Sharon qualified as a pharmacist in 1999, working in Dublin initially and then taking on the role of Pharmacist Store Manager. She joined the School of Pharmacy in late 2001 initially as a part-time Teaching Fellow whilst also working as a community pharmacist for Boots. She was promoted to Senior Lecturer (Education) in 2012 and Reader (Education) in 2020. She was Director of Education (Pharmacy) from 2014 to 2021.

Her PhD completed in 2011, evaluated the introduction of mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) for pharmacists in Northern Ireland. A version of the CPD portfolio that was created during the research is still in use today by pharmacists across NI. CPD and reflective practice are elements of undergraduate education which she has continued to develop to enhance the student experience. 

Sharon teaches in the areas of pharmacy law, ethics, leadership skills and dermatology. Her scholarship has focused on interprofessonal education, simulation, experiential learning and sustainability. 

Sharon is currently a Faculty InterSim Champion within the new KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim. She is involved in debriefing training and has co-authored immersive scenarios with practice and patient partners. 

Innovation in teaching and assessment in the MPharm has been key to delivering an contemporary and world leading MPharm degree. Sharon pioneered the development of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) in the MPharm along with Professor Roisin O’Hare and published a book in competency-based assessment in 2018. The text is used as a reference text by pharmacy schools across the UK and Ireland with worldwide sales of copies since its first publication in 2018 with a second edition due in 2023.