Cohort 5 ICAT Fellows (2021)
Dr Adam Dyer
Clinical specialty: Geriatric Medicine
Dr Adam Dyer graduated from Medicine in Trinity College Dublin in 2017. In addition to his medical degree, Adam holds Master’s degrees in Neuroscience (MSc.), Medical Gerontology (MSc. by Research), postgraduate qualifications in Statistics (Postgrad Cert) and MRCPI. As first year SpR in Geriatric Medicine, Adam aims to explore the impact of age and frailty on innate anti-viral immune responses, seeking to bridge the gap between recent advances in our understanding of innate immunity, age-related disease and multimorbidity in older adults.
Dr Leanne Cussen
Clinical specialty: Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus
Dr Leanne Cussen graduated from University College Cork in 2014, where she subsequently completed a post graduate diploma in gynaecology. She was appointed to the Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus Higher Specialist Training scheme in 2020. Leanne's clinical and research interests are primarily in the area of metabolic health challenges faced by women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). As an ICAT fellow Leanne will explore the complex role of androgens in mediating metabolic risk in PCOS.
Dr Daniel O'Reilly
Clinical specialty: General Paediatrics
Dr Daniel O’Reilly is a Specialist Registrar in General Paediatrics. He completed a BSc in Human Health and Disease from TCD (2013) before commencing Graduate Entry Medicine in RCSI (2017). Daniel has just completed an MSc in Child Health and Paediatrics from Imperial College London. His current research interests are evidence based practice in paediatrics, platelet biology and how these topics relate to the critically unwell infant and child. As an ICAT fellow Daniel hopes to investigate how platelet signalling can be harnessed to prospectively identify the septic neonate.
Dr Timothy O'Brien
Clinical specialty: Medical Oncology
Dr Timothy O’Brien graduated from University College Cork in pharmacy (2010) and medicine (2016), currently undertaking Higher Specialty Training in Medical Oncology. He is passionate about improving patient outcomes in gastrointestinal malignancies, in particular, early-onset colorectal cancer. As an ICAT fellow, Tim intends to explore the role of the human microbiome in colorectal carcinogenesis, screening and treatment.
Dr Rachel MacCann
Clinical specialty: Infectious Diseases
Dr Rachel MacCann graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in 2016 and completed her BST in The Mater Hospital. In 2019 Rachel completed a diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and was appointed to the Higher Specialist Training in Infectious Diseases in 2021. As an ICAT fellow, Rachel will explore the role of inflammation and aging in HIV, in particular with regards to the microbiome.
Dr Michael Gilligan
Clinical specialty: Neurology
Prior to studying medicine, Dr Michael Gilligan read English Literature and French in Trinity College Dublin. He graduated from medicine in University College Dublin in 2018 and commenced Higher Specialist Training in neurology in 2021. He is particularly interested in immune-mediated illnesses of the nervous system and, as an ICAT fellow, looks forward to undertaking research in the field of autoimmune encephalitis.
Dr Catriona Reddin
Clinical specialty: Geriatric Medicine
Dr Catriona Reddin is a Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine. Catriona graduated from NUI Galway in 2015 and subsequently completed a Masters in Clinical Research (NUIG) in 2020. Catriona will explore the epidemiological association of diet and falls using traditional and advanced analytic techniques.
Dr Mark Kelly
Clinical specialty: Neurology
Dr Mark Kelly graduated from Medicine in Trinity College Dublin in 2015 with an additional MSc in Neurosciences. He trained as a junior doctor and honorary research fellow at the University of Oxford where he conducted research in adverse medication effects in Parkinson’s Disease. He joined the Neurology Higher Specialist Training scheme in 2020. As an ICAT fellow, Mark will be researching autoimmune encephalitis and investigating potential clinical and biochemical markers of prognosis in this novel and complex condition.
Dr Oana Deac
Clinical specialty: Medical Oncology
Dr Oana Deac graduated from Medical School in Trinity College Dublin in 2018. Prior to that she undertook a Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Medicine in Trinity (2008-2012) and a Research Master Degree (MSc, 2012-2013). As a first year SPR in Oncology Oana is passionate about improving patient outcomes and her main area of interest in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy. As an ICAT fellow she hopes to better understand the immune processes involved in the tumour microenvironment with the aim to elucidate the best timing to introduce new therapies in gastrointestinal malignancy.
Cohort 4 ICAT Fellows (2020)
Dr Louise Rabbitt
Clinical specialty: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Dr Louise Rabbitt is a Specialist Registrar in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. She completed an international BA in Psychology and History from NUI Galway before completing a graduate-entry medical degree in RCSI and completed her MRCPI in 2014. Louise holds an MSc in Clinical Education. Current research interests include the interactions between human behaviour, medicines and the healthcare environment.
