Carmel Hensey

Carmel Hensey serves as Associate Professor at University College Dublin's School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, where she has held multiple leadership positions including Head of Teaching and Learning (2011-2014) and Vice-Principal for Teaching and Learning for the College of Science (2014-2019). Her academic career at UCD spans from College Lecturer (1999-2007) to her current position as Associate Professor (2007-present).

Dr. Hensey completed her foundational research training through extensive postdoctoral fellowships at Universitat Berne (1988-1991), University of Texas Health Sciences Centre (1992-1993), Roche Institute of Molecular Biology (1994-1995), and Columbia University (1995-1999). She further enhanced her pedagogical expertise with a Professional Certificate in University Teaching and Learning from UCD (2018) and a Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching and Learning (2019).

Her primary research investigates reproduction and early development using Xenopus laevis as a model system, with particular focus on identifying genes that regulate developmental competence during meiosis and early embryonic stages. Her work spans cell cycle regulation, apoptosis mechanisms, chromatin remodeling factors (especially ATRX), and progesterone signaling pathways in oocyte maturation. She has made significant contributions to understanding how DNA damage responses are integrated with developmental programs and how chromatin remodeling affects oocyte quality.

Analysis of Dr. Hensey's publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory from early work on DNA damage responses and apoptosis in Xenopus embryos to more recent investigations of oocyte quality control mechanisms across model systems. Her research demonstrates sophisticated integration of developmental biology, reproductive physiology, and molecular cell biology approaches, with particular emphasis on translational relevance to understanding developmental competence.

Dr. Hensey has supervised 8 PhD students and 4 MSc students to completion. Her teaching responsibilities include coordination of Toxicology and Professional Placement modules, and instruction in nervous system development, advanced pharmacology, and cell growth/differentiation/death processes. She has also contributed to educational scholarship through cross-disciplinary collaborations in chemical engineering education.

Her academic leadership extends to curriculum development as Project Champion for Curriculum Review and Enhancement (2015-2017) and as an Extern Examiner for National University of Ireland, Maynooth (2018-2021), demonstrating her commitment to educational excellence across multiple institutional contexts.