Supervisor View Full Details

• genetics, genomics and molecular biology
• cell and developmental biology/regenerative medicine
• physiology and non-communicable disease
• cancer/oncology
• Other - please suggest keyword(s):

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Paediatrics
• Sports and Exercise Medicine

• Adolescent medicine
• Cardiology
• Clinical Trials
• Endocrinology
• Nephrology
• Pharmacology
• Physiology
• Radiology
• Vascular Medicine

Our research group is located in the Lambe Institute for Translational Research at NUI, Galway. Within this group, we focus on functioning endocrine tumours, particularly those of the adrenal gland. We have ongoing projects which address the pathogenesis and treatment of the following conditions:

1. Primary aldosteronism / aldosterone producing adenomas
2. Endocrine mechanisms of hypertension
3. Adrenocortical carcinoma
4. Cushing's syndrome
5. Phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma.

Specifically, we investigate novel methodologies for detection and ablation of adrenal tumours, the identification of novel biomarkers of functioning endocrine tumours and new methodologies and systems for growing adrenocortical cells using specifically designed biomaterials.

As a group, we are integrated with the CURAM Centre for Medical Devices and are co-investigators with the Translational Medical Device Laboratory, co-located at the Lambe Institute at NUI, Galway. We are members of the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENS@T) and partake in collaborative studies within this group e.g. EURINE-ACT. We also have strong collaborations with the University of Cambridge / Addenbrooke's Hospital, with whom we collaborate in relation to novel functional endocrine imaging.

Ablation of Adrenocortical Tumours in the Age of Secondary Hypertension

Primary aldosteronism (Conn's Syndrome) accounts for 15 - 20% of all hypertension and represents the greatest secondary cause of hypertension. This study will investigate novel mechanisms of detection and ablation of aldosterone producing adenomas using state-of-the-art medical device technology. PhDs undertaking this project will upskill in histopathology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and molecular/cellular biology. Additionally, the opportunity presents itself for broadening of skill-set to a cross-disciplinary understanding of translational medicine and medical device development.

This project is undertaken in collaboration with bioengineers through the Bioinnovate Programme at NUI, Galway and engineering co-investigators in CURAM and the Translational Medical Device Laboratory. This study is expected to reach the patient in a short period of time and offers the potential of developing a paradigm-shifting management opportunity for primary aldosteronism.

This project is well suited to those interested in endocrinology, interventional specialties, cardiology, radiology, endocrine surgery, nephrology and pharmacology/therapeutics. It offers an exciting opportunity to see first hand the development of a multifunctional medical device, which offers the potential to translate to the patient within the time-frame of the PhD project.