People

Leonard Koolman

Assistant Lecturer in Microbiology

Education

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology (2010), University College Dublin, Ireland
Master of Science in Biotechnology (2011), University College Dublin, Ireland
PhD in Molecular Microbiology (2014), University College Dublin, Ireland
Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching & Learning (2025), Technological University Dublin, Ireland

Research Overview

As a research microbiologist, my work sits at the intersection of food safety, environmental microbiology, and microbial biotechnology. I am particularly driven by the urgent need to mitigate the public health risks associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within the food chain, an issue growing more complex under the growing pressure of climate change and emerging environmental pollutants, such as microplastics and per- and polyfluroalkyl substances (PFAS).

My research explores how these factors influence the ecology, evolution and transmission dynamics of foodborne pathogens like Campylobacter, with a focus on mechanisms driving the spread of AMR in agricultural and aquatic systems. I employ a systems-based appraoch, integrating molecular microbiology, metagenomics and environmental surveillance to inform risk assessment and sustainable intervention strategies.

Recently, I've expanded my research vision to encompass the biotechnological potential of electrogenic bacteria, microbes capable of generating electricity through microbial fuel cells. I am investigating how these remarkable organisms can be harnessed not only to degrade pollutants and capture greenshouse gases, but to also generate clean, green energy as part of a circular, climate-resilient bioeconomy.

Teaching

I am currently an Assistant Lecturer based in the School of Biological, Health & Sports Science. I am also the Year 1 tutor for TU751 (Biosciences). I teach on several undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the School including BSc Biosciences, BSc Biomedical & Molecular Diagnostics, BSc Public Health Nutrition, BSc, Medical Science and MSc Clinical Laboratory Science.

For the 2025-26 academic year, I teach the following modules:

Fundamental Biology (BIOL1411)
Infection & Immunity (BIOL1602)
Microbial Diagnostics (BIOL2607)
Environmental Microbiology (BIOL3005)
Biotechnology 1: Upstream (BIOL3001)
Biotechnology 2: Downstream (BIOL3002)
Microbial Genomics (BIOL4011)
Molecular Diagnostics & Applied Bioinformatics (BIOL9241)

Dissemination activities

Member of the Klebnet-GSP Epidemiology Working Group
Topical advisory panel member for the journal Bacteria
Guest editor for the journal Plant Physiology & Biochemistry
Review editor for the journal Frontiers in Microbiology
Organising committee member for the International Conference on Microplastics, Nanoplastics & Human Health (University College Dublin, 2024)