Overview
Mary is a Research Fellow working with Prof Jo Bowtell. She is currently working on research projects investigating the effects of bioactive compounds on exercise-induced muscle damage, and postmenopausal bone and muscle health. She has recieved Principal Investigator funding from Pukka Herbs and pre-seedcorn funding from the Wellcome Trust-supported Translational Research Exchange at Exeter. She has received a Co-Investigator funding via PepsiCo, the Cherry Marketing Institute and an ESRC IAA Rapid Response Fund award. She co-supervises two PhD students with Prof Bowtell.
Mary is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has completed an Advanced Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. She is a Scientific Communication Tutor for the BSc in Medical Sciences and contributes to laboratory practical teaching for the BSc in Exercise and Sport Sciences. She has previously been a Respiratory Medicine Tutor at the University of Birmingham and has taught on the University of Birmingham's MSc in Musculoskeletal Ageing.
Mary completed a Wellcome Trust supported MRes/PhD programme at the University of Birmingham in 2018. Her PhD work investigated the role of adipose and skeletal muscle derived cytokines in in vitro human myogenesis and was supervised by Dr Simon Jones and co-supervised by Dr Graham Wallace and Dr Kostas Tsintzas.
Her research interests include the functions of skeletal muscle myogenesis in adult human muscle and the effects of adiposity and inflammation in the ageing musculoskeletal system.
Prior to completing her PhD, Mary completed a Medical Degree (MB BCh BAO) at University College Cork and Master's Degrees at the Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham.
Qualifications
2011 - MB, BCh, BAO, University College Cork.
2013 - MSc Integrated Physiology, University of Nottingham.
2014 - MRes Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham.
2018 - PhD, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham.
- 'The role of adipose and skeletal muscle derived cytokines in human myogenesis: implications for ageing skeletal muscle.'
Publications
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
Hodson N, Dent JR, O'Leary MF, Song Z, Nicholson T, Jones SW, Murray JT, Jeromson S, Hamilton DL, Breen L, et al (2020). Protein‐carbohydrate ingestion alters Vps34 cellular localization independent of changes in kinase activity in human skeletal muscle.
Experimental Physiology Full text.
Sabou V, Wangdi J, O’Leary MF, Kelly VG, Bowtell JL (2020). Use, Practices and Attitudes of Sports Nutrition and Strength and Conditioning Practitioners towards Tart Cherry Supplementation.
Sports,
9(1), 2-2.
Abstract:
Use, Practices and Attitudes of Sports Nutrition and Strength and Conditioning Practitioners towards Tart Cherry Supplementation
Tart cherry (TC) supplementation has been shown to accelerate post-exercise recovery, enhance endurance performance and improve sleep duration and quality. This study aimed to identify the use, practices and attitudes of sports nutrition and strength and conditioning practitioners towards tart cherry supplementation. Thirty-five practitioners anonymously completed an online survey investigating their use, practices and attitudes towards tart cherry supplements. Forty-six percent of the responders were currently recommending TC supplements, 11% had previously recommended TC supplements and 26% have not previously recommended TC supplements but were planning on doing so in the future. of those recommending TC, 50% recommended or were planning on recommending TC supplements to enhance exercise recovery and 26% to improve sleep duration and quality. Acute supplementation and daily use during multi-day competition or demanding training blocks with a 2–3-day pre-load were the most reported supplementation recommendations (28% and 18%, respectively). Fifty-two percent of responders indicated uncertainty about the daily polyphenol dose to recommend as part of a TC supplementation protocol. Despite the high use and interest from sports nutrition and strength and conditioning practitioners in TC supplements, their practices did not align with the protocols found to be effective within the literature.
Abstract.
Full text.
O'Leary M, Barreto M, Bowtell J (2019). Evaluating the effect of a home-delivered meal service on the physical and psychological wellbeing of a UK population of older adults—A pilot and feasibility study.
Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics Full text.
Murphy D, Nicholson T, Jones S, O'Leary M (2019). MyoCount: a software tool for the automated quantification of myotube surface area and nuclear fusion index.
Wellcome Open Research Full text.
Lear R, O'Leary M, O'Brien Andersen L, Holt CC, Stensvold CR, van der Giezen M, Bowtell JL (2019). Tart Cherry Concentrate Does Not Alter the Gut Microbiome, Glycaemic Control or Systemic Inflammation in a Middle-Aged Population.
Nutrients,
11(5).
Abstract:
Tart Cherry Concentrate Does Not Alter the Gut Microbiome, Glycaemic Control or Systemic Inflammation in a Middle-Aged Population.
