Her primary degree is in Education and she also hold a BA, and MA in Hispanic Studies and a PhD in Education. Her research interests include second language teaching and learning, assessment of student learning, teaching methodologies and the professional development of teachers. She has presented her work at international conferences, and published on international journals on second language teaching and learning from an educational perspective. In 2007 she was awarded a Fellowship in Teaching and Academic Development as part of a new initiative at University College Dublin to develop more innovative teaching and learning practices and to enhance student learning.