Dr Kiran Reddy
Clinical specialty: Anaesthesiology
Dr Kiran Reddy is a Specialist Anaesthesiology Trainee with a specific interest in respiratory disease in intensive care. In addition to attaining a medical degree from University College Cork in 2015, he holds a BSc in Biology from McMaster University in Canada, an MSc in Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety from NUI Galway, and the European Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine. His research focuses on precision medicine clinical trials in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Through ICAT, he aims to understand the mechanistic differences between novel subgroups of ARDS and identify their differential responses to therapy.
PhD research area: Critical care subphenotypes beyond syndromic definitions: a prospective observational study (PHIND-AHRF) [Clinical evaluation of a point-of-care assay to identify PHenotypes IN the acute respiratory Distress syndrome – Acute Hypoxaemic Respiratory Failure]
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Danny McAuley, QUB; Prof. Cecilia O'Kane, QUB; Prof. Carolyn Calfee, UCSF
Queen's University Belfast (QUB)
Dr Maria Tomkins
Clinical specialty: Endocrinology
Dr Maria Tomkins graduated from University College Dublin in 2015. As a postgraduate medical trainee Maria became involved in the Irish Pituitary Study and also undertook research projects concerning new-onset diabetes after renal transplant and the effect of glucocorticoid therapy in renal transplant recipients on adrenal function and metabolic health. Maria commenced Higher Specialist Training in Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus in 2020. As an ICAT Fellow, Maria hopes to further investigate and understand the relationship between cortisol metabolism in chronic kidney disease.
PhD research area: Corticosteroid metabolomics in chronic kidney disease CORT-CKD
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Mark Sherlock, RCSI; Prof. Conall O'Seaghdha, RCSI
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
Dr Sarah Kelliher
Clinical specialty: Haematology
Dr Sarah Kelliher graduated from University College Dublin in 2017. She completed early postgraduate clinical training at the Mater Hospital and was appointed to the Haematology Higher Specialist Training scheme in 2020. Sarah's clinical and research interests are primarily in the area of thrombosis and haemostasis. As an ICAT fellow Sarah will explore the role of blood particles, haemostatic factors and extracellular vesicles in health and disease.
PhD research area: MEchanisms of hypercoagulability in MyeloProlifeRative nEoplaSmS – The EMPRESS Study
PhD Supervisors: Dr Barry Kevane, UCD; Prof. Fionnuala Ní Áinle, UCD; Prof. Patricia Maguire, UCD; Prof. Mary Frances McMullin, QUB; Prof. Kathleen Bennett, RCSI
University College Dublin
Dr Andrea Bowe
Clinical specialty: Public Health Medicine
Dr Andrea Bowe is a graduate of UCD Medical School, where she also completed a Masters In Public Health. She is currently working as a Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine and is particularly interested in disease prevention. She hopes to use this opportunity to develop skills in advanced data analysis and epidemiological research, and looks forward to gaining experience in how research can be applied to address the many public health challenges we face.
PhD research area: mPRINT: Identifying and Predicting the Risk of Borderline Intellectual Function in Childhood
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Deirdre Murray, UCC; Prof. Anthony Staines, DCU; Dr Fergus McCarthy, UCC; Dr Gordon Lightbody, UCC
University College Cork (UCC)
Dr Bethany Wong
Clinical specialty: Cardiology
Dr Bethany Wong is currently a Cardiology Specialist Registrar. She graduated from Imperial College Medical School with an intercalculated BSc in Cardiovascular Sciences in 2012. She completed her core medical training in London before undertaking a Cardiology lecturer position in RCSI in 2018 where she completed a diploma in Health Professions Education. Her research interests aim to improve quality of life, physical activity and outcomes in Heart failure utilising technology and exercise.
PhD research area: The impact of Empagliflozin on Left atrIal Volume and the feasibility of using Fitbit and mHealth to prescribe Exercise in non-diabetic stage B Heart Failure (ELIVE-HF)
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Kenneth McDonald, UCD; Prof. Mark Ledwidge, UCD
University College Dublin (UCD)
Dr Ciara McNevin
Clinical specialty: Oncology
Dr Katie Ridge
Clinical specialty: Immunology
Dr Katie Ridge initially trained in Psychology in UCD, completing a Masters in University College London. Her previous research experience includes the design and implementation of behavioural interventions to improve glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes and reduce cardiovascular risk. Katie received her medical degree from UCD in 2015 and commenced Higher Specialist Training in Immunology in 2020. Her research interests include the mechanisms of sexual dimorphism in allergic disease and chronic spontaneous urticaria.
