School of Medicine Continues to Strengthen Links with University of Michigan

Oct 18, 2011

Representatives from the University of Michigan’s Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology and the Department of Pharmacology recently visited Trinity’s School of Medicine, further developing the academic collaboration between the two institutions.  The visit builds on an academic collaboration agreement signed between the two institutions in 2009 which was set up to develop their respective academic strengths and research strategies.

Led by the University of Michigan’s Chair of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Professor Bishr Omary, the delegation consisted of seven faculty and three postgraduate students. The highlight of the visit was a joint Postgraduate Research Symposium which provided a forum for Trinity and Michigan researchers to discover the breadth and depth of research in both institutions.

School of Medicine and University of Michigan representatives at Trinity College Dublin.

Remarking on the Postgraduate Research Symposium, Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning at Trinity’s School of Medicine Dr John Gormley said: “We were very pleased with the oral and poster presentations which spanned Neuroscience, Molecular and Clinical Sciences, Population Health and Physical Medicine.  The guest lectures by Professors Geoffrey Murphy on The Role of L-Type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels in Neuronal function and Cognition and Professor Jessica Schwartz  on the Hormonal regulation of gene transcription provided an excellent insight into the ongoing research at the University of Michigan.”  Other highlights included discussions and presentations by University of Michigan representatives relating to research at Trinity’s School of Medicine, the Innovation Academy and US Ireland funding.

In 2010 a delegation from Trinity visited the University of Michigan and a key outcome of that visit and this year’s reciprocal visit to Trinity College Dublin has been the identification of potential areas for collaboration and future joint research ventures.  Head of the Department of Physiology at Trinity, Dr Aine Kelly said: “This collaboration with the University of Michigan presents excellent opportunities for students. Indeed, we expect the first postgraduate student exchanges to commence as early as 2012.”

Head of the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin and Vice Provost for Medical Affairs Professor Dermot Kelleher continued: “We are delighted that there has been such a strong engagement between our two schools, both of which have a strong emphasis on the discipline of physiology and its integrative relationship with modern medicine. This relationship will clearly benefit researchers from both our schools and will provide substantial opportunities for post-graduate student exchange.

University of Michigan’s Professor Omary concluded: “Our trip to Trinity College Dublin, the discussions we held and the initial funding we collectively have been able to secure, coupled with the warm welcome we received from our gracious hosts, leave no doubt that we will be able to establish genuine, productive and long-lasting collaborations and friendships.”

Anyone wishing to obtain more information on the collaboration between Trinity College Dublin and the University of Michigan should email Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning at the School of Medicine, Dr John Gormley: jgormley@tcd.ie.