The INFANT Research Centre at UCC welcomed over 100 guests to its annual INFANT Study Day, which was held in the Aula Maxima on UCC’s campus – now home to portraits of 11 trailblazing women from, or with links to, the Munster region. The Study Day welcomed members of the INFANT multidisciplinary team from across a wide range of disciplines, including Neonatology, Public Health, Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nutrition, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Physiology, AI, Pharmacology, Psychology and Health Information Systems (&more). We also welcomed colleagues from across UCC central services, and INFANT’s Strategic Advisory Board who support all the work we do, as well as those interested in learning more about INFANT’s research.

It was a full-day event, showcasing ongoing research at all stages, highlighting what lies ahead, and providing insight into the vision for UCC Futures Children. The day also showcased our students who presented posters on the day.

Professor Geraldine Boylan, Director of the INFANT Research Centre and UCC Futures Children, opened the Study Day with a welcome address and a recap of the highlights for 2025. She spoke about the Centre’s progress over the past 12 months in terms of funding, team expansion, support from central services, ongoing research studies, international conferences, spin-out updates, publications, awards, and what is coming up on the horizon. She also noted that INFANT is featured in UCC’s 180 Years exhibition in the Boole Library. We are proud to be part of UCC’s history, which has been a driving force in research and innovation, transforming lives through bold thinking and real-world solutions.

This was followed by a presentation from INFANT’s Communications and Public Engagement Manager, Michelle Dorgan, on Engaged Research Programme at INFANT including Communications, Education and Public Engagement (EPE) and Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) activities. She emphasised the importance of incorporating meaningful engagement from study design through to dissemination, ensuring research remains relevant, inclusive and informed by those it supports. She also showcased the media highlights and reflected on a busy year of public engagement, including science fairs, school visits, and the updates of the work that colleagues in In4Kids/CHI do with the Young Person Advisory Group.

We had some fantastic speakers lined up throughout the day, in the morning session, which chaired by Prof Boylan included:

The Future of Paediatrics in Cork

Professor Colin Hawkes, INFANT PI, Clinical Director, Department of Paediatrics, Cork University Hospital, and Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, UCC, delivered “The Future of Paediatrics in Cork.” His talk provided insights into the evolving landscape of paediatric services in the region, including planned developments such as the new Children’s Hospital in Cork and what these changes mean for care delivery in the coming years.

From Evidence to Action: Making Research Matter

Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, INFANT PI, Lead of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG), Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, UCC, and Consultant Obstetrician, CUMH, showcased the pioneering work of the PLRG, which is continually dedicated to translating research into practice. She highlighted how involving key stakeholders throughout the research process has helped inform national policy, toolkits and clinical guidelines, improving outcomes and influencing change at a national level.

Translating Research into Clinical Trials

We were delighted to welcome former Fulbright Scholar Professor A. Reghan Foley back to UCC. She presented “Translating Promising Therapeutic Approaches to Clinical Trials in the Congenital Muscular Dystrophies and the Role of Disease-Specific Biomarker Signatures.” Professor Foley is an Adjunct Professor at the UCC School of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health, and Senior Research Physician in the Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section at the National Institutes of Health.

There were multiple opportunities throughout the day to view student posters and learn about their ongoing research.

The mid-morning session was chaired by INFANT PI Prof Mairead Kiely and included:

Predicting Infant Neurodevelopmental Vulnerability; A Precision Perinatal and Multi-Omics Framework

Dr Jane A. English, INFANT PI, Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator, Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, UCC, discussed her recent research findings, which address the potential for blood-based biomarkers to identify children with autism much earlier in life, opening possibilities for earlier detection and support for children and families. She also spoke about the ongoing review of larger international datasets to demonstrate how precision perinatal approaches can support early identification of neurodevelopmental vulnerability.

The ELEVATE Programme: step by step to improve outcome in Cerebral Palsy

Professor Deirdre Murray, INFANT PI, Professor of Paediatrics and Chair of Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, UCC, provided an in-depth overview of the ELEVATE Programme. She outlined progress to date, ongoing studies, the key impact of PPI involvement and future plans which are aimed at improving outcomes for children with CP, their families and caregivers.

From Computer to Cot Side: Lessons Learned

In “From Computer to Cot Side: Lessons Learned,” Professor Liam Marnane, INFANT PI and Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, UCC, reflected on the evolution of engineering over the last two decades. He shared key lessons from his career, noting that one of the key metrics he values most is the students he has worked with along the way, the contributions they made during their time at UCC, and the impact they are now making in senior roles across the globe.

INFANT Director Professor Boylan took a moment to recognise Professor Marnane’s contribution to INFANT and UCC and how he has transformed the Centre’s ability to utilise technology, AI and machine learning to support decision making and data driven research. In recognition of this, Professor Marnane was presented with an award, “In Recognition of Your Outstanding Contribution to Maternal and Child Health Research in UCC,” by UCC’s Vice President for Research & Innovation, Professor John Cryan.

Securing the Future of Children Through Research Excellence

The afternoon session, chaired by INFANT PI Professor Eugene Dempsey, welcomed a guest speaker, Professor John Cryan, Vice President for Research & Innovation at University College Cork. He delivered “UCC Futures – Securing the Future of Children Through Research Excellence,” outlining the strategic direction of UCC Futures, particularly UCC Futures Children, and the important role the INFANT Research Centre plays in laying the foundation for this prioritised research area.

Translational Innovation Case Study

The Study Day concluded with a very insightful talk from Dr Ann-Marie Brennan, Clinical Specialist Neonatal Dietitian, CUMH, and Co-Investigator at the INFANT Research Centre. She presented “From Concept to Cotside: PremSmart as a Translational Innovation Case Study,” highlighting the success of PremSmart, the National Model of Care for Preterm Standardised Parenteral Nutrition, which is now implemented in 95% of services nationwide, and discussed opportunities to further scale this innovation.

The INFANT Study Day is an important opportunity to bring the team together to learn from one another, showcase ongoing research, and strengthen collaboration across disciplines. It provides a valuable space to offer support, create networking opportunities and importantly, to recognise and thank all of the team whose collective expertise and commitment continue to drive innovation in maternal and child health research at UCC.