PhD research area: SAVE-CSUA Sex As a biological VariablE - CSUA
PhD Supervisors: Dr Niall Conlon, TCD; Prof. Cliona O'Farrelly
Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
Cohort 3 ICAT Fellows (2019)
Dr Graeme Greenfield
Clinical specialty: Haematology
Dr Graeme Greenfield graduated from the University of Oxford in 2013 following completion of his medical degree and BA in medical sciences. During his BA he undertook a project investigating mechanisms of genome stability in fission yeast. Following completion of his initial stages of postgraduate training, he entered Haematology Specialist Training in 2017 as an Academic Clinical Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast. In this role, Graeme has been investigating how epigenetic changes in myeloproliferative neoplasms occur in response to therapy.
PhD research area: Therapeutic manipulation of epigenetic changes occurring in response to JAK2 inhibition in myeloproliferative neoplasms
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Ken Mills, QUB; Prof. Mary Frances McMullin, QUB; Dr Jaine Blayney, QUB
Queen's University Belfast (QUB)
Dr Stephanie Bollard
Clinical specialty: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Dr Stephanie Bollard is a Specialist Registrar in Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. She received her medical degree (2015) and Masters in Surgery (2017) from NUI Galway, before her appointment to the Higher Surgical Training Scheme. Through the ICAT Programme, Stephanie hopes to develop her interest in translational oncology, specifically in the field of melanoma.
PhD research area: Investigation Of The Paracrine Roles Of Extracellular Vesicle Derived Chemokines In Malignant Melanoma Progression (PREDiCt - MM)
PhD Supervisors: Dr Shirley Potter, UCD; Prof. Amanda McCann, UCD; Dr Pamela Kelly, UCD
University College Dublin (UCD)
Dr Cathal O'Connor
Clinical specialty: Dermatology
Dr Cathal O'Connor graduated from University College Cork in 2013. Having completed Basic Specialist Training in Paediatrics and Adult Medicine, he entered Higher Specialist Training in Dermatology. His research interests include atopic dermatitis, inflammatory dermatoses, and genocutaneous disease. Cathal looks forward to expanding his research interests in preventative dermatology and novel therapeutic strategies for atopic dermatitis.
PhD research area: Assessing SleeP IN infants with early-onset atopic Dermatitis by Longitudinal Evaluation (The SPINDLE study)
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Geraldine Boylan, UCC; Dr Michelle Murphy, UCC; Prof. Jonathan Hourihane, RCSI
University College Cork (UCC)
Dr Claire Potter
Clinical specialty: Psychiatry
Dr Claire Potter graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2013 and entered Psychiatry training in 2015 obtaining her MRCPsych in 2017. She is currently a Specialty Trainee in dual General Adult and Old Age Psychiatry in Northern Ireland. As an ICAT Fellow with an interest in neuroscience and neurodegenerative disorders, Claire will explore longitudinal cohorts of ageing in Ireland examining the biological and psychological basis of cognitive disorders.
PhD research area: The ELECA study - Early Life strEss and Cognitive Ageing: an investigation of international longitudinal cohorts of ageing
PhD Supervisors: Dr Bernadette McGuinness, QUB; Prof. Frank Kee, QUB; Dr Amy-Jayne McKnight, QUB
Queen's University Belfast (QUB)
Dr Conor Grant
Clinical specialty: Infectious Diseases
Dr Conor Grant graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2013. After obtaining a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in 2016 at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, he worked with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). In 2018, Conor commenced Higher Specialist Training in Infectious Diseases. His goals are to address the global health challenges caused by infectious diseases. Specifically, Conor’s research interests are in finding novel diagnostics and host-directed therapies for Tuberculosis by studying TB immunometabolism.
PhD research area: Exploiting Trained-Immunity and Immunometabolism in Tuberculosis (EXTINCT)
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Colm Bergin, TCD; Dr Mary O’Sullivan, TCD; Prof. Joseph Keane, TCD; Dr Frederick J Sheedy, TCD; Prof. Sam McConkey, RCSI
Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
Dr Dearbhla Doherty
Clinical specialty: Haematology
Dr Dearbhla Doherty graduated from University College Dublin in 2014 and commenced Higher Specialist Training in Haematology in 2019. Her area of research interest is in haemostasis and vascular biology. As an ICAT Fellow, Dearbhla hopes to further investigate the molecular and genetic basis of Low Von Willebrand Factor levels.
