Breandán Kennedy

Professor Breandán Kennedy is a Full Professor of Pharmacology at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin (UCD), and a Conway Institute Fellow. He has been a UCD Professor since 2017, previously serving as Head of Pharmacology from 2011-2015 and as Senior Lecturer from 2007-2017. Kennedy directs the Ocular Pharmacology & Genetics Research Group and the UCD Zebrafish Facility, and has coordinated multiple major research consortia including the H2020 RISE CRYSTAL3 and 3D-NeoNET projects.

Professor Kennedy's research focuses on reversing blindness using zebrafish models. His work investigates the genes and proteins that control vision, with particular emphasis on inherited retinal diseases. He studies conditions such as cone-rod dystrophy and uveal melanoma, seeking to develop both genetic and pharmacological treatments. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding the role of genes like RAB28 in inherited blindness and has developed novel drug candidates like the quininib series for ocular diseases.

Analysis of Professor Kennedy's recent publications reveals a strong focus on using zebrafish as an in vivo model system for studying retinal biology and disease. His work spans multiple areas including drug discovery for retinal degeneration, mechanisms of inherited blindness, cancer research related to uveal melanoma, and the development of novel drug delivery systems. A notable trend is the translational approach of his research, moving from basic discovery to potential therapeutic applications.

• SFI Research Image of the Year (2023)
• Marie Curie Fellowship (2016)
• Appointed to European Science Foundation's College of Expert Reviewers (2020)
• Invited to Editorial Board of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2020)
• British Pharmacological Society Schachter Award (awarded to his student J. O'Brien, 2021)
• Multiple student awards including ARVO awards and WEAVR Travel Grants

Professor Kennedy has supervised numerous PhD and Master's students, with several receiving prestigious awards for their research. He has secured significant grant funding for his research, including multiple Horizon Europe and Health Research Board projects. His leadership extends to coordinating large international research consortia and directing the UCD Zebrafish Facility, which serves as a critical resource for multiple research groups. Professor Kennedy is also actively involved in public engagement, having organized Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) meetings and created public awareness materials about conditions like uveal melanoma.

Professor Kennedy leads research teams working in the Conway Institute, focusing on zebrafish models of human disease. His laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of inherited retinal degeneration and develops therapeutic approaches to restore vision. The team utilizes advanced techniques including genetic manipulation, drug screening, and detailed phenotypic analysis in zebrafish models.