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Dr. Jo-Hanna Ivers
Associate Professor, Public Health & Primary Care

Biography

Jo-Hanna is an Associate Professor in Addiction. She holds the only addiction specific academic post in Ireland. She is the first Associate Dean of Civic Engagement and Social Innovation at Trinity College Dublin. Jo-Hanna leads the Neurobehavioural Addiction Research Group at the Department of Public Health & Primary Care, School of Medicine. She is the Director of the M.Sc. in Addiction Recovery. She has been appointed by a number of Ministers and Government Representatives to Special Taskforces and Expert Review Groups examining drug and alcohol use. She is a Member of the European Monitoring Centre on Drug and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) Scientific Committee.

Jo-Hanna's research focuses on the biological, social and environmental factors that contribute to an individual's vulnerability to dependence and addiction. Her research includes interventions, policies and practices that help develop recovery pathways. These pathways are best understood as a spectrum and include harm reduction, abstinence and long-term recovery. Her populations of interest include people who use drugs, those experiencing addiction, individuals in recovery, their families, communities affected by drug use and wider members of society. Before returning to academia, Jo-Hanna gained extensive experience working with adolescent and adult populations in specialist addiction services.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Neil Dunne, Jo-Hanna Ivers,, HPA axis function in alcohol use disorder: A systematic review and metaanalysis, Addiction Neuroscience, Volume 8, (100114), 2023, p1-9 Journal Article, 2023

Giulini, F. and Keenan, E. and Killeen, N. and Ivers, J.-H., A Systematized Review of Drug-checking and Related Considerations for Implementation as A Harm Reduction Intervention, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2022 Journal Article, 2022 DOI

Darker CD, Moore E, Flynn E, O'Neill M, Doherty L, McMahon J, McLoughlin O, Rouine E, Ivers J, Allwright S, McGrath D, Seery A, McAndrew M, Barrett E, Tanner M, Bennett AE, Brennan S, Mullin M, Barry JM., Development and proposed evaluation of an eHealth learning tool for undergraduate university students in Ireland, Health Promotion International, 2022, p1 - 14 Journal Article, 2022 DOI URL

Michael Byrne, Samantha Dick, Lisa Ryan, Samantha Dockray, Martin Davoren, Ciara Heavin, Jo-Hanna Ivers, Conor Linehan, Vasilis Vasiliou, The Drug Use in Higher Education in Ireland (DUHEI) Survey 2021: Main Findings, Cork, University College Cork, January , 2022, p1 - 110 Report, 2022

Corey, J. and Lyons, J. and O†carroll, A. and Stafford, R. and Ivers, J.-H., A Scoping Review of the Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Persons Experiencing Homelessness in North America and Europe, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, (6), 2022 Journal Article, 2022 DOI

Maeve Haran, John R. Kelly, Liam Kennedy, Kieran Hennigan, Huma Farid, Cristina Herteu, Anna Kreisel, Shamus Salehin, Marie O' Sullivan, Shay Keating, Jo-Hanna Ivers & Mike Scully , An audit of the cervical screening programme in the National Drug Treatment Centre (NDTC), Irish Journal of Medical Science , 2021 Journal Article, 2021 TARA - Full Text

Jo-Hanna Ivers, Nicki Kileen, and Eamon Keenan, 'Whats in the Pill': a survey of drug use and related behaviours amongst festival goers in Ireland , Irish Journal of Medical Science , 2021 Journal Article, 2021

Darker CD, Mullin M, Doyle L, Tanner M, McGrath D, Doherty L, Dreyer-Gibney K, Barrett EM, Flynn D, Murphy P, Ivers JH, Burke E, Ryan M, McCarron M, Murphy P, Sheils O, Hevey D, Leen A, Keogh L, Walls B, Bennett AE, Petersen F, Nolan A, Barry JM., Developing a health promoting university in Trinity College Dublin-overview and outline process evaluation, Health Promotion International, 38, (4), 2021, p1 - 14, p1-14 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Jo-Hanna Ivers, Eamon Keenan, Nicki Kileen, Francesca Giulini and Eamon Keenan, A Review of Drug Checking And Related Considerations For Implementation In Ireland, Drug and Alcohol Review , 2021 Journal Article, 2021

Catherine D Darker, Emma Moore, Ellen Flynn, Mary O'Neill, Lena Doherty, Jean McMahon, Orla McLoughlin, Eimear Rouine, Jo-Hanna Ivers, Shane Allwright, David McGrath, Aidan Seery, Martin McAndrew, Emer Barrett, Michelle Tanner, Annemarie E Bennett, Sabina Brennan, Martina Mullin, Joe M Barry , Development and proposed evaluation of an eHealth learning tool for undergraduate university students in Ireland, Health Promotion International , 2021 Journal Article, 2021

