UCC – INFANT

Professor Eugene Dempsey appointed Head of School of Medicine at UCC

Professor Eugene Dempsey appointed Head of School of Medicine at UCC

By Comms|2026-09-24T13:25:22+01:00September 24th, 2026|

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.

—

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.

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

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

By Comms|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.

INFANT, UCC Researcher Amongst New Fulbright Awardees

INFANT, UCC Researcher Amongst New Fulbright Awardees

By Comms|2025-08-06T08:55:18+01:00July 25th, 2025|

Friday, 25^th July, 2025: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, and the Embassy of the United States of America in Dublin are pleased to announce 18 Fulbright Irish Awardees for 2025-2026. Recipients were presented with Awards at a ceremony in the U.S. Embassy last night.

Founded in 1946, the Fulbright bilateral exchange programme has served to strengthen international relations by facilitating academic and cultural exchanges globally for over 79 years. The Fulbright Program in Ireland has awarded grants to more than 2,500 Irish and American citizens since 1957, contributing to enduring Ireland-U.S. relations and a global culture of understanding.

Fulbright alumni include 44 current or former heads of state, 62 Nobel Laureates, 90 Pulitzer Prize-winners, and 82 MacArthur Foundation Fellows. Each year, talented and remarkable candidates from across Ireland are selected to research, study and teach with leading experts at top institutions across the U.S. in disciplines ranging from business, law, health and technology to culture, heritage, the arts, and the Irish language.

From August 2025 to August 2026, Fulbright Irish Scholars, Students and Professionals will attend institutions ranging from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Kansas to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Maxine Greene Institute, and the University of Colorado Boulder. Awardees will research, innovate and collaborate across a diverse range of fields including multimedia arts, philosophy, medicine, agriculture, education, art history, AI technology in medicine, AI technology in education, visual arts, and health.

Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) will teach the Irish language and attend Irish language Immersion weekends at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Our Lady of the Elms, University of Montana, and the University of Notre Dame.

Awardees serve as cultural ambassadors during their time in the U.S. and share their knowledge, ideas and experience upon their return, creating lasting impacts for society. Fulbright awardees, inspired by the mission, ethos and legacy of the Fulbright Program of creating a global culture of mutual understanding, continue the important work of strengthening ties between the U.S. and Ireland and advancing much needed empathy in today’s increasingly divided world.

The Fulbright Irish Awards will open on 28^th August 2025. Interested candidates should visit www.fulbright.ie for more information.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Edward S. Walsh, said…

“The Fulbright Program plays a crucial role in strengthening ties between the United States and Ireland. Through educational and cultural exchanges, Fulbright awardees work toward fostering mutual understanding and finding solutions to global issues, ensuring that our extraordinary transatlantic relationship continues to flourish. I congratulate this year’s awardees on their success.”

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris T.D., said…

“I warmly congratulate the Fulbright Irish Awardees for 2025-2026. The Fulbright Program – spanning 14 presidential administrations – has been an important initiative in sustaining the unique and special relationship that Ireland and the United States share. At the dawn of the age of artificial intelligence, there is still no substitution for the personal engagement, which sustains our deep and rich people-to-people connections. As such, Fulbright Awardees serve as cultural ambassadors for Ireland in the United States, sharing their knowledge, expertise and learnings upon return. I am proud that my Government has supported Fulbright to maintain and strengthen ties between the U.S. and Ireland and build on our transatlantic academic and cultural connections. I want to wish the Fulbright Irish Awardees 2025-2026 every success as they embark on this exciting journey.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Chair of the Fulbright Commission Ireland Board, Professor Paul Donnelly, said…

“On behalf of the Fulbright Commission Ireland Board, I am delighted to congratulate the 18 Fulbright Irish Awardees on their success. At a time of global change and uncertainty, the mission, values and legacy of the Fulbright Program of leadership, empathy, understanding, and collaboration endure, embodied by a new cohort of excellent Fulbright awardees embarking on academic and cultural exchanges in the United States. We take pride in their achievement and wish the awardees a rich and rewarding experience.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Ireland, Dr Dara FitzGerald, said…

“As Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Ireland, it is gratifying to see a new cohort of thriving Fulbright Irish Awardees embark on Fulbright awards to the United States. Awardees join a growing global network of Fulbright alumni, friends and colleagues who have achieved accolades across all disciplines. While the Fulbright Program is synonymous with cutting edge research, innovation, teaching and academic excellence, it is equally known for its important role in strengthening international relations and fostering mutual understanding through cultural exchange. As Senator J. Fulbright said, ‘The Fulbright Program aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs.’

