Preparing for the next pandemic: Lessons from COVID-19, pregnancy and the power of better data

By |2026-09-17T11:05:26+01:00July 2nd, 2026|

Preparing for the next pandemic: Lessons from COVID-19, pregnancy and the power of better data

While COVID-19 may no longer dominate headlines, the lessons learned during the pandemic continue to shape how healthcare systems prepare for future public health emergencies. This is particularly true when it comes to protecting pregnant women and their babies.

 

When COVID-19 emerged, pregnant women faced uncertainty at every turn. Questions about infection risks, vaccine safety, and the potential impact on unborn babies created anxiety for expectant mothers and challenges for healthcare professionals trying to provide evidence-based guidance in real time.

In the early stages of the pandemic, reliable evidence on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was limited internationally. In Ireland, only 58% of new and expectant mothers had received a COVID-19 vaccine, while studies from the United Kingdom suggested that unvaccinated pregnant women infected with COVID-19 were more likely to require intensive care treatment.

“Monitoring COVID-19 infection and vaccination during pregnancy is important because we know that during pregnancy a woman can be at greater risk of becoming severely ill from the virus,” explains Professor Ali Khashan, Principal Investigator at INFANT, and Professor in Epidemiology in the School of Public Health, UCC.

“When a vaccine becomes available, there is another question – should pregnant women take the vaccine or not?”

To help answer these questions, researchers from INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork (UCC), in partnership with Ulster University, launched the COVICAT project to better understand COVID-19 infection and vaccination during pregnancy across the island of Ireland.

While the project set out to answer questions about COVID-19 in pregnancy and risk of congenital anomalies, it also uncovered a broader challenge. Researchers found that important health information was often difficult to access and connect across systems, limiting the ability to rapidly generate evidence for pregnant women, clinicians and policymakers during a public health crisis.

One reason these findings matter is that pregnant women are generally excluded from clinical trials of new medicines and vaccines.

Dr Mary O’Mahony, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and collaborator on the project, explains:

“Projects such as COVICAT highlight the importance of robust data systems that allow us to monitor the safety and effectiveness of public health interventions during pregnancy and provide reassurance for women and the healthcare professionals caring for them.”

Reflecting on the project’s wider implications, Dr O’Mahony adds that “validated routine surveillance data can inform pandemic response to improve outcomes.”

Without access to high-quality population data, generating timely evidence during a public health emergency becomes significantly more difficult.

Researchers sought to better understand patterns of COVID-19 infection and vaccine uptake during pregnancy across the island of Ireland, and explore whether infection or vaccination was associated with congenital anomalies during foetal development.

By comparing systems north and south of the border, the researchers identified major differences in how maternal health data was collected, linked and used for research. In Northern Ireland, unique Health and Care identification numbers allowed maternity, infection, and vaccination records to be connected across healthcare databases, enabling population-level research.

In contrast, researchers encountered significant challenges accessing comparable data in the Republic of Ireland. Pregnancy status was not consistently recorded across vaccination and infection databases, while fragmented systems and limited data linkage made it difficult to answer urgent public health questions quickly during a rapidly evolving pandemic.

The lessons from COVICAT were subsequently translated into peer-reviewed publications and a policy brief, which outlined practical recommendations to improve data access, linkage and maternal health surveillance. These recommendations included accelerating the implementation of Individual Health Identifiers (IHIs), strengthening data linkage across healthcare systems and streamlining access to population health data for research and public health decision-making.

“In our experience of seeking to access data about pregnancy and COVID-19 infection and vaccination, once we were put in touch with the right individuals, they were very helpful,” says Professor Khashan. “But there are systemic issues that need to be addressed for the data to be useful for delivering better healthcare.”

Beyond identifying gaps in the system, the project demonstrated how better data can directly support patients and clinicians during future health emergencies.

“Better collection and use of data would help the healthcare system to prepare initially and then monitor the health of these populations during an emergency,” says Professor Khashan. “This would provide reliable evidence to inform timely public health interventions and support to help them.”

For pregnant women and healthcare professionals, this means faster access to the evidence needed to make informed decisions during future public health emergencies.

The project’s European analysis, using EUROCAT data, is expected to contribute valuable evidence around COVID-19 infection, vaccination uptake, and risk of congenital anomalies, helping clinicians provide informed advice and reassuring pregnant women who may have concerns about vaccination.

