Rebecca Henry

Dr. Rebecca Henry is an Assistant Professor in Pharmacology at the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, where she joined in 2024 as a Royal Society - SFI University Research Fellow. Previously, she held a lectureship position at the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University College Cork starting in 2021.

Her educational background includes:

• B.Sc. (Hons) in Physiology from the University of Galway (2011)
• Ph.D. from the University of Galway (2015), investigating pharmacological modulation of the endocannabinoid system on TLR-induced neuroinflammation
• Postdoctoral training at the Shock Trauma and Anesthesiology Research Center (STAR), University of Maryland, Baltimore
• Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from University College Cork (2022-2023)
• Johns Hopkins/University of Maryland Baltimore Collaborative Teaching Fellowship Program (2020-2021)

Dr. Henry's research focuses on the neuroimmune interplay between obesity and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her Henry Lab investigates how pre-existing metabolic dysfunction affects TBI outcomes, with particular emphasis on:

• Therapeutic potential of anti-obesity drugs in co-morbid diet-induced obesity and TBI
• Impact of environmental factors (exercise, diet) on TBI outcomes in obese patients
• Bi-directional relationship between the brain and periphery in obesity-TBI comorbidity
• Sex differences in neuroimmune responses to TBI and implications for treatment

Analysis of her recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a strong focus on neuroinflammation mechanisms following TBI, particularly examining how obesity exacerbates TBI outcomes through altered immune responses. Her work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to clinical implications, with increasing emphasis on translational approaches to improve TBI outcomes in metabolically compromised patients.

Her notable scientific achievement includes:

• Royal Society - SFI University Research Fellowship

Dr. Henry serves as a PhD thesis supervisor and co-supervisor at University College Dublin. She has secured research funding including the SFI grant 'Investigation of the role of the GDF-15/GFRAL signalling axis in mediating neuroprotective effects in the presence of co-morbid diet-induced obesity and TBI' (2024-2027).

Her teaching philosophy emphasizes active learning strategies, small group learning, and empowering students to take ownership of their learning. She holds formal teaching qualifications from both University College Cork and the Johns Hopkins/University of Maryland Baltimore Collaborative Teaching Fellowship Program.