I would like to highlight the ongoing and sterling support of our partners, the Irish Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, and the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Dublin.

We are deeply grateful to our Irish award sponsors and partners: Research Ireland, the Health Research Board, the Environmental Protection Agency, Geological Survey Ireland, National University of Ireland, Teagasc, the Creative Ireland Programme, the Heritage Council and notable U.S. Institutions such as the Exploratorium, the Smithsonian, the Harry Ransom Center, Florida Polytechnic University, the University of Southern California, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School; and Irish institutions such as University College Cork, Technological University of the Shannon, Technological University of Dublin, AMBER Research Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Maynooth University, University of Limerick and the Kemmy Business School, Atlantic Technological University, and the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies.”

There is 1 Fulbright UCC Awardee this year – from INFANT Research Centre:

Dr Lisa Kiely MD is a Dermatology Specialist Registrar and an Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) Fellow at the INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork. She holds an honours BSc in Physiology from the University of Galway, a postgraduate medical degree from the University of Limerick, and a Master’s in Clinical Education from Queen’s University Belfast. Currently pursuing a PhD, her research focuses on using advanced imaging techniques to improve detection and monitoring of disease activity in morphea, a rare inflammatory skin condition. Her work aims to improve how this condition is monitored and managed in clinical practice. As a Fulbright Irish Student Awardee, Lisa will travel to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where she will collaborate with Professor Heidi Jacobe, a global leader in morphea research. Lisa is excited at the opportunity to foster long-term transatlantic collaboration in morphea research.

🌍 World Brain Day 2025 🧠

By Comms|2025-07-24T12:31:27+01:00July 22nd, 2025|

Today, on World Brain Day, we’re proud to shine a light on the work we do at the INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork (UCC).

The theme for World Brain Day 2025 is “Brain Health for All Ages,” continuing global efforts to promote brain health as a lifelong priority.

The day aims to raise awareness about brain health and promote neurological research. Established by the World Federation of Neurology, World Brain Day highlights the importance of brain health and the ongoing need for research, education, and innovation to combat neurological disorders. It also serves as an inspiration for young minds to explore the complexities of the human brain and contribute to advancements in neuroscience.

The INFANT Research Centre is a hub of world-leading research and innovation, dedicated to improving outcomes during pregnancy, the newborn period, and early childhood.

A core focus of our research is the newborn brain, understanding it, protecting it, and ensuring the best possible start for every child.

We have achieved a number of milestones in Brain Health over the years and continue to do so, here are some of the highlights:

Developed innovative technologies to detect brain injuries in newborns.
Translated our innovative research into spin-out companies focusing on newborn brain health, including Cergenx and NeuroBell and continue to develop new technologies.
Collaborated on international studies, including the Baby BRAiN Project, which aimed to improve our understanding of newborn brain injury in Uganda and examined the impacts of events around the time of birth on both the baby’s brain and the child’s longer-term outcomes.

INFANT conducts a number of research projects prioritising newborn brain health, one particular project is called ELEVATE, a five-year research programme which is focused on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of brain injury and cerebral palsy in infants, particularly during the critical window of neuroplasticity (up to 2 years of age). INFANT is leading this programme in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin(TCD), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Ireland’s tertiary-level maternity hospitals. It’s funded under a Strategic Partnership Programme by Research Ireland and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF).

ELEVATE aims to establish Ireland as a world-leading hub for CP research and innovation.

Together, we are leveraging cutting-edge technologies and multidisciplinary collaboration to transform the landscape of CP research and care.

The goal: to improve outcomes and quality of life for children with CP, their families and carers in Ireland and globally.

➡️ Learn more about the programme: https://www.infantcentre.ie/research/elevate/

➡️ Read an Interview with Prof Deirdre Murray, the CPF Chair of Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy: (10) Cerebral Palsy Foundation Chair in Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy: Professor Deirdre Murray, One Year On – 6th Oct 2024 | LinkedIn

💡 Why It Matters

This World Brain Day, we recognise our incredible researchers, clinicians, and collaborators who are working every day to ensure every child has the best possible start in life.

Through science, innovation, and collaboration, we continue to advance the field of brain health, starting at the very beginning.