The work reinforced the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing shared healthcare challenges. The partnership brought together expertise in public health, epidemiology, maternal health, congenital anomaly surveillance and health data research from both sides of the border.

“The all-island approach was critical because infections know no borders,” says Dr Maria Loane, Leader of the Centre for Maternal, Fetal an Infant Research at Ulster University and Co-Principal Investigator of COVICAT. “Bringing together expertise and data from both jurisdictions allowed us to compare healthcare systems, identify important gaps and demonstrate why stronger maternal health data infrastructure will be essential for responding to future pandemics and public health emergencies.”

The collaboration demonstrated how research partnerships can help identify shared challenges, accelerate learning and generate evidence that improves healthcare policy and future pandemic preparedness.

Although the pandemic has passed, the lessons from COVICAT remain highly relevant. The project demonstrated that protecting pregnant women and babies during public health emergencies requires not only scientific expertise, but also accessible health data, strong research partnerships and collaboration across healthcare systems.

Through collaborative research and all-island partnership, COVICAT has helped strengthen understanding of how health systems can better support pregnant women, clinicians and policymakers during times of crisis, while helping to build more resilient healthcare systems for the future.

 

 

Further reading

COVICAT was recently featured in the Higher Education Authority’s North South Research Programme: Insights on Impact report, which showcases the impact of all-island research collaborations.

 

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From Evidence to Impact: Dr Chrsitine Cassidy Opens UCC Futures Children Seminar Series

By |2026-05-20T12:53:02+01:00May 20th, 2026|

The inaugural UCC Futures Children seminar of the year brought together researchers, clinicians, academic and professional staff, and others interested in improving outcomes for children and families.

Opening the event, Professor Geraldine Boylan, Director of UCC Futures Children and INFANT Research Centre, highlighted the importance of creating stronger connections across disciplines at University College Cork (UCC), recognising that children’s outcomes are shaped not only by healthcare, but by education, family supports, environment and wider social systems.

Reflecting on the importance of implementation and impact, Professor Boylan noted:

“If we can’t implement research into practice, policy, systems or technology, what was the point of doing it in the first place?”

The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr Christine Cassidy, Associate Professor at Dalhousie University and Clinician Scientist specialising in child health at IWK Health. Introduced by Dr Rachel Flynn, School of Nursing, UCC, Dr Cassidy explored why implementation science and knowledge translation are essential to ensuring research delivers real-world change.

A central theme of the talk was the persistent gap between research and practice. Cassidy highlighted that despite the volume of healthcare research produced globally, evidence does not always translate into practice or policy, while some care delivered may still be low-value or even harmful.

Dr Cassidy emphasised that implementation should not be considered an afterthought once research is complete.

“We need to design research with implementation and impact in mind from the very beginning.”

Throughout the seminar, Dr Cassidy highlighted the importance of research co-production approaches that involve researchers, clinicians, patients, families and communities throughout the research process to ensure findings are relevant, usable and sustainable in real-world settings.

Drawing on examples from her work at the IWK Health Centre, Dr Cassidy demonstrated how collaborative implementation approaches can successfully bridge the gap between evidence and practice, particularly in improving transitions from paediatric to adult healthcare services.

Key themes that emerged from the talk included:

  • Embedding implementation and impact planning into research from the outset
  • Building stronger partnerships between researchers, clinicians, patients and families
  • Developing implementation science capacity within health systems
  • Creating “learning health systems” that continuously connect data, research and care
  • Ensuring equity and sustainability are integrated throughout implementation processes

Dr Cassidy also shared practical examples from her own implementation science research throughout the seminar, illustrating how evidence can be successfully translated into practice. Her presentation, including links to related publications and projects, has kindly been shared here: UCC Futures Children – Christine Cassidy Presentation 2026

The seminar reinforced the vision behind UCC Futures Children: bringing together expertise across disciplines to support research that not only advances knowledge, but creates measurable improvements in children’s lives.

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The gender gap in autism: why we need to do better for girls

By |2026-04-02T09:25:18+01:00April 2nd, 2026|

The gender gap in autism: why we need to do better for girls

Autism diagnosis can be a long and complex process. For some children, assessment takes years. Girls in particular are often identified much later than boys, sometimes not until adolescence meaning they can miss years of support when it matters most.