PhD research area: Defining the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying Low VWF in the Low VWF in Ireland Cohort (LoVIC) study
PhD Supervisors: Prof. James O’Donnell, RCSI; Dr Michelle Lavin, RCSI
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
Cohort 2 ICAT Fellows (2018)
Dr Helen Fogarty
Clinical specialty: Haematology
Dr Helen Fogarty received her medical degree (2013) and MSc in Molecular Medicine (2016) from Trinity College Dublin. Her MSc project into NOTCH1 mutation status in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia gave her an insight into laboratory research methodology and reinforced her ambition to become an academic clinician. Helen is a first year Haematology SpR in St James’s Hospital and is currently exploring her research interests in coagulation and vascular biology, including investigation of novel roles for von Willebrand factor in cancer-associated thrombosis and sickle cell disease.
PhD research area: Investigation of the role of the VWF-ADAMTS13 axis in the pathogenesis of sickle cell vasculopathy in children
PhD Supervisors: Prof. James O'Donnell, RCSI; Dr Corrina McMahon, Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin; Dr Michelle Lavin, RCSI
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
Dr Brendan Kelly
Clinical specialty: Radiology
After studying Radiography Dr Brendan Kelly entered Graduate Entry Medicine, graduating in 2015. He was appointed as a Specialist Registrar in Radiology in St Vincent’s Hospital in July 2017 and received an MSc in Radiology from NUI Galway in 2017. His research interests are in the fields of molecular imaging, especially in its application to personalised medicine and cognitive imaging / dementia, and in potential applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence to radiology.
PhD research area: Clinical ApplicatioN of DEep Learning and Intelligent Vision in Radiology:CAN DELIVeR
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Ronan Killeen, UCD; Prof. Aonghus Lawlor, UCD
University College Dublin (UCD)
Dr Anita Lavery
Clinical specialty: Medical Oncology
Dr Anita Lavery is currently completing higher specialist training in Medical Oncology. She graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2011 and undertook early clinical training in London, including a one-year medical oncology fellowship at Guy’s Hospital. She returned to Belfast for specialty training in Medical Oncology in 2016. Her clinical and research interests are in upper GI and urological cancers, including cancer genomics and developing new targeted treatment strategies. She is looking forward to developing these interests further through the ICAT programme.
PhD research area: Understanding the DNA Damage Driven Immune Response in Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma (OAC): Opportunities for Improved Stratification and Treatment
PhD Supervisors: Dr Richard Turkington, QUB; Dr Jaine Blayney, QUB; Dr Kienan Savage, QUB
Queen's University Belfast (QUB)
Dr William Martin
Clinical specialty: Nephrology
Dr William Martin graduated from NUI Galway in 2014 and completed an MSc in Preventive Cardiology at NUI Galway in 2015. His postgraduate medical training was conducted at University Hospital Galway and Mayo Clinic, before joining the Higher Specialist Training programme in Nephrology in 2018. He has contributed to studies examining renal functional trends in patients with diabetes, mesenchymal stem cell therapy for diabetic kidney disease, and immunological aspects of chronic kidney disease progression.
PhD research area: The Impact of Intensive Lifestyle, Medical and Surgical Control of Diabetes on Human and Experimental Rodent Diabetic Kidney Disease (LIMIT-DKD Study Group)
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Carel le Roux, UCD; Dr Neil Docherty, UCD
University College Dublin (UCD)
Dr Mark Gurney
Clinical specialty: Haematology
Dr Mark Gurney graduated from NUI Galway in 2013. He completed basic specialist training in general internal medicine, and further developed a clinical and research focus on malignant haematology while a visiting medical resident at Mayo Clinic in 2016. Mark commenced Haematology higher specialist training in 2017 at University Hospital Galway. As an ICAT fellow Mark will explore his primary interest in the field of natural killer cell biology, and the application of natural killer cells as a cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
PhD research area: The Development and Optimization of Anti-CLEC12A Targeted Umbilical Cord Blood Derived CAR-NK Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Michael O'Dwyer, NUIG; Prof. Clair Gardiner, TCD
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)
Dr Karen McCarthy
Clinical specialty: General Paediatrics
Dr Karen McCarthy graduated from University College Cork in 2013 and is a specialist registrar in General Paediatrics. Through her clinical training she has developed a sub-speciality interest in Infectious Disease and is completing a Master’s in Paediatric Infectious Disease at the University of Oxford. Having had an interest in research from undergraduate level she has developed broad-ranging research interests, particularly in the areas of antimicrobial resistance and stewardship.
