021-01789-7. ISSN 2730-7182. PMC 8060997. PMID 33882815.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  23. ↑ Daudu, Robert; Parker, Ceth W.; Singh, Nitin K.; Wood, Jason M.; Debieu, Marilyne; O’Hara, Niamh B.; Mason, Christopher E.; Venkateswaran, Kasthuri (2020-07-30). Stajich, Jason E. (ed.). "Draft Genome Sequences of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Strains Isolated from the International Space Station". Microbiology Resource Announcements. 9 (31). doi:10.1128/MRA.00570-20. ISSN 2576-098X. PMC 7393961. PMID 32732232.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  24. ↑ Simpson, Anna C.; Urbaniak, Camilla; Singh, Nitin K.; Wood, Jason M.; Debieu, Marilyne; O’Hara, Niamh B.; Mason, Christopher E.; Venkateswaran, Kasthuri (2021-04-29). Rasko, David (ed.). "Draft Genome Sequences of Various Bacterial Phyla Isolated from the International Space Station". Microbiology Resource Announcements. 10 (17). doi:10.1128/MRA.00214-21. ISSN 2576-098X. PMC 8086211. PMID 33927037.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  25. ↑ Bharadwaj, Achintya R.; Daudu, Robert; Singh, Nitin K.; Wood, Jason M.; Debieu, Marilyne; O’Hara, Niamh B.; Karouia, Fathi; Mason, Christopher E.; Venkateswaran, Kasthuri (2020-09-10). Rasko, David (ed.). "Draft Genome Sequences of Enterobacteriales Strains Isolated from the International Space Station". Microbiology Resource Announcements. 9 (37). doi:10.1128/MRA.00817-20. ISSN 2576-098X. PMC 7484075. PMID 32912916.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  26. ↑ Solomon, Samuel A.; Bharadwaj, Achintya R.; Singh, Nitin K.; Wood, Jason M.; Debieu, Marilyne; O’Hara, Niamh B.; Mason, Christopher E.; Venkateswaran, Kasthuri (2020-10-15). Baltrus, David A. (ed.). "Draft Genome Sequences of Klebsiella Species Isolated from the International Space Station". Microbiology Resource Announcements. 9 (42). doi:10.1128/MRA.00923-20. ISSN 2576-098X.
  27. ↑ Bharadwaj, Achintya R.; Singh, Nitin K.; Wood, Jason M.; Debieu, Marilyne; O’Hara, Niamh B.; Karouia, Fathi; Mason, Christopher E.; Venkateswaran, Kasthuri (2020-09-24). Dunning Hotopp, Julie C. (ed.). "Draft Genome Sequences of Lactobacillales Isolated from the International Space Station". Microbiology Resource Announcements. 9 (39). doi:10.1128/MRA.00942-20. ISSN 2576-098X. PMC 7516158. PMID 32972947.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: PMC format (link)
  28. ↑ O'Hara, Niamh B (2020-08-14), Dayan, Nava (ed.), "Next Generation Sequencing Reveals the Skin Microbiome", Skin Microbiome Handbook (1 ed.), Wiley, pp. 261–275, doi:10.1002/9781119593058.ch13, ISBN 978-1-119-59223-5, retrieved 2024-06-26
  29. ↑ "Congratulations, 2013 Graduate School Award Winners - SBU News". 2013-05-24. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  30. ↑ "The Hive Program". TEDMED. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
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