At the INFANT Research Centre in University College Cork, Dr Jane English is investigating whether biological signals present at birth could help change that timeline.

Her research focuses on identifying early-life biomarkers that may one day support earlier identification of autism, particularly those who could benefit from additional monitoring and support.

The aim is not to diagnose autism at birth, but to build the scientific foundation for earlier screening. If successful, this work could help reduce delays in identification and ensure more children, especially girls, receive support earlier in life.

“The overarching goal is to facilitate early intervention in children with autism.” English explains. “At the moment, diagnosis is complex, and quite often children are not diagnosed until the ages of four or five, and in some cases, much later”.

 

A system under pressure

In Ireland, autism diagnosis typically involves a multidisciplinary team assessment. While comprehensive, the system is under significant strain.

“There are thousands of families on waiting lists for a first-time autism assessment, with waiting times exceeding two years,” English says. “It is extremely challenging for families.”

Early intervention services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and structured parent support can significantly improve a child’s development and quality of life.

However, timing is only part of the challenge. Gender also plays a role in when and how autism is recognised.

 

Why girls with autism are often missed

“We tend to catch boys earlier than girls,” English says. “The diagnostic criteria were largely designed around male-dominated profiles, and some females with autism do not fit this pattern.”

While boys may show more outward behaviours that are easier to recognise, girls are more likely to internalise their difficulties. They may appear shy or anxious while masking social discomfort and sensory challenges. As a result, their needs often go unnoticed, or they are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression.

Recent research suggest that Autism is just as common in girls as in boys, yet boys are up to four times more likely to be diagnosed in childhood.

“The girls are there, but the system is just failing to see them” says English. “Delaying a diagnosis does not mean she is ‘fine’.  It means she misses crucial support.”

This gap also affects research. Studies have historically focused more on males, limiting understanding of how autism presents biologically in females. Expanding female-focused research is therefore central to improving identification and support.

 

Investigating early-life biology

We know autism begins in the womb. That is why Dr English’s research focuses on the prenatal environment and the interaction between mother, placenta, and fetus.

Her team studies maternal cord blood collected immediately after delivery to identify molecular patterns linked to later autism diagnosis.

“We are looking for a molecular signature, like a fingerprint, in cord blood at birth,” explains Aisling Noone, a final year PhD student in the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience.

Using large bio-banked pregnancy cohorts, researchers compare samples from children who later received an autism diagnosis and compare them with neurotypical children. This allows them to identify biological pathways associated with neurodevelopment.

This work is still in the discovery and validation phase.

“This type of research takes time,” English says. “The priority is to understand the biology properly and to replicate findings across populations.”

The team is particularly interested in inflammation and steroid biology during pregnancy. These factors alone cannot predict autism, but alongside genetic susceptibility they may offer important clues about how early development shapes later outcomes.

Understanding complexity

Autism is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, biological and environmental factors. Rather than focusing on single markers, English’s team integrates multiple layers of information to help predict outcome.

This includes biomarker data alongside maternal clinical information such as mental health, stress, pregnancy complications, infection, and infant birth weight. Machine learning models are then used to explore how these factors interact.

“Instead of stripping away complexity, we incorporate it,” she says. “If something is going to be useful in practice, it has to work in the real world.”

This approach represents a shift towards understanding networks of risk and resilience, rather than searching for a single defining cause.

 

From discovery to responsible translation

The long-term ambition is not to provide a definitive diagnosis at birth. English is careful to draw that distinction.

“If the evidence supports it, this could one day contribute to a voluntary approach that helps families understand their child’s needs earlier.” English says.

In principle, such a system might resemble existing newborn screening frameworks, where parents opt in and receive information that supports monitoring and follow-up. Any future screening pathway would require extensive validation, ethical evaluation and close collaboration with clinicians and families.

For now, the work remains focused on strengthening the scientific evidence.

 

Looking ahead

Translating biomarker research into screening tools will take time, larger datasets, and continued collaboration across research and clinical communities. Expanding female-focused studies will also be essential so future approaches reflect the full diversity of how autism presents.

Much remains to be understood about how early biological signals relate to later neurodevelopment. But by investigating the earliest stages of life, this research is helping to build a stronger foundation for earlier identification.

Over time, these advances could help ensure that fewer children wait years for answers, and that girls who are currently overlooked are recognised earlier and supported sooner.