McAleer, A. and Daly, A. and Leary, S. and Barry, J. and Mullin, M. and Ivers, J.-H., A peer-led survey of student alcohol Behaviours and motives in undergraduate students, Irish Journal of Medical Science, 190, (4), 2021, p1429-1433 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

David Best & Jo-Hanna Ivers , Inkspots and ice cream cones: a model of recovery contagion and growth, Addiction Research & Theory, 2021 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Aoibheann Conneely, Jo-Hanna Ivers, Joe Barry, Elaine Dunne, Norma O'Leary Clíona Ní Cheallaigh, Estimation of palliative care needs of people experiencing homelessness using mortality data and cause-of-death., Palliative Care Medicine , 2021, pSPCARE 2021;11(Suppl 1):A1-A63 Journal Article, 2021

Jo-Hanna Ivers, Nicki Killeen, Eamon Keenan, Drug use, harm‑reduction practices and attitudes toward the utilisation of drug safety testing services in an Irish cohort of festival‑goers, Irish Journal of Medical Science, 2021 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Ms.Anna McAleer, Ms. Aisling Daly, Ms. Sorcha Leary, Prof Joe Barry, Ms. Martina Mullin), Prof Jo-Hanna Ivers, A Peer-Led Survey of Student Alcohol Behaviours and Attitudes in Undergraduate Students., Irish Journal Medical Science , 2020 Journal Article, 2020 TARA - Full Text

Jo-Hanna Ivers, Nicki Kileen and Eamon Keenan , 'Whats in the Pill: A SURVEY OF DRUG USE AND RELATED BEHAVIOURS AMONGST FESTIVAL GOERS IN IRELAND , Dublin , 2020, p1 - 45 Report, 2020

Dr Jo-Hanna Ivers (PhD), Anita Harris (M.Sc.), Pauline McKeown (M.Sc.), & Professor Joe Barry (MD), Mothers experiences of the Parenting Under Pressure Program in a Residential Therapeutic Community: A qualitative study , Journal of Psychoactive Drugs , 2020 Journal Article, 2020

Ivers, J and Barry J, Evaluation of Tabor Group, Cork, Tabor Group, 2019, p1 - 60 Report, 2019

Jo-Hanna Ivers , An exploratory study of Cannabis users receiving treatment in adolescent services and siblings of Cannabis users who never used cannabis, Lisbon Addictions , Lisbon, 23-25 October 2019 , 2019 Poster, 2019

Jo-Hanna Ivers, Lina Zgaga, Bernie O'Donoghue-Hynes, Aisling Heary, Brian Gallwey, Joe Barry, Five-year standardised mortality ratios in a cohort of homeless people in Dublin, BMJ Open, 9, (1), 2019 Journal Article, 2019

Jo-Hanna Ivers1, Lina Zgaga1, Bernie O'Donoghue-Hynes2, Aisling Heary1, Brian Gallwey2, Joe Barry1, Standardized Mortality Ratios in Homeless Populations in Dublin, BMJ Open , 9, 2019 Journal Article, 2019 TARA - Full Text

Jo‐Hanna Ivers Jacqueline Fitzgerald Christopher Whelan Brion Sweeney Eamon Keenan Andrew Fagan Jason McMarrow Jim Meany Joe Barry Thomas Frodl , Progressive white matter impairment as a predictor of outcome in a cohort of opioid‐dependent patient's post‐detoxification Special Issue, Addiction Biology , Volume23, Issue1, 2018, p304 - 312 Journal Article, 2018 URL

Ivers JH & Barry, J (2018). , An Evaluation of a Case-management Framework in Cork and Kerry Region., Health Service Executive, 2018, p1 - 70 Report, 2018

Ivers JH, Larkan F, Barry J., A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis of the Lived Experience of the Recovery Process in Opioid-Dependent Patients Post-Detoxification., Journal of psychoactive drugs, 50, (3), 2018, p231-239 Journal Article, 2018 DOI

Ivers, JH, Larkan, F & Barry, J , A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis of the Recovery Process in Opioid-dependent patients Post-detoxification., . Journal of Psychoactive Drugs , Vol 50, (3), 2018, p231 - 239 Journal Article, 2018