Limited evidence suggests that the consumption of polyphenols may improve glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity. The gut microbiome produces phenolic metabolites and increases their bioavailability. A handful of studies have suggested that polyphenol consumption alters gut microbiome composition. There are no data available investigating such effects in polyphenol-rich Montmorency cherry (MC) supplementation. A total of 28 participants (aged 40-60 years) were randomized to receive daily MC or glucose and energy-matched placebo supplementation for 4 wk. Faecal and blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 4 wk. There was no clear effect of supplementation on glucose handling (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and Gutt indices), although the Matsuda index decreased significantly in the MC group post-supplementation, reflecting an increase in serum insulin concentration. Contrastingly, placebo, but not MC supplementation induced a 6% increase in the Oral Glucose Insulin Sensitivity (OGIS) estimate of glucose clearance. Serum IL-6 and C reactive protein were unaltered by either supplement. The faecal bacterial microbiome was sequenced; species richness and diversity were unchanged by MC or placebo and no significant correlation existed between changes in Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium abundance and any index of insulin sensitivity. Therefore, 4 weeks of MC supplementation did not alter the gut microbiome, glycaemic control or systemic concentrations of IL-6 and CRP in a middle-aged population.
Abstract.
Author URL.
Full text.
O'Leary MF, Wallace GR, Davis ET, Murphy DP, Nicholson T, Bennett AJ, Tsintzas K, Jones SW (2018). Obese subcutaneous adipose tissue impairs human myogenesis, particularly in old skeletal muscle, via resistin-mediated activation of NFκB.
Scientific Reports Full text.
O’Leary MF, Wallace GR, Bennett AJ, Tsintzas K, Jones SW (2017). IL-15 promotes human myogenesis and mitigates the detrimental effects of TNFα on myotube development.
Scientific Reports,
7(1).
Full text.
Song Z, Moore DR, Hodson N, Ward C, Dent JR, O’Leary MF, Shaw AM, Hamilton DL, Sarkar S, Gangloff Y-G, et al (2017). Resistance exercise initiates mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) translocation and protein complex co-localisation in human skeletal muscle.
Scientific Reports,
7(1).
Full text.
Hardy RS, Doig CL, Hussain Z, O'Leary M, Morgan SA, Pearson MJ, Naylor A, Jones SW, Filer A, Stewart PM, et al (2016). 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 within muscle protects against the adverse effects of local inflammation.
The Journal of Pathology,
240(4), 472-483.
Full text.
Kavanagh D, Boulton A, O'leary M, Suresh S, Newsome PN, Kalia N (2014). P351Pretreatment of mesenchymal stem cells does not enhance their recruitment to injured tissue in a model of ischemia-reperfusion injury yet abolishes their anti-inflammatory capabilities. Cardiovascular Research, 103(suppl 1), S64.2-S64.
Conferences
Philp A, Pearson M, O'Leary M, Jones S (2018). ASSOCIATION OF CHEMERIN LEVELS IN SERUM AND SYNOVIAL FLUID WITH THE SEVERITY OF HIP OSTEOARTHRITIS.
Author URL.
Publications by year
2020
Hodson N, Dent JR, O'Leary MF, Song Z, Nicholson T, Jones SW, Murray JT, Jeromson S, Hamilton DL, Breen L, et al (2020). Protein‐carbohydrate ingestion alters Vps34 cellular localization independent of changes in kinase activity in human skeletal muscle.
Experimental Physiology Full text.
Sabou V, Wangdi J, O’Leary MF, Kelly VG, Bowtell JL (2020). Use, Practices and Attitudes of Sports Nutrition and Strength and Conditioning Practitioners towards Tart Cherry Supplementation.
Sports,
9(1), 2-2.
Abstract:
Use, Practices and Attitudes of Sports Nutrition and Strength and Conditioning Practitioners towards Tart Cherry Supplementation
Tart cherry (TC) supplementation has been shown to accelerate post-exercise recovery, enhance endurance performance and improve sleep duration and quality. This study aimed to identify the use, practices and attitudes of sports nutrition and strength and conditioning practitioners towards tart cherry supplementation. Thirty-five practitioners anonymously completed an online survey investigating their use, practices and attitudes towards tart cherry supplements. Forty-six percent of the responders were currently recommending TC supplements, 11% had previously recommended TC supplements and 26% have not previously recommended TC supplements but were planning on doing so in the future. of those recommending TC, 50% recommended or were planning on recommending TC supplements to enhance exercise recovery and 26% to improve sleep duration and quality. Acute supplementation and daily use during multi-day competition or demanding training blocks with a 2–3-day pre-load were the most reported supplementation recommendations (28% and 18%, respectively). Fifty-two percent of responders indicated uncertainty about the daily polyphenol dose to recommend as part of a TC supplementation protocol. Despite the high use and interest from sports nutrition and strength and conditioning practitioners in TC supplements, their practices did not align with the protocols found to be effective within the literature.