 

Acknowledgements:

This research was supported by the Irish Health Research Board (HRB) through an award to Dr Jane English.

For those interested in following this research or supporting future work in this area, please contact Merrin Browne, Research Engagement and Partnerships Manager, at merrinbrowne@ucc.ie or help support future research here.

 

 

 

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Parents’ voices helping shape cerebral palsy research

By |2026-03-24T15:45:54+00:00March 24th, 2026|

Parents’ voices helping shape cerebral palsy research

 

Research is strongest when it reflects the realities of the people it aims to support.

At the INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork (UCC), parents are helping shape cerebral palsy research through the Cerebral Palsy Parent Advisory Group (CP-PAG). The group is part of the wider ELEVATE research programme and the National Cerebral Palsy Programme, which aim to improve early diagnosis, care pathways and long-term outcomes for children with cerebral palsy in Ireland.

The advisory group brings together parents who share their lived experience to help guide research aimed at improving care, support and outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.

For Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day (25 March), INFANT is highlighting the role parents play in ensuring research reflects the priorities and everyday experiences of families.

Parents involved in the group say their perspectives help researchers better understand what life with cerebral palsy looks like beyond clinical settings.

“We are living the reality every day,” says Kirsty, whose four-year-old son Andre has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

“We can offer perspective into things researchers might not realise are important but matter greatly to families.”

 

Pictured left, Kirsty Diaso with her husband, daughter, and son Andre, who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy; pictured right, Kirsty and Andre.

 

Why lived experience matters in research

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong neurological condition that affects movement, posture and coordination. For many families, the journey after diagnosis involves navigating therapies, services and everyday challenges that are not always visible in clinical research.

Cristín, whose six-year-old son Alex was diagnosed shortly after his first birthday, says involving parents helps bring a human perspective to research.

“Involving parents transforms research from a clinical study into a human-centred one,” she explains.

“Parents bring lived experience that can help researchers understand what families are going through, especially during the emotional and uncertain time around diagnosis.”

Parents in the advisory group contribute in a number of ways, including helping shape research questions, reviewing study design and ensuring research priorities reflect what matters most to families. They have also contributed to over 20 research studies and helped develop national resources for families, making research more accessible and relevant to those living with cerebral palsy.

 

Understanding the realities families face

For many parents, everyday life highlights the barriers that still exist for children with disabilities.

Cristín says some challenges are small but persistent.

“Sometimes it’s things like trying to find adapted shoes that fit over orthotics or checking whether somewhere is accessible before we go out.”

Others highlight wider inequalities in systems designed without disabled children in mind.

She points to the contrast between her children’s school journeys.

“One child can walk ten minutes to school, while the other has to sit on a bus for over an hour to attend a special school that can meet their needs.”

Experiences like these help researchers understand the broader social and practical challenges families face every day.

 

Challenging assumptions about disability

Parents also hope greater awareness will help challenge assumptions about children with physical disabilities.

Cristín says one of the biggest challenges Alex faces is not always mobility.

“It’s the assumption that because he has a physical disability, he cannot understand what people are saying,” she says.

“I would love to see more people stop talking past Alex to me. Get down to his level and speak directly to him.”
For families, awareness is not only about understanding the condition itself, but also about recognising the abilities, personalities and voices of the children living with it.

 

Pictured left: Cristin McCormack, and son Alex, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after his first birthday; pictured right, the family enjoying a day out together.

 

From lived experience to better research

Since her son’s diagnosis, Kirsty has taken a strong interest in cerebral palsy research and how it can improve care and support for families.

She recently launched Cerebral Palsy Social (@cerebralpalsysocial), a support network for parents and caregivers of children with cerebral palsy.

For her, contributing to research is another way parents can help shape a better future.

“Cerebral palsy is not a curable condition,” she says. “But with the right therapies, supports and understanding, people with cerebral palsy can thrive and live full lives.”

She believes involving parents in research focuses on outcomes that truly matter to children and families. Embedding parent voices in research from the outset also means programmes like ELEVATE can drive real-world improvements in care, support and outcomes for children and families across Ireland.

 

Looking toward a more inclusive future

For parents like Kirsty and Cristín, Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day is an opportunity not only to raise awareness but also to build understanding.

