Find Academic Supervisors

• Neuropharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• +8 more

Professor Keith Murphy is a leading academic at University College Dublin , affiliated with the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and the Conway Institute . As head of the UCD Neurotherapeutics Research Group , he pioneers work on drug targets for neurological disorders. Professor of Neuropharmacology (2018–present) Co-Director, UCD Centre for Applied Neuroscience (2015–present) Theme Leader for Neuroscience Research (2011–present) His research spans drug addiction , schizophrenia , multiple sclerosis , and memory consolidation , utilizing animal models , in vivo gene editing , and proteomic analysis . Recent work on cocaine-induced neurodevelopmental damage and midkine's role in memory demonstrates his focus on synaptic plasticity mechanisms. Key scientific contributions include: 2006: Rafaelsen Scholarship for neuropharmacology research 2016: Discovery of REST as hypoxia-responsive repressor 2025: Groundbreaking prenatal cocaine organoid study As an educator , he coordinated modules like Advanced CNS Pharmacology and Professional Career Development , mentoring future biomedical scientists. Current grants include SFI funding (2024–2027) for GDF-15/GFRAL signaling research in neuroprotection.

• Genomics
• Antibiotic Resistance
• Breast Cancer Biology
• +5 more

Assoc Professor Peadar Ó Gaora is a faculty member at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science , University College Dublin, and affiliated with the Conway Institute . Holding a PhD from Trinity College Dublin , he has contributed extensively to microbial genomics, endocrine resistance in breast cancer, and placental transcriptomics. BA, Trinity College Dublin MSc, Imperial College London PhD, Trinity College Dublin His research spans genomic characterization of pathogens (e.g., Rhodococcus soli, Clostridium estertheticum), epigenetic regulation in cancer (SRC-1 repression mechanisms), and diet-gene interactions in diabetes via NLRP3 inflammasome studies. Methodologically, he employs hybrid sequencing approaches and transcriptomic network analysis to dissect disease mechanisms. Recent publications highlight 15 articles since 2011, with a 2024 study on the complete genome of saprophytic Rhodococcus species and 2019 work on hyperglycemia-hypoxia synergy in macrophage inflammation. His 2016 research on Clostridium estertheticum provides genomic insights into meat spoilage, while 2015 studies address endocrine-resistant breast cancer and transforming growth factor signaling . Teaching activities include coordination of modules such as Genetics Research Project and Programming for Biologists since 2017, with a focus on integrating computational methods into biomolecular education.

• Cancer Biology
• Prostate Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• +5 more

Dr. Maria Prencipe is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Ireland. She is an accomplished cancer biologist specializing in prostate and breast cancer, with a focus on mechanisms of resistance to hormone therapy. Her research integrates molecular mechanisms with translational applications, aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve patient outcomes. Education: PhD in Cancer Biology, University College Dublin Degree in Biology (major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), L’Aquila University, Italy Research Interests: Dr. Prencipe's research centers on understanding and overcoming resistance to hormone therapy in breast and prostate cancer. She investigates the role of transcription factors like the Androgen Receptor (AR) and Serum Response Factor (SRF) in driving resistance and progression. Her work combines in vitro studies with patient-derived data to validate potential therapeutic targets. Scientific Awards: EACR Young Scientist Award (2017) Irish Cancer Society Researcher of the Year (2016) St. Luke's Young Investigator Award (2014) Grants and Funding: Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Starting Investigator Research Award (SIRG) - "Targeting co-regulators of the Androgen Receptor as a novel therapeutic approach for prostate and breast cancer" (2019-2023) The Caroline Foundation Fellowship (2018) Irish Cancer Society Research Fellowship (2012-2017) Teaching and Supervision: Dr. Prencipe is actively involved in teaching and mentoring. She supervises PhD students and contributes to modules such as Genomic Instability, Clinical Biomarkers, Cancer Epigenetics, and Endocrine Diseases at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

• Neuroscience
• Epilepsy
• Neuropharmacology
• +5 more

Sean Quinlan is a Lecturer in Neuroscience at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin. His research focuses on the pathophysiology of early-life seizures and their role in epilepsy etiology, particularly examining calcium-activated potassium channels, intracellular calcium receptors, and hippocampal cellular dynamics. His work emphasizes neurotoxicity profiles of anti-seizure medications, transcriptomic alterations in the hippocampus, and the intersection of neuroinflammation with seizure pathology. Recent studies explore purinergic signaling, microRNA detection methods, and neurodevelopmental outcomes of drug interventions. Quinlan's publications span seizure suppression mechanisms (Padsevonil), comparative neurotoxicity analysis (phenobarbital vs. levetiracetam), and advanced diagnostic approaches for neonatal encephalopathy using purine nucleosides. His research integrates molecular neuroscience, pharmacology, and clinical translational models. Scientific awards include the Conway Fellow (University College Dublin, 2024) MSCA Research Fellow (2022-2024) Quinlan teaches Membrane Biology (Neur30080, 2024) and holds certifications in Bioinformatics and Data Analytics from University College Dublin.

• Signal Transduction Pathways
• Cancer Biology
• Systems Biology
• +3 more

David Gomez is an Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine, University College Dublin, and a group leader at Systems Biology Ireland. His research integrates experimental proteomics, computational modeling, and systems biology to study signal transduction in cancer, with a focus on the Hippo pathway and its interactions with oncogenic networks like RAS/RAF and AKT. Prof Cert in University Teaching & Learning, UCD His recent work explores mitochondrial dysfunction in Barrett's oesophagus progression, ALS-related proteomic changes, and kinase-independent mechanisms in drug resistance. He employs multidisciplinary approaches spanning mass spectrometry, mathematical models, and cross-species validation. Key article trends include proteomic profiling of disease models (cancer, neurodegeneration), extracellular vesicle dynamics, and systems-level analysis of signaling crosstalk. His studies frequently involve pathway reconstruction and identification of therapeutic vulnerabilities. Gomez coordinates modules like Cell-Cell Signalling and Molecules in Medicine , and has served as a peer reviewer for journals including Nature Communications and Cancer Research . He leads a research team at Systems Biology Ireland and has secured grants such as the UCD Equip Scheme.

• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Functional Data Analysis
• +5 more

Autumn O’Donnell is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics, focusing on functional data analysis for cardiac output prediction in a project led by Dr. Andrew Simpkin. PhD in Transcriptomics and Machine Learning for Prostate Cancer Recurrence Prediction at University College Cork MSc in Data Science and Analytics from University College Cork (2021) BEng in Biomedical Engineering from Munster Technological University (formerly Cork Institute of Technology) PGCert in Perfusion Science from University of Bristol Her research bridges Data Science , Machine Learning , and Biomedical Engineering , targeting applications in Cardiovascular Medicine and Cancer Research . She specializes in integrating computational methodologies with clinical data analysis.