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The Analytical Zen Podcast
Unveiling the Science Behind the Mystery: Exploring Forensics, Toxicology, Medicine and Health (Mind, Body and Spirit)
Dr. Geraldine M. Dowling SFHEA is an accomplished professional with over 20 years experience in forensic and analytical toxicology, drug residue testing, method validation, ISO17025 laboratory accreditation and more than 10 years experience in academia as an educator. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), a prestigious recognition awarded for excellence in teaching and leadership within higher education. This title reflects extensive experience and significant contributions to improving educational practices, mentoring professionals and colleagues and enhancing the overall quality of teaching and learning in academic settings and industry.
Dr. Dowling is currently elected Vice Chair (past Treasurer) of the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists Council (body represents forensic toxicology professionals in England, Ireland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Channel Islands) and the host and creator of The Analytical Zen Podcast. She is the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists regional representative for Ireland (contact point for Irish laboratories) and a member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists in America. She is an elected member of the London Toxicology Group Committee. She has extensive experience in working/training professional staff and students in ISO17025 accredited national government laboratories in Ireland, including The State Laboratory, Teagasc, The National Dairy Science Laboratory, The Irish Equine Centre and The Marine Institute. She is a Principal Investigator supervising postgraduate students (MSc and PhD). Her research interests focus on analytical chemistry, forensic science, drug residues monitoring, forensic toxicology, metabolomics and medicine, wildlife forensics, laboratory accreditation, flavoromics, food safety and education pedagogies.
Dr. Dowling is a contributing author, reviewer and editor across selected international journals such as Drug Testing and Analysis, Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Forensic Science Review, Journal of Forensic Research, The Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal, Frontiers in Molecular Physiology, Journal of Chromatography B, Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, Journal of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Frontiers in Nutrition, Chromatographia, Journal of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Analytica Chimica Acta, Food Additives and Contaminants, Practice of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship and Neuropsychopharmacology.
Research: See Orcid.org/0000-0001-8344-6582 (presenting 90+ academic works)
The Analytical Zen Podcast
The Zinc Connection: The Pancreas, Diabetes and Beyond
In this episode, we explore the connection between zinc and diabetes, focusing on functions of zinc in the pancreas and for blood glucose control. Using animal models of obesity and prediabetes, researchers investigated how mild zinc deficiency—similar to levels potentially seen in humans—affects the pancreas and regulation of blood glucose. The study found that a 30% reduction in pancreatic zinc led to enlarged pancreatic islets and poorer blood glucose control, especially during glucose tolerance tests. These findings highlight the significant impact even marginal zinc deficiency can have on the development and progression of type 2 diabetes. However, zinc supplements are not warranted unless someone is deficient in zinc.