“To me, CP Awareness Day is about bridging the gap between awareness of CP as a label and a true understanding of what a diagnosis means,” says Cristín.

“It’s an opportunity to celebrate our amazing children while also highlighting the challenges families face and working toward a future where every child with cerebral palsy grows up in an inclusive and supportive community.”

Through initiatives such as the Cerebral Palsy Parent Advisory Group, parent voices are helping ensure research reflects the realities of families and contributes to better care and support in the future.

 

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Postdoctoral Researcher Opportunity

By |2026-03-24T12:47:22+00:00March 24th, 2026|

 

Postdoctoral Researcher Opportunity

INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork
Fixed Term: 24 Months (Full-Time)

The INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the SOPHIE Project (School-age Outcome Prediction using radiomic imaging algorithms in Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy).

About the Project

The SOPHIE project aims to improve how we predict long-term outcomes for infants affected by hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). This research focuses on developing advanced MRI-based biomarkers that can help identify children at risk of altered brain development and cognitive challenges at school age.

The project involves:

  • MRI scanning and neurocognitive assessment of school-age children with a history of HIE, alongside matched controls
  • Advanced quantitative MRI analysis
  • Identification of imaging features linked to neurodevelopmental outcomes
  • Development of machine learning models to predict future brain development
  • Integration of imaging and clinical data to improve early prediction tools

Role Overview

The successful candidate will contribute to a multidisciplinary research programme combining neuroimaging, data analysis, and machine learning to advance understanding of early brain injury and long-term outcomes.

Salary

€46,805 – €53,391 per annum (IUA PD1 Salary Scale)

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the University College Cork recruitment portal:
👉 https://ore.ucc.ie/

Job Ref: 094673

For full details and the information package, please visit the link above.

Informal Enquiries

Prof Brian Walsh
📧 brianhenry.walsh@ucc.ie

Key Dates

  • Closing Date: Friday, 3 April 2026 (12:00 noon, Irish time)
  • Interviews: Scheduled for the following week (online)

Equality & Inclusion

University College Cork is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.
More information: https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/

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Children Needed For Research Study: The SOPHIE Study

By |2026-02-13T16:17:56+00:00February 5th, 2026|

The SOPHIE Study is a research study at University College Cork and Cork University Maternity Hospital/Cork University Hospital. Researchers at INFANT, UCC are looking for healthy children aged 5-11 years old to take part in this study. The study is looking to recruit more participants. 

  • What is the Study? 

‘SOPHIE’ is an acronym for ‘School-aged Outcomes Post Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy’. Some children are diagnosed with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) after birth. These babies need extra help after delivery, due to issues with oxygen and blood flow to their brain. They are admitted to the neonatal unit and receive special treatment to help their brain to recover.

There is very little information on how children who have been diagnosed with HIE in the newborn period continue to develop after two years of age. We know that some children have difficulties at school, but we don’t know how to identify these children early so that we can intervene sooner and improve their long-term outcomes.

We are looking for healthy children to volunteer also to have a developmental assessment and if they wish, an MRI brain scan.

The project is supervised by supervisors from University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, and INFANT Research Centre.

  • Who is it for? 

Healthy children aged 5-11 years old who have no known developmental issues. Children are eligible if they were born after 36 weeks gestation and were not admitted to the neonatal unit within 12 hours of birth.

  • What do I need to do?

The study has two parts – the first visit is for the developmental assessment. The second visit is optional, for an MRI brain scan. Both visits take place at Cork University Hospital.

  1. Developmental assessment: This takes about 1.5 hours and involves a brief IQ test (using pictures and puzzles) and playing games on an iPad.
  2. MRI Brain: The scan itself takes about 20 minutes but you would be in CUH for about 1 hour in total.
    1. View more information about the MRI scan here: CUH Paediatric MRI (SOPHIE Study)
  • Why is this study being done?

By conducting these tests, we hope to gain information on how to identify issues earlier and improve long-term outcome in children diagnosed with HIE in the newborn period.

  • What are the benefits and risks of participating in this study?

By participating in this study, you are contributing to important research on childhood development and brain injury. The aim is that the results from this study will help to improve the outcomes for children and gain specific interventions sooner to maximise their developmental growth over early childhood.