60% of Pregnant Women in Irish Study Show Signs of Iodine Deficiency, UCC Research Finds

60% of Pregnant Women in Irish Study Show Signs of Iodine Deficiency, UCC Research Finds

By Comms|2025-06-30T16:14:56+01:00June 30th, 2025|

60% of pregnant women in a study group in Ireland show signs of iodine deficiency, according to new UCC research.
Iodine is essential for baby brain development, and requirements increase by 50% during pregnancy but can’t be produced by our bodies.
Even some women who reported taking pregnancy supplements were affected, indicating a potential opportunity to enhance awareness and adherence to existing recommendations for iodine during pregnancy.
Ireland does not have national iodine supplementation, salt iodisation or iodine food fortification policies, prompting calls for review.

A new study by researchers at University College Cork (UCC), Ireland found that 60% of pregnant women had suboptimal iodine status, highlighting a need for increased nutritional awareness to support maternal and child health.

Published recently in the European Journal of Nutrition, the IMPROvED study evaluated iodine levels in over 1,500 women who were pregnant with their first baby at Cork University Maternity Hospital. The research was led by Dr Áine Hennessy from the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT) and the Cork Centre for Vitamin D & Nutrition Research at the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences.

Key Findings:

60% of participants had insufficient iodine intake.
The average urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 125µg/L, below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended level of 150µg/L for pregnancy.
Women who were younger, had a higher BMI, lower education levels, or were not taking iodine containing supplements were more likely to be deficient.
Seasonal variation played a role, with lower iodine levels during the summer months.
This study highlights the first large scale assessment of iodine status in pregnant women in Ireland.

Why This Matters

Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production, which supports a baby’s brain development during pregnancy. A woman’s iodine requirement increases by 50% during pregnancy, making adequate intake from our diet essential. Our bodies cannot make iodine, so we must get it from our diet. Deficiency can lead to adverse outcomes, including impaired neurodevelopment in children.

“Iodine deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies worldwide, there is little public awareness of the important role that iodine plays in brain development during pregnancy” said Dr Áine Hennessy, lead researcher.

“Our findings are particularly concerning as most women in the study were considered healthy and low risk and two thirds reported taking pregnancy supplements containing iodine. This suggests that additional public health measures may need to be addressed”

Public Health Implications

Ireland does not currently have a policy for salt iodisation or iodine food fortification. While National Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend prioritising iodine intake from foods, and supplement use where intake from food is not adequate, the level of awareness of the importance of iodine during pregnancy is low. This research reveals a need for policy review and nutrition education for women of childbearing age.

Dr Hennessy advises: “Women planning a pregnancy should ensure adequate iodine intake through diet – including two or more servings of milk or yoghurt daily and eating white fish once a week is recommended by the HSE. For those following vegan or predominantly plant-based diets, it’s important to choose iodine fortified alternatives. We do not recommend kelp or seaweed supplements, as they can contain very high levels of iodine that can cause issues for the thyroid”

This study was a secondary analysis of the IMPROvED Study, funded by a Science Foundation Ireland (Research Ireland) Starting Investigator Research Grant to lead investigator, Dr Áine Hennessy.

These findings serve as an important first step in informing and guiding public health nutrition policies.

ENDS.

Notes to the Editor:

The IMPROvED study recruited 1,509 women who were pregnant with their first baby at Cork University Maternity Hospital. The women answered health questionnaires and provided urine samples, which were later measured for urinary iodine concentration (UIC).
The findings from this study have been published in the European Journal of Nutrition
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-025-03692-z

About INFANT Research Centre, UCC

The Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), hosted at University College Cork, is the hub of world-leading research and innovation, working to provide better outcomes in pregnancy, birth and early childhood.

Pet dogs could combat genetic eczema risk in children

Pet dogs could combat genetic eczema risk in children

By Comms|2025-06-05T16:02:17+01:00June 5th, 2025|

This study uses data from the BASELINE study, which was a longitudinal cohort study, coordinated by the Infant Centre in UCC, which was also funded by the National Children’s Research Centre with our Children’s Health Foundation.

Four Awards for INFANT Team at UCC Research and Innovation Awards

Four Awards for INFANT Team at UCC Research and Innovation Awards

By Comms|2025-05-30T11:29:54+01:00May 30th, 2025|

We are very proud to announce four INFANT colleagues were recognised at the 2024 UCC Research and Innovation Awards.

UCC is an internationally competitive, research-led university that plays a key role in the development of Ireland’s knowledge-based economy and provides the insight and understanding of the challenges facing our society. The UCC Research and Innovation Awards embrace this excellence in research, innovation, and entrepreneurial activity, across the entire university research community, spanning all disciplines.

Researchers were awarded across twenty-two categories, five of which recognise specific achievements in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Jerry Deasy, INFANT’s Research Systems Manager was awarded with the Research Support Person of the Year.

