Professor Eugene Dempsey appointed Head of School
Professor Eugene Dempsey, Principal Investigator at INFANT Research Centre and Consultant Neonatologist at Cork University Maternity Hospital, has been appointed Head of the School of Medicine at University College Cork.
Gene has been part of INFANT since its earliest years, combining clinical care with research focused on improving outcomes for newborn babies and their families.
His new appointment will see him take on a significant leadership role within UCC, while continuing his research at INFANT.
We spoke to Gene about his new role, his priorities for the School of Medicine, and why strengthening connections between clinical care, research and the University will be central to the years ahead.
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What does taking on the role of Head of the School of Medicine mean to you?
It’s a great opportunity to build on the strengths we already have across the School of Medicine. I see our foundational science and clinical colleagues as partners in a school striving to deliver top class education, discovery and patient care. There are incredibly talented people working in these areas, and I want to make it easier for them to contribute to the school and feel that they are genuinely part of a connected School.
What are some of your priorities for the School?
One of my priorities is breaking down some of the barriers that can make it difficult to become involved in research and academic activity within the School.
We have a huge body of clinical expertise across our teaching hospitals. I want us to create an environment where people feel supported to contribute, collaborate and develop their own research interests. If we can make that journey easier, we can strengthen both the School and the research culture within it.
Central to this is to strengthen the relationship between our foundational science partners and our clinicians. We have numerous examples of this across the University. Delivering high-quality healthcare requires strong multidisciplinary involvement and this will be a key priority for me in this role.
How important will international collaboration be?
International collaboration is key. Ireland is a relatively small country, and there are important research questions that we simply cannot answer alone.
Continuing to build strong international research networks will be a major part of the years ahead. These collaborations allow us to undertake research at a greater scale, share learnings from colleagues internationally and strengthen UCC’s contribution to research globally.
Will your new role change your involvement with INFANT?
No. I’m not stepping away from research or from INFANT.
I will continue as a Principal Investigator at INFANT and remain heavily involved in our neonatal research programme. For me, the two roles are very much connected. The experience of combining clinical care, multidisciplinary research and collaboration over many years is something I hope to bring to the wider School of Medicine.
After more than 20 years working in neonatal care in Cork, what continues to motivate your research?
Ultimately, it comes back to improving care for patients, in my area that means for newborns and their families.
Clinical care and research inform one another. The questions we encounter in the hospital can shape the research we undertake, and the evidence generated through research can, in turn, change clinical practice. Continuing to bring those two worlds closer together remains hugely important to me.