It may be of interest to you or your child to have a developmental check, an IQ test, and/or an MRI brain scan. If there are findings from either visit that need to be discussed or addressed, a member of the consultant team will meet with the family and refer them to the appropriate services if necessary.

  • What is the time commitment?

1.5 hours for the developmental assessment which will take place in the Cork University Hospital.

1 hour for the MRI brain (20 minutes scanning time) which will take place in the Cork University Hospital.

  • What will happen to the results of this study?

The results of this study will be published in academic journals and presented at scientific meetings. You will never be identified individually during these presentations or any reports or publications. To ensure confidentiality, the data generated during this study is coded with a unique Study ID Number that will be allocated once your child is recruited to the study.

University College Cork (UCC) is the study’s Sponsor and will act as the data controller for this study. Any personal data which you provide to the University will be treated with the highest standards of security and confidentiality, in accordance with Irish and European Data Protection legislation.

  • Where can I get more information?

If you have any further questions regarding this study, please contact Dr Anne Murray: SOPHIE@ucc.ie

  • Interested in taking part in the study?

Fill out the enquiry form and a member of the research team will contact you: https://forms.office.com/e/1ajEMTUmDY

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Children Needed for Research Study: AIM-HIGH Feasibility Study

By |2026-03-24T15:09:24+00:00January 27th, 2026|

Overview

The AIM-HIGH Feasibility Study is a research study at the INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork (UCC) and Cork University Maternity Hospital(CUMH). Researchers at INFANT, UCC are looking for healthy infants aged between 22 – 26 months to take part in this study.

Express Interest here: https://forms.office.com/e/ZzAkScCcDG 

What is the Study?

In the INFANT Research Centre, we have developed a new way of measuring how well your child thinks, understands and learns about the world around them. The new test, CogniToT, is an interactive 20-minute tablet-based test involving playful tasks. Recently we have improved the design so that children with poorer vision can also complete the tasks. Before we test this in high-risk infants, but we need to see how healthy, normal-sighted children also perform on this new version. This is why we are asking for healthy children (22 – 26 months) to participate in this study.  

The study is supervised by clinical consultants from University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, and INFANT Research Centre.

Who is it for?

Healthy infants, born at term, now aged between 22- 26 months with no known developmental or visual concerns.

What do I need to do?

  • Attend a 1-hour visit at the INFANT Research Centre, Cork University Hospital.

During the visit, we will check your child’s vision, get them to complete the updated version of CogniToT (Figure 1) and then ask you to fill-out a quick questionnaire about your child’s development. All the tests are painless and will not distress your child.

Figure 1: CogniTOT – An easy, screen-based assessment of how your child thinks and learns.

Why is this study being done?

We hope to gain information on how healthy children perform on the updated CogniTOT test and help us to improve the test design.

What are the benefits and risks of participating in this study?

  • Help improve the design and advance child-friendly technology in healthcare
  • If we have concerns about your child’s vision or development, we will arrange referrals to appropriate services if necessary

What will happen to the results of this study?

The results of this study will be published in academic journals and presented at conferences. Your child will never be identified individually during these presentations or in any reports or publications. Your child will be given a unique study ID code when they start the study, so all information is linked only to this unique ID, keeping your child’ data anonymised and confidential.

UCC is sponsoring this study, and they will ensure that we are following the highest standards of security and confidentiality regarding data, and comply with Irish and European Data Protection legislation.

Where can I get more information?

If you have any further questions regarding this study, please contact Dr Matilda Biba: mbiba@ucc.ie

Interested in taking part in the study?

Fill out the enquiry form here: https://forms.office.com/e/ZzAkScCcDG and a member of the research team will contact you.

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INFANT’s Annual Study Day 2025 – The Highlights

By |2026-02-11T09:12:22+00:00December 18th, 2025|

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.

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New UCC Research Links Iron Deficiency in Mothers During Early Pregnancy to Lower Language and Motor Skills at Age Two

By |2025-12-17T13:13:23+00:00December 17th, 2025|

University College Cork (UCC) researchers have called for routine screening for iron deficiency in pregnant women, following new research that shows that iron deficiency in early pregnancy, even without anaemia, may be associated with lower language and motor development scores in children at two years of age.

The findings, published in The Journal of Nutrition, build on major research released last year which showed that four in five pregnant women in Ireland are iron deficient by the third trimester. This new study sheds light on how early in pregnancy this deficiency matters for a baby’s brain development and reinforces the importance of greater awareness, early screening and supporting women throughout pregnancy.