Ivers JH, Zgaga L, Sweeney B, Keenan E, Darker C, Smyth BP, Barry J., A naturalistic longitudinal analysis of post-detoxification outcomes in opioid-dependent patients., Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, (S1), 2018, p339 - 347 Journal Article, 2018 DOI TARA - Full Text

Ivers JH & Barry, J, Standardised Mortality Ratios in Homeless Populations in Dublin. , Dublin, Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and Health Service Executive. Dublin., 2018, p1 - 90 Report, 2018 TARA - Full Text

Jo-Hanna Ivers , Prospective Pilot Study of Neuropsychological functioning in Opioid Dependent Patients, Neuroscience of Ireland Symposium , University College Dublin, 25th October 2018 , 2018 Oral Presentation, 2018 URL

Jo-Hanna Ivers, Joe Barry, Evaluation of the Parenting Under Pressure (PuP) Programme at Coolmine , Coolmine Therapeutic Community , 2018, p1 - 50 Report, 2018 TARA - Full Text

Jo-Hanna Ivers , Drug Related Deaths and Homelessness: Dr Jo-Hanna Ivers, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dept of Public Health & Primary Care, Trinity College Dublin & Dr Kieran Harkin GP, Irish Street Medicine Symposium 2017, Dublin , 2017 Oral Presentation, 2017

Jo-Hanna Ivers , Therapeutic Communities as a unique approach to treatment:the Irish perspective, European Federation of Therapeutic Communities , Dublin Castle , September, 2017, EFTC Invited Talk, 2017 URL

Jo-Hanna Ivers , Successful application of a cross-sectoral integrated care approach to addiction and homeless services: the experience from southern Ireland. , Lisbon Addiction: , Lisbon, October 2017, EMCDDA, 2017 Oral Presentation, 2017 URL

Ivers JH, Fitzgerald J, Whelan C, Sweeney B, Keenan E, Fagan AJ, Progressive white matter impairment as a predictor of outcome in a cohort of opioid-dependent patient's post-detoxification, Addiction Biology, 2016 Journal Article, 2016 DOI

Jo-Hanna Ivers , Mortality Amongst the Homeless , Irish Street Medicine Symposium 2016, Cork, 2016 Oral Presentation, 2016

Jo-Hanna Ivers , White Matter Integrity in Opioid Dependent Patients , The 2016 Young Neuroscience Symposium , Trinity College Dublin , September 1st, 2016 , 2016 Poster, 2016 URL

Ivers, J & Ducray, K, "A Case Study of Adolescent Substance Misuse: A Successful Application of the Adolescent Community Reinforcement (A-CRA) approach in an Irish context"., 2014 Case Study, 2014

Gilroy D, O'Brien S, Barry J, Ivers Jo-Hanna, Whiston L, Keenan E, Darker C, Benzodiazepine use in a methadone maintained opioid dependent cohort in Ireland, Heroin Addiction and related clinical problems, 2014, p17 - 22 Journal Article, 2014

Barry, J & Ivers J,H, Evaluation of the National Drug Rehabilitation Framework, Dublin, Health Service Executive, Dublin, 2013, p1 - 125 Report, 2013

Darker, C., Ivers, J., O'Farrell, A., Dolan, R., Eldin, N., & Allwright, A qualitative study of the perceived impact of a community mobilization intervention to reduce alcohol consumption amongst amatuer sportsmen, Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Cambridge University Press., 30, (1), 2013, p57-66 Journal Article, 2013

Darker, C., Sweeney, BS, El Hassan, H., Smyth, B., Ivers, JH, & Barry, J. , Brief interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in opiate dependent methadone maintained patients are effective: results from an implementation study. , Drug and Alcohol Review., 31, ((3)), 2012, p348-56. Journal Article, 2012

Darker CD, Sweeney BP, El Hassan HO, Smyth BP, Ivers JH, Barry JM, Brief interventions are effective in reducing alcohol consumption in opiate-dependent methadone-maintained patients: Results from an implementation study., Drug and alcohol review, 2011 Journal Article, 2011 URL DOI

J.Ivers, & P.Downes, A phenomenological reinterpretation of Horner's fear of success in terms of social class., European Journal of Educational Psychology, 27, ((3)), 2011, p369-388 Journal Article, 2011

Jo-Hanna Ivers, Catherine Darker, Brion Sweeney, Haytham El Hassan, Bobby Smyth, Joe Barry, Association between poly-drug use and alcohol consumption in an Irish cohort of methadone maintained patients, 7th Conference of INEBRIA, 9th and 10th September 2010, Gothenburg (Sweden), Gothenburg, 2010, pp19- Oral Presentation, 2010