Jerry’s unwavering commitment, technical expertise, and proactive approach have been pivotal in enabling researchers at INFANT to achieve groundbreaking advancements in maternal and child health research. His contributions are far-reaching, transforming the way we approach data systems, computing infrastructure, and international collaboration.

Dr Cathal O’Connor, INFANT PhD student was awarded Dean of Doctoral Studies PhD Student of the Year.

Cathal is a phenomenal PhD student and dual trained dermatologist and paediatrician with almost 100 peer-reviewed publications. His PhD study assesses sleep in early-onset atopic dermatitis by longitudinal evaluation study. In 2024 he ranked top in Europe and was voted a ‘Future Leader’ by both the European Society for Paediatric Dermatology and the European Society for Dermatological Research. In 2024 he received significant national and international recognition, and was awarded the William Stokes award, which recognises “research of the highest standards carried out by Trainees in Higher Specialist Training” for his PhD study, and he also won the Royal Academy of Medicines in Ireland award for best research in dermatology for research performed as part of his PhD in UCC.

INFANT PI Prof Fergus McCarthy and pHetalSafe team’s “Raman for Lactate” was awarded Invention of the Year.

The innovation lies in a non-invasive fetal monitoring device that uses Raman spectroscopy to measure fetal wellbeing from the fetal scalp during labor. The device measures the blood biomarker, lactate, to ascertain if the baby is hypoxic (lacking oxygen). The pHetalsafe device addresses the limitations of current fetal monitoring methods like the gold standard cardiotocography (CTG) which often leads to misinterpretation, and Fetal Blood Sampling (FBS) which uses an invasive blade for sampling and separate lab analysis.

INFANT, UCC spin-out company NeuroBell was awarded Spin-out of the Year.

NeuroBell was founded by Dr. Mark O’Sullivan, Dr. Alison O’Shea, and Colm Murphy in 2023, Neurobell is a spin-out from UCC and the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT). The company aims to revolutionise seizure detection in newborns in NICUs, crucial for early intervention in brain injury cases like epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Neurobell is developing the Neurobell Wave; a pocket-sized wireless neonatal brain EEG monitor that utilizes embedded edge-AI, enabling seamless and expert-free monitoring, enhancing care without the need for extensive training. In 2024, Neurobell secured a €2.1 million investment led by Furthr VC, Atlantic Bridge, and HBAN MedTech Syndicate, with additional support from Enterprise Ireland and private investors. This funding will advance the development of their AI-powered medical device for real-time seizure detection in newborns, create 12 new jobs, and facilitate clinical studies in the USA.

Professor John F. Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation at UCC said: “We are delighted to celebrate the award recipients of this year’s UCC Research and Innovation Awards. Our awardees’ achievements reflect the exceptional research and innovation culture that exists across the UCC campus. The quality of nominations was outstanding and speaks to the creativity, commitment, and impact of our research and innovation community. These awards not only honour individual excellence but also highlight how UCC research and innovation continues to lead and inspire on both a national and international stage.”

The Awards are sponsored by PurdyLucey, one of Ireland’s top European Intellectual Property (IP) firms working across Irish, UK, European, US and international markets, and specialising in Life Science, Food Tech, Med Tech, High-Tech and Engineering projects.

INFANT showcases at the Cork Carnival of Science

INFANT showcases at the Cork Carnival of Science

By Comms|2024-06-27T14:06:05+01:00June 26th, 2024|

The INFANT team attended and showcased at the Cork Carnival of Science event in June at Fitzgerald’s Park.

This event is Ireland’s largest outdoor science engagement event and attracts over 25,000+ people each year and is filled with fun STEM activities, shows, workshops and is a fascinating weekend of discovery where families can unearth the magic of science in the great outdoors.

The team showcased all aspects of INFANT’s research in the “Exploration Avenue” which was buzzing with excitement and curiosity as we engaged with lots of children and families.

It was fantastic to have so many visit our stand, the support and enthusiasm really inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of maternal and child health research.

💜

CUH and UCC designated World Allergy Organisation Center of Excellence

CUH and UCC designated World Allergy Organisation Center of Excellence

By Comms|2024-06-26T09:35:29+01:00June 10th, 2024|

CUH and UCC Paediatric Allergy Research group accredited as Center of Excellence by World Allergy Organisation, the first of its kind in Ireland.
Recognition is a testament to the excellence in clinical care, education and research in Allergy and Immunology at our institutions.
Allergies can affect all aspects of a child’s daily life, including their health and wellbeing.

