Melanie graduated with her BA from University College Dublin in 1995 and worked on archaeological excavations like the Lisheen Archaeological Project, Co. Tipperary (1996-1997) for Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd. In 1996 she went back to college and gained her MA from University College Cork in 1998. After completing her studies she spent a year as a consultant archaeologist in Australia.

Melanie joined Margaret Gowen & Co. again as a site supervisor in 2000 and worked on a number of large sites including Grangecastle, Co. Dublin and Smithfield, Dublin 7. She became licence eligible in December 2002.

Melanie has directed road, infrastructural and urban development projects since obtaining her licence. Results from one of her recent archaeological resolution projects, the N8 Cashel- Mitchelstown Road Improvement Scheme are due for publication in 2009

Publications List: Melanie McQuade MA, MIAI