The jolt between primary and post primary. in, Beyond Educational Disadvantage. , P.Downes, & A.L. Gilligan, Dublin, 2007, pp22 - 31, [P.Downes, C.Maunsell & J. Ivers ] Book Chapter, 2007

Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications

Jo-Hanna Ivers , 'Faces of Recovery ', Cork City Hall , Trinity College Dublin, 2019, - Exhibition, 2019

Jo-Hanna Ivers , 'Faces of Recovery ', Trinity College Dublin , Science Gallery Dublin, 2018, - Visual art production, 2018

O'Dowd, T, Handy, D & Ivers, JH (2017), A Future Together: Building a Better GP and Primary Care Service. Health Service, Dublin, Health Service Executive , 2018 Report, 2018

Jo-Hanna Ivers , Findings of Casement Evaluation for Person with Complex Needs , Cork Regional Case-Management Seminar , City Hall, Cork, 22nd February 2018 , 2018 Oral Presentation, 2018

Ivers, JH & Hayes, C , Findings of the We Can Quit Programme. A smoking cessation programme for women in socially disadvantaged communities, Dublin , Irish Cancer Society. Dublin, 2017 Report, 2017

Jo-Hanna Ivers , Action Research Amongst Recovery Coaches in the North Inner-City , National Recovery Conference 2016, City Hall, Dublin , 2016 Oral Presentation, 2016

J.Ivers, V.McLoughlin & P.Downes, Current Steps and Future Horizons for CASPr: Review of CASPr North-East Inner City After Schools Project., Dublin, CASPr, 2010 Report, 2010

P.Downes, C.Maunsell & J. Ivers , A holistic approach to early school leaving and school retention in Blanchardstown: Current issues and future steps for services and schools. , Dublin, Commissioned Research Report for Blanchardstown Area Partnership, Dublin., 2006 Report, 2006

