UCD Health Affairs AHSS Grant 2024/2025 awarded to Four Projects Across UCD CHAS and associated Healthcare Partners
The UCD Health Affairs Academic Health Science System (AHSS) Grant aims to strengthen the partnership between University College Dublin’s healthcare affiliates and the UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences (CHAS). This collaborative initiative supports innovative, interdisciplinary projects that drive meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery, education, and research.
In the latest grant cycle, we were delighted to receive 22 outstanding submissions—each displaying creative and collaborative partnerships between UCD and its clinical partners. After a competitive review process, four exceptional projects were selected for funding.
We extend our warmest congratulations to the project leads and their teams on the following four projects:
1. Glaucoma Medication Adherence Improvement through Education
This project brings together a team from the UCD School of Medicine, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital. It aims to systematically identify modifiable predictors and barriers influencing glaucoma medication adherence which can be used to inform the choice of an educational intervention shaped to the Irish healthcare setting.
Project Lead:
Dr Deborah Wallace - UCD School of Medicine
Project Team:
Prof Colm O’Brien - Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Mr Rory Murphy - Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital / Mater Private Hospital
Mr Jeremy O’Connor - Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital
Pauline Goulding - Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Chríosa O’Connor - Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
2. Inflammatory Biomarkers and Vascular Recurrence after Stroke: the European Blood Inflammatory markers in Stroke Collaboration
This project looks to work toward the development of an international stroke biomarker consortium (BIOSTROKE). This Consortium will leverage existing biobank resources to enhance biomarker discovery, validation, and clinical translation. EuroBISC will be a flagship project for BIOSTROKE. Dr McCabe has been commissioned by the Lancet Neurology to draft a position paper on the goals of BIOSTROKE.
Project Leads:
Dr John McCabe - Misericordiae University Hospital/ UCD School of Medicine
Professor Peter Kelly MD - Misericordiae University Hospital/ UCD School of Medicine
Internal Project Team:
Professor Orina Belton - UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Conway Institute
Professor Jonathan McNulty - UCD School of Medicine
Dr. Graham Lee - Misericordiae University Hospital/ UCD School of Medicine
Professor Michael Marnane - Misericordiae University Hospital/ UCD School of Medicine
*Multiple external national and international collaborators on this project.
3. Enhancing Psychosexual Care for Spinal Injuries (EPiC-SI)
This project seeks to co-develop a standardised assessment and care planning tool to address psychosexual needs in individuals with spinal injuries across acute, rehabilitation and ongoing care settings. It will empower healthcare professionals to deliver holistic care, enhance patient wellbeing, and improve overall quality of life. Addressing this gap has potential to transform outcomes for individuals and reduce long-term healthcare burdens.
Project Lead:
Dr John P Gilmore - UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems
Project Team:
Dr Sean Kearns - UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems
Rea Amadora - National Rehabilitation Hospital
Komathi Narasimhan - National Rehabilitation Hospital
Florence Anderson - National Rehabilitation Hospital
Merlin Thulasi - Mater Misericordia University Hospital
Ted Albano Mater - Misericordia University Hospital
Geraldine Jordan - Mater Misericordia University Hospital
David Field - HSE Community Healthcare Dublin South East
Evelyn Egan - HSE Community Healthcare Dublin South East
Claire Naughton - HSE Community Healthcare Dublin South East
Bairbre O’Sullivan - Spinal Injuries Ireland (PPI)
Dr Sarah Sinnamon - UCD School of Psychology
Tope Omisore - UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems
4. Gender-Affirming Genital Surgery Outcomes
This study will establish a longitudinal database, conduct a retrospective review, and explore patient experiences to generate evidence-based insights, improve post-surgical care, and inform future clinical training and service planning in Ireland.
Project Leads:
Dr Sean Kearns - UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems
Project Team:
Prof Donal O‘Shea - UCD School of Medicine/ St Vincent’s Hospital/ St
Columcille’s Hospital
Dr. Karl Neff - HSE / UCD School of Medicine
Dr Andrew Darley - UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems
Dr. Laura Blowick - St John of Gods
Pauline Forrester - St Columcille’s Hospital
Mairead Brady - St John of Gods
Niall Kirrane - St Columcille’s Hospital