Abstract.
Full text.
2019
O'Leary M, Barreto M, Bowtell J (2019). Evaluating the effect of a home-delivered meal service on the physical and psychological wellbeing of a UK population of older adults—A pilot and feasibility study.
Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics Full text.
Murphy D, Nicholson T, Jones S, O'Leary M (2019). MyoCount: a software tool for the automated quantification of myotube surface area and nuclear fusion index.
Wellcome Open Research Full text.
Lear R, O'Leary M, O'Brien Andersen L, Holt CC, Stensvold CR, van der Giezen M, Bowtell JL (2019). Tart Cherry Concentrate Does Not Alter the Gut Microbiome, Glycaemic Control or Systemic Inflammation in a Middle-Aged Population.
Nutrients,
11(5).
Abstract:
Tart Cherry Concentrate Does Not Alter the Gut Microbiome, Glycaemic Control or Systemic Inflammation in a Middle-Aged Population.
Limited evidence suggests that the consumption of polyphenols may improve glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity. The gut microbiome produces phenolic metabolites and increases their bioavailability. A handful of studies have suggested that polyphenol consumption alters gut microbiome composition. There are no data available investigating such effects in polyphenol-rich Montmorency cherry (MC) supplementation. A total of 28 participants (aged 40-60 years) were randomized to receive daily MC or glucose and energy-matched placebo supplementation for 4 wk. Faecal and blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 4 wk. There was no clear effect of supplementation on glucose handling (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and Gutt indices), although the Matsuda index decreased significantly in the MC group post-supplementation, reflecting an increase in serum insulin concentration. Contrastingly, placebo, but not MC supplementation induced a 6% increase in the Oral Glucose Insulin Sensitivity (OGIS) estimate of glucose clearance. Serum IL-6 and C reactive protein were unaltered by either supplement. The faecal bacterial microbiome was sequenced; species richness and diversity were unchanged by MC or placebo and no significant correlation existed between changes in Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium abundance and any index of insulin sensitivity. Therefore, 4 weeks of MC supplementation did not alter the gut microbiome, glycaemic control or systemic concentrations of IL-6 and CRP in a middle-aged population.
Abstract.
Author URL.
Full text.
2018
Philp A, Pearson M, O'Leary M, Jones S (2018). ASSOCIATION OF CHEMERIN LEVELS IN SERUM AND SYNOVIAL FLUID WITH THE SEVERITY OF HIP OSTEOARTHRITIS.
Author URL.
O'Leary MF, Wallace GR, Davis ET, Murphy DP, Nicholson T, Bennett AJ, Tsintzas K, Jones SW (2018). Obese subcutaneous adipose tissue impairs human myogenesis, particularly in old skeletal muscle, via resistin-mediated activation of NFκB.
Scientific Reports Full text.
2017
O’Leary MF, Wallace GR, Bennett AJ, Tsintzas K, Jones SW (2017). IL-15 promotes human myogenesis and mitigates the detrimental effects of TNFα on myotube development.
Scientific Reports,
7(1).
Full text.
Song Z, Moore DR, Hodson N, Ward C, Dent JR, O’Leary MF, Shaw AM, Hamilton DL, Sarkar S, Gangloff Y-G, et al (2017). Resistance exercise initiates mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) translocation and protein complex co-localisation in human skeletal muscle.
Scientific Reports,
7(1).
Full text.
2016
Hardy RS, Doig CL, Hussain Z, O'Leary M, Morgan SA, Pearson MJ, Naylor A, Jones SW, Filer A, Stewart PM, et al (2016). 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 within muscle protects against the adverse effects of local inflammation.
The Journal of Pathology,
240(4), 472-483.
Full text.
2014
Kavanagh D, Boulton A, O'leary M, Suresh S, Newsome PN, Kalia N (2014). P351Pretreatment of mesenchymal stem cells does not enhance their recruitment to injured tissue in a model of ischemia-reperfusion injury yet abolishes their anti-inflammatory capabilities. Cardiovascular Research, 103(suppl 1), S64.2-S64.
Mary_OLeary Details from cache as at 2021-03-08 10:57:08
Refresh publications
Supervision / Group
Postgraduate researchers
- Vlad Razvan Sabou
- Jimmy Wangdi