Research Expertise

Projects

  • Title
    • Non-Fatal Overdose
  • Summary
    • Non-fatal opioid overdose is a significant cause of opioid-related morbidity globally. As the number of non-fatal overdoses continues to grow, and it is crucial to understand the short and long-term consequences. There is a dearth of literature on non-fatal overdose in Ireland, with no published studies exploring the experiences of persons who use drugs and who experienced a non-fatal overdose. Timely data can help enhance coordination among service providers, community members, healthcare providers, public health, law enforcement, and government agencies. Timely, robust data can enable readiness for increasing change and response to overdose. For example, evidence suggests individuals who have had at least one overdose are more likely to have another. However, if an individual who has had an overdose is seen in the ED, there is an opportunity to intervene and prevent further overdose by individual care that can improve their health outcomes. The current study will use a mixed methods approach to examine data and capture the experiences of relevant stakeholders for the last decade.
  • Funding Agency
    • North East Innercity Programme
  • Title
    • A proposed plan to develop a strategy on reducing drug-related stigma in Ireland
  • Summary
    • Stigma can affect self-esteem, physical and psychological health, and relationships with others, directly affecting an individual accessing the necessary support services and resources. The social disadvantage and stress people experience can lead to inequalities and impact health and life expectancy.1 The hidden element of those living with active drug use disorders due to the stigma associated with their condition means the wider public has no opportunity to hear from them and no opportunity to reflect on their prejudices, such as the opinion that addiction is a moral failing or a form of deviance. Research has consistently shown that interacting with members of a stigmatised group and listening to their stories has a profound destigmatising effect on listeners. It is far more powerful than merely educating the public about the science underlying a condition. However, while a growing number of people in recovery are sharing their stories, there is still a significant stigma attached to illicit drug use. Thus, speaking openly about a history of drug use carries a fear of public stigma and, in some instances, the threat of legal retribution. An effective public health response to substance use and substance use disorders must consider the policy landscape of criminalising substance use, which constitutes a primary socially sanctioned form of stigma. In addition, there is a pressing need to develop the research on the outcomes associated with alternative policy models that prioritise treatment over punishment, such as health diversion programmes, that reframe drug use as a health need rather than a criminal act. The current study aims and objectives set out in the tender call, namely, to develop a strategy for reducing drug-related stigma.
  • Funding Agency
    • National Office of Social Inclusion
  • Title
    • An analysis of treatment patterns and trends in opioid use, with a particular emphasis on the older population, from 2015-2021.
  • Summary
    • Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is characterised by a loss of control over the use of opioids, resulting in physical, psychological, and social harm. Examples of opioids include heroin, morphine, codeine, fentanyl, and oxycodone. The misuse of prescription and illegally obtained opioids are major public health issues and are associated with significant mortality and morbidity (WHO, 2009). Across Europe, it is estimated that there are 1.3 million people with high-risk opioid use, with opioids being found in up to three-quarters of overdoses. In Ireland, it has been estimated that in 2019 there were 19,875 problematic opioid users. In addition, opioids are the main drug group implemented in poisoning deaths, with more people treated for opioids than any other drug. As opioid users age, they also experience co-morbid health problems requiring treatment.
  • Funding Agency
    • National Office of Social Inclusion
  • Title
    • A single supplier framework agreement for Secondary data analysis of GUI datasets for an alcohol and other drugs study under a three-year agreement to the HRB
  • Summary
    • To advance the evidence in the area of youth substance use, we plan to combine measures of multiple risk factors into a cumulative measure of substance use vulnerability that could be used to identify specific thresholds or unique combinations of risk factors (e.g., substance use risk profiles) associated with substance use initiation and associated harms.
  • Funding Agency
    • Health Research Board
  • Date From
    • 02/2022
  • Date To
    • 02/2024
  • Title
    • INCLUDE: Integrating National Repositories for the Cooperation Linkage and Understanding of a Data Driven approach to the needs of Excluded people
  • Summary
    • The research will develop and validate an accessible integrated longitudinal national-level database of health and social care utilisation with a derived variable to identify those who are socially excluded.
  • Funding Agency
    • Health Research Board
  • Title
    • Pilot Project of a Court based Health Diversion Programme
  • Summary
    • This project is the first evaluation a court based health diversion programme for people with problematic drug and alcohol use facing a prosecution. The Health Diversion Programme, which allows for those found with small quantities of drugs to be directed to the health service instead of being prosecuted.
  • Funding Agency
    • Health Service Executive
  • Date From
    • 01/2022
  • Date To
    • 10/2022
  • Title
    • Developing a sustained method of health care for individuals experiencing homelessness, who use drugs: informed by lessons learned and lived experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Summary
    • During the COVID-19 pandemic in Dublin, homeless people were identified as a particularly vulnerable group due to their morbidity profile, living conditions and drug use behaviour. A vital component of the health services' strategy to protect homeless people from COVID-19 involved the expansion of harm reduction practices that resulted in improved access to healthcare. The project aims to develop a sustained and improved way of providing healthcare by defining and evaluating the policies and practices that were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimise the risk of infection in homeless patients who use drugs. The study design incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methods. Mixed methods research capitalises on the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies by combining approaches in a single research study to increase the breadth and depth of understanding. The mixed-methods design is well suited to health service research because it enables the research team to simultaneously evaluate the extent to which targeted outcomes are achieved, while also examining the processes by which these outcomes occur as well as the context. The study consists of 5 distinct work packages that will collectively result in a protocol for sustained and improved ways of delivering healthcare to homeless individuals who use drugs. Both separate and integrated use of qualitative and quantitative approaches for data collection and analysis to address the research objectives will be employed. Knowing the practices that were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential. However, systematically reviewing how these policies were implemented from the lived experience of those involved is imperative to building a sustained model of health care
  • Funding Agency
    • Health Service Executive
  • Title
    • Development, Implementation & Evaluation Of A Basic Peer-Led Addiction Recovery Coach Programme For Individuals With Complex Needs
  • Summary
    • This project will use a two-phased approach (figure 1) to assist in the development, delivery, evaluation and implementation of a Peer-Led Addiction Recovery Model for Individuals with Complex Needs. This phased approach will identify process and outcome measures, which are essential for the successful implementation of this Peer-Led Addiction Recovery Model for Individuals with Complex Needs in an Irish context.
  • Funding Agency
    • Health Service Executive
  • Date From
    • 01/01/2021
  • Date To
    • 01/01/2022
  • Title
    • Neurocognitive Functioning Opioid Dependent Patients
  • Summary
    • This project examines neurocognitive functioning in opioid dependent patients. Data is being collected in Ireland, Bulgaria, Pakistan and the United States (Virginia) using a crossover battery of instruments. The data includes persons across the recovery spectrum, from detoxification through to long-term recovery (10 years+). The data is unique globally.
  • Funding Agency
    • TCD
  • Date From
    • July 2019
  • Date To
    • Ongoing
  • Title
    • Supporting Women to Access Appropriate Treatment Services (SWAAT)
  • Summary
    • Exploration of barriers to addiction treatment in disadvantaged communities
  • Funding Agency
    • Genio Reform Funding
  • Date From
    • March 2020
  • Date To
    • August 2020
  • Title
    • A case-management approach for high and very high-frequency attendees to the Emergency Departments in Cork.
  • Summary
    • The Service Reform Fund (SRF) has been established to support the implementation of reforms in Disability, Mental Health and Homelessness in Ireland. The Homelessness programme is being implemented through an integrated approach by the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government; Local Authorities; the Department of Health; and the HSE. This is in line with the 'Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness' (Department of Housing, 2016). Dr Ivers was a co-applicant for: A case-management approach for high and very high-frequency attendees to the Emergency. Departments in Cork.
  • Funding Agency
    • Government of Ireland
  • Date From
    • September 2018
  • Date To
    • September 2020
  • Title
    • Evaluation of Parents Under Pressure Programme
  • Summary
    • The PuP programme aims to improve family functioning and child outcomes by supporting parents who are, or have been, drug or alcohol dependent. Evaluations of the PuP have been carried out in other countries but never in Ireland. In addition, this is the first evaluation anywhere of the PuP programme in a residential setting.
  • Funding Agency
    • Coolmine Therapeutic Community
  • Date From
    • September 2017
  • Date To
    • March 2018
  • Title
    • Evaluation of Tabor Group
  • Funding Agency
    • Health Service Executive
  • Date From
    • September 2017
  • Date To
    • March 2018
  • Title
    • Mortality Amongst the Homeless 2005-2015 Dublin
  • Summary
    • Development of National Index Mortality Amongst Homeless.
  • Funding Agency
    • Health Service Executive & Dublin Regional Homeless Executive
  • Date From
    • August 2015
  • Date To
    • June 2016
  • Title
    • Evaluation of Implementation of National Drug Rehabilitation Framework.
  • Summary
    • Evaluation of Implementation of National Drug Rehabilitation Framework. Funder: Health Service Executive.
  • Funding Agency
    • Health Service Executive
  • Date From
    • September 2013
  • Date To
    • September 2014
  • Title
    • The therapeutic potential of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of opioid addiction
  • Summary
    • Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, which is an FDA-approved as a treatment for major depressive disorder. There is an emerging body of evidence examining the effectiveness of rTMS for substance addiction, and while in its infancy, research on this topic has had significant effects. To date, there has been limited work examining the effect of TMS with Opioid Dependent Patients.
  • Funding Agency
    • Wellcome Trust
  • Title
    • Evaluation of Implementation of National Drug Rehabilitation Framework in the Cork and Kerry region.
  • Summary
  • Funding Agency
    • Health Service Executive
  • Date From
    • September 2016
  • Date To
    • March 2017
  • Title
    • Neuopsychological functioning in opioid dependant patients
  • Summary
    • The aim of the current study is to compare cognitive function in Opioid Dependent Patients (ODP) receiving OST (Opioid Substitute Therapy) with Opioid Dependent Patients (ODP) with long-term abstinence who are not receiving (Opioid Substitute Therapy).
  • Funding Agency
    • Health Research Board