The latest findings are a result of research by the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT) at UCC and partners at the University of Minnesota and the Masonic Institute of the Developing Brain.

This study included 189 mother-child pairs, who participated in the IMPROvED and COMBINE cohort studies at the INFANT Research Centre, UCC.

The key findings:

  • Over 40% of women in the study had low iron stores by mid-pregnancy, despite being a generally healthy, low-risk group.
  • Babies born to mothers who were iron deficient early in pregnancy had lower iron stores at birth, indicating that maternal iron levels directly influence a baby’s iron status.
  • Children were assessed at two years of age, using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, a gold-standard, internationally recognised measure of child neurodevelopment.

The study found that iron deficiency in early pregnancy may be associated with lower motor and language developmental scores at age two.

Why This Matters

Iron is essential for brain development throughout pregnancy, but the critical window appears to be much earlier than previously understood.

Lead researcher Dr Elaine McCarthy, Lecturer in Nutrition at UCC’s School of Food and Nutritional Sciences and Lead Investigator at the INFANT Research Centre, explains:

“We have previously shown that iron deficiency is very common in pregnancy, even in high-resource, low-risk settings like Ireland. This new research provides an early indication of the lasting consequences of iron deficiency without anaemia in pregnancy, further emphasising the importance of adequate iron nutrition during pregnancy to protect the developing infant brain. These findings highlight the need for screening for iron deficiency in women during pregnancy, and trials to look at the benefit of targeted supplementation in women with low iron stores; not just focusing on anaemia in pregnancy.”

Prof Mairead Kiely, Professor of Human Nutrition at UCC adds:

“This data shows that without a diagnosis of anaemia, more than two in five women had low iron stores by mid-pregnancy, which was associated lower language and motor scores in childhood developmental assessments at 2 years.  The widespread malnutrition of iron and other nutrients among women requires attention as malnutrition is intergenerational and has lasting effects which we are only starting to uncover now.”

Dr McCarthy also adds:

“Our aim is to support women. With the right information, dietary guidance and early screening, iron deficiency is something we can address effectively.”

New Free Guide: ‘A Guide on Iron During Pregnancy’

Following last year’s findings, the researchers at UCC and the Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate have developed a free, practical resource ‘A Guide on Iron During Pregnancy’ for expectant parents. Available to download here: https://www.infantcentre.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/UCC-ISWID-A-Guide-on-Iron-During-Pregnancy-Final-PDF.pdf

It includes:

  • Clear information on the importance of iron in pregnancy
  • Practical tips for boosting iron intake
  • Simple, nourishing recipe ideas using accessible foods

Call for Updated Screening Practices

At present, routine screening for iron deficiency is not part of standard antenatal care in Ireland or many other countries, and there is no universally agreed definition for iron deficiency during pregnancy. The research team believes the evidence now strongly supports earlier pregnancy screening for iron deficiency, clearer diagnostic guidelines and greater awareness among healthcare providers and expectant parents.

This study sets the stage for opportunities for larger global collaborative research with the long-term goal of translating findings into policy change and clinical practice worldwide.

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UCC researchers receive €6.2m to lead groundbreaking discoveries

By |2026-01-26T12:50:22+00:00November 14th, 2025|

November 14th 2025: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, TD, has today announced €34.5 million in funding to support 39 cutting-edge research projects.

Addressing biodiversity at Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve by combining modern mathematical methods, building computer models that better predict long-term outcomes for babies affected by birth-related oxygen loss, and the 3D printing of rechargeable batteries in any shape using sustainable materials are amongst the seven University College Cork (UCC) and Tyndall National Institute projects to receive a collective €6.2m funding under the Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme. 

The Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme funds high-risk, high-reward research programmes and innovative, collaborative research with the potential to deliver economic and societal impact. This year’s Frontiers for the Future Programme was co-funded by Children’s Health Foundation, Breakthrough Cancer Research, and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. 

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, today announced a total €34.5 million investment to support 39 cutting-edge research projects nationwide through the Programme. 

Announcing the awards, Minister Lawless said: “We are investing in cutting-edge, curiosity-driven research, and empowering individual researchers to progress bold ideas that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. These awards demonstrate our dedication to building a diverse and inclusive research community that delivers impact for our society and economy. I look forward to seeing the development and outputs of these projects over the coming years.” 

