David Henshall

Professor David Henshall is a leading academic in neurology and molecular physiology at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). He holds the position of Professor of Molecular Physiology & Neuroscience and serves as Director of FutureNeuro, a Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre focused on neurological diseases. His research focuses on epilepsy mechanisms, neuroprotection pathways, and microRNA therapeutics. Henshall earned a BSc (First Class Honours in Pharmacology) from the University of Bristol and a PhD in Neuropharmacology from the University of Edinburgh. He has authored over 250 publications and co-authored Fine-Tuning Life: A guide to microRNAs (Cambridge University Press, 2024).

Research Interests:
- Epilepsy mechanisms and treatment development
- Role of non-coding RNAs (microRNAs) in neurological disorders
- ATP-gated ion channels as therapeutic targets
- Circulating biomarkers of seizures and epilepsy progression

Awards & Recognition:
- Member of the Royal Irish Academy (2024)
- Robert Bentley Todd Medal for Teaching and Research in Neuroscience (2014)
- Principal Investigator Award (2008, 2004)

Grants & Leadership:
- Director, FutureNeuro SFI Research Centre (2017–present)
- Coordinator, European FP7 project EpimiRNA (2013–2018)
- Chair, International League Against Epilepsy’s Neurobiology Commission

Lab & Collaborations:
- FutureNeuro integrates multidisciplinary teams across RCSI, Trinity College Dublin, and other institutions to advance translational neuroscience.
- Active collaborations in drug development, biomarker discovery, and AI-driven e-textile technologies for neurological monitoring.