Cork University Hospital-University College Cork (CUH-UCC) Paediatric Allergy Research Group at the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health (INFANT) has been recognised as a World Allergy Organisation (WAO) Center of Excellence, the first of its kind in Ireland.

The prestigious accreditation recognises CUH-UCC’s position as a global leader in allergy and immunology research, education, and clinical care.

The WAO Centers of Excellence programme aims to intensify and accelerate multidisciplinary scientific and clinical innovation, education, and advocacy worldwide. CUH-UCC joins leading international centres which advance excellence in education, research, and training in allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology.

In Ireland, 10% of children and young adults have more than one allergic or atopic disorder such as food allergy, eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis. Allergies in childhood can have a major impact on the overall quality of life of a child. In severe cases, children may experience anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction. Early identification and management of allergies are crucial in supporting the lifelong health and well-being of children.

Transforming the lives of patients and their families

Operating from Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, the CUH-UCC Paediatric Allergy Research Group aims to transform the lives of patients in Ireland and worldwide. The group’s main focus is on the translational paediatric allergy field, in particular food allergies, analysing how bacteria can affect allergies within the gut, skin and lungs, and quality of life. They are dedicated to discovering new therapies to diagnose food allergies and to prevent allergies from happening in the first place.

The co-directors of the Paediatric Allergy Research Group are Dr Juan Trujillo, Consultant Paediatric Allergist, and Program Director of the Postgraduate Program in Allergy and Clinical Immunology at UCC, and Dr Audrey Dunn-Galvin, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor Applied Psychology at UCC.

Advancing multidisciplinary research and innovation

Cork University Hospital CEO, David Donegan said: “This accreditation highlights our dedication to providing the highest level of care to paediatric allergy patients. It reinforces our commitment to patient education, advocacy, and innovative therapies.”

The majority of clinical research is undertaken is in CUH, while research spans across UCC including the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Applied Psychology, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, and School of Nursing and Midwifery. Active partners and collaborators in the allergy field include the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health (INFANT centre), HRB Clinical Research Facility (CRF-UCC), and APC Microbiome Ireland.

The CUH-UCC Paediatric Allergy Research Group also delivers education programmes which attract students from across the globe and pivotal to the WAO accreditation is the success of the online postgraduate programme in Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Professor Helen Whelton, Head of College of Medicine and Health UCC, said: “This prestigious international recognition underscores UCC’s commitment to excellence in multidisciplinary allergy research and education. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and their ongoing translation of new knowledge to clinical care”.

Professor Geraldine Boylan, Director of the INFANT Research Centre, said: “Being recognised by the WAO signifies the high standard of research being conducted by the Paediatric Allergy Research Group at INFANT, UCC and it opens up doors for strengthening global collaborations and connections.”

CergenX wins UCC Spin-out Company of the Year

CergenX wins UCC Spin-out Company of the Year

By Comms|2026-08-31T20:03:04+01:00June 4th, 2024|

INFANT, UCC spin-out company CergenX, won “UCC Spin-out Company of the Year” at the 2023 UCC Research and Innovation Awards.

CergenX is a MedTech company founded in 2021 from INFANT, University College Cork. Its ambition is to make AI-powered brain health monitoring part of standard newborn screening for all infants at birth. Using AI technology, the team is developing a brain screener to screen for abnormal brain activity in newborn infants and support early interventions by a medical team. Early detection and intervention are critical for improved outcomes and quality of life.

UCC is an internationally competitive, research-led university that plays a key role in the development of Ireland’s knowledge-based economy and provides the insight and understanding on the challenges facing our society. The UCC Research and Innovation Awards embrace this excellence in research, innovation, and entrepreneurial activity, across the entire university research community and from all disciplines.

Researchers were awarded across twenty-two categories, six of which recognise specific achievements in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Professor John F. Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation at UCC said: “Congratulations to all awards recipients at this year’s UCC Research and Innovation Awards. The standard of nominations across all award categories was indicative of the exceptional level of research and innovation that takes place throughout the University. Our annual Research and Innovation Awards celebrate those who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, pushed boundaries, and raised the national and international research profile of our institution.”

The awards are sponsored by PurdyLucey, one of Ireland’s top European Intellectual Property (IP) firms working across Irish, UK, European, US and international markets, and specialising in Life Science, Food Tech, Med Tech, High-Tech and Engineering projects.

Professor Eugene Dempsey appointed Head of School

INFANT Cookie Consent