Professor John F. Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation said: “We are immensely proud of our researchers at UCC who will lead these Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme awards. Aligning with several of our UCC Futures thematic areas, these projects will further strengthen UCC’s national and global leadership in delivering impactful research and finding innovative solutions to major scientific, societal and healthcare challenges.” 

Among the new research projects totalling €6.2m that will be funded at University College Cork and Tyndall National Institute are: 

 

School-age Outcome Prediction using radiomic imaging algorithm in Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (SOPHIE)
Funding Amount: €768,722 

Leads: Professor Brian Walsh, INFANT Research Centre and Cork University Maternity Hospital and Professor Deirdre Murray, INFANT Research Centre and Department of Paediatrics and Child Health 

This project will develop new computer models for the early newborn MRI, that look at both the initial injury and also how the brain will develop over time, to better predict outcomes. To do this, the researchers will perform repeat MRIs and outcome assessment at school-age and develop computer models linking the newborn and school-age information. 

 

Adaptive dynamical network solutions to ecological restoration
Funding Amount: €1,225,836 

Leads: Professor Sebastian Wieczorek and Dr. Serhiy Yanchuk, School of Mathematical Sciences. 

This project addresses biodiversity loss by combining modern mathematical techniques of Network Science and Tipping Point Theory with real-world applications to specific ecological problems. The focus will be on modelling invasive species and ecological sleepers in Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve, with a view to extending the study to ecological restoration in other ecosystems in Ireland and Europe. 

Unmanned marine Mapping and Monitoring to support Irelands offshore Development (DMAND)
Funding Amount: €1,221,660 

Lead: Dr. Aaron Lim, Department of Geography, School of the Human Environment and Sustainability Institute 

The DMAND project uses a swarm of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to map the seafloor from shallow coastal zones to deeper offshore areas (1–300 m). By developing smarter, more efficient methods for data collection and analysis, this research will help to make offshore renewable energy more affordable and environmentally responsible by revolutionising how we collect and use marine data. 

Surface functionalisation of silicon devices for electrical detection of gas phase ammonia at atmospherically relevant concentrations (SUREDETECT)
Funding Amount: €809,219 

Lead: Dr. Stig Hellebust, School of Chemistry. 

This project will develop the science and technology to detect and quantify ammonia (an air pollutant) via new, low-cost, and mass-produced surface functionalised silicon devices. The technology has the potential to bring about a significant breakthrough in ammonia monitoring, improved control of ammonia emissions, new insights into atmospheric chemistry, enhance public awareness of air quality and enable more public engagement and citizen science. 

Fully Recyclable 3D Printable Aqueous Rechargeable Batteries in Any Shape using Sustainable Resources
Funding Amount: €778,147 

Lead: Professor Colm O’Dwyer, School of Chemistry. 

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, of rechargeable batteries can create new form-factor cells moulded to the shape of the device at design stage without compromising energy density at cell level. This project will use sustainable materials to 3D print rechargeable batteries in any shape, so they match the device design and function from the get-go, rather than the other way round. And when the batteries are no longer needed, the outer casings and inner battery materials can be completely recycled and recovered for reuse. 

Tracking Recycling in Brain Cancer: The TRIBeCA Study
Funding Amount: €775,491 

Lead: Dr. Andrew Lindsay, School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. 

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive brain cancer in adults, and its incidence is rising due to an aging population. Remarkably, the survival rates for this cancer have not improved since the early 19th century. This project aims to discover new therapeutic targets by systematically analysing how a biological pathway, that we identified as being overactive in glioblastoma, contributes to the tumour’s aggressiveness. 

High efficiency power conversion and delivery with light (Hilight)
Funding Amount: €584,513 

Lead: Brian Corbett, Tyndall National Institute and School of Physics. 

The project will develop effective ways of harvesting energy from light, creating innovative and efficient methods to transfer energy using light, resulting in new power converting devices. These will enable more efficient collection of energy from the sun and power delivery for difficult places such as high voltage environments and medical endoscopes. 

The 39 Research Ireland funded initiatives span across the following 12 research institutions: Dublin City University, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Maynooth University, Munster Technological University, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Teagasc, Trinity College Dublin, Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Galway, and University of Limerick. 

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