PhD research area: Respiratory immune responses and their interaction in control of nasal colonization with Bordetella pertussis and Staphylococcus aureus in humans. Local immune responses to respiratory infection in the nasal tract
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Rachel McLoughlin, TCD; Prof. Kingston Mills, TCD
Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
Dr Jennifer Scott
Clinical specialty: Nephrology
Dr Jennifer Scott is a graduate of NUI Galway (2013). She is a specialist registrar in Nephrology and has completed postgraduate clinical training in Galway University Hospital, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Australia and the Mayo Clinic, USA. Through the ICAT programme, Jennifer is looking forward to delving into big-data and advanced data analytics, to explore the pathophysiology, detection and treatment of autoimmune disease, with ANCA Associated Vasculitis as the exemplar disease.
PhD research area: VAPRE: Exploring the Relapse Prodrome of ANCA associated Vasculitis
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Mark Little, TCD; Prof. Cathal Walsh, University of Limerick; Prof. John Kelleher, Technological University Dublin; Dr Arthur White, TCD
Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
Dr Gerard Walls
Clinical specialty: Clinical Oncology
Qualifying in Undergraduate Medicine in Belfast (2012), Dr Gerard Walls obtained MRCP (2015) whilst completing general medical training in London, including Royal Marsden rotations. He secured Specialty Training in Clinical Oncology in Northern Ireland (2016) and took up an Academic Clinical Fellowship at QUB in 2017. He is in the final stages of an MSc in Clinical Education and is preparing for Final FRCR examinations. Before joining ICAT, Gerard published and presented research on a range of topics including advanced radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Through the ICAT Fellowship Gerard aspires to transform care for patients with lung cancer using impactful translational research.
PhD research area: Radiotherapy-Related Adverse Cardiac Events In Lung Cancer (RACING)
PhD Supervisors: Dr Karl Butterworth, QUB; Dr Suneil Jain, QUB; Dr Aidan Cole, QUB
Queen's University Belfast (QUB)
Cohort 1 ICAT Fellows (2017)
Dr Peter Barrett
Clinical Specialty: Public Health Medicine
Peter graduated from University College Cork with First Class Honours. He has undertaken Masters degrees in Global Health from Karolinska Institutet, and in Public Health from the University of Cambridge. He has worked clinically and in Public Health Medicine in the UK and Ireland, and is currently a third year Specialist Registrar in Public Health Medicine. Through the ICAT programme, Peter hopes to develop his interest in large-scale epidemiological research, and to gain practical experience in implementing research findings into evidence-based policy.
PhD research area: Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and the Risk of Kidney Disease in Women: A Nationwide Cohort Study
PhD Supervisors: Dr Ali Khashan, UCC; Dr Fergus McCarthy, Cork University Maternity Hospital; Prof. Ivan Perry, UCC
University College Cork (UCC)
Dr Delia Bogdanet
Clinical Specialty: Endocrinology
Dr Delia Bogdanet is an SpR in Diabetes and Endocrinology. She is a graduate of ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania. She has a Masters in Diabetes and Endocrinology from Queen Mary University of London. Delia is an emerging clinician scientist. Her main research is in the field of gestational diabetes where she has presented nationally and internationally and published in a wide range of journals. She also has a keen interest in rare diseases epidemiology research and part of her work has focused on this topic.
PhD research area: Plasma glycated CD59 (gCD59), a Novel Biomarker for the Diagnosis, Management and Follow up of Women with Gestational Diabetes (GDM)
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Fidelma Dunne, NUIG; Dr Paula O'Shea, Galway University Hospital; Prof. Jose Halperin, Harvard Medical School
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)
Dr Conor Judge
Clinical specialty: Nephrology
Conor is currently completing his Higher Specialist Training in Nephrology. Prior to medicine, he completed an honours degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering. Being on the boundary between academic disciplines he has sought unmet clinical needs that can be translated into software engineering solutions. His current interest is novel software solutions for large-scale clinical research.
PhD research area: SMART Trials - Investigation of technology-enabled adaptive clinical trial methodologies for more efficient and effective clinical research
PhD Supervisors: Prof. Martin O'Donnell, NUIG; Dr Martin O'Halloran, NUIG
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)
Dr Sarah Cormican
Clinical specialty: Nephrology
Sarah graduated from NUI Galway in 2014. As an undergraduate she participated in research related to complications of diabetes and the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Sarah completed three years of postgraduate clinical training in Galway University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital. As a postgraduate medical trainee Sarah became involved in research concerning accelerated atherosclerosis in chronic kidney disease, recurrent glomerular disease after renal transplantation and the prevalence of genetic kidney diseases in Ireland.