Keywords

Addiction; Homelessness; Recovery

Recognition

Representations

Addiction Expert: Advisory Support Group Citizens Assembly Drugs. Invited member of the scientific advisory support group. I supported the Chair and Secretariat in constructing a fair, balanced and comprehensive work programme. I offered support advice and scientific evidence to the assembly members on population-based drug use, addiction and recovery. April 2023 to September 2023

Judge BT Young Scientist Exhibition 2022

Expert Member Review Committee Science Fondation Ireland, Creating Our Future, National Campaign 2021

Irish University Association Campus Engage. Irish Universities Association, Campus Engage is dedicated to supporting Irish higher education institutions to embed, scale and promote civic and community engagement across staff and student teaching, learning and research. 2021

Member of European Monitoring Committee on Drug and Drug Addiction (Reserve 2019-2021) December 2019

Chair of Trinity Campus Engagement Group 2021

Full Committee Member and Chair of Addiction Group: Healthy Trinity Committee (ongoing)  September 2019

Invited Member of Emerging Drug Trends and Drug Checking Working Group (National Committee - Department of Health). September 2019

Provost Appointed:  Member Trinity College Dublin Misuse of Drug Policy Group (Ongoing)  February 2020

January 2016-January 2017 Member of the advisory group for the National Drug Strategy's Continuum of Care group. An expert review group for development of the National Drug Strategy 2016. 2016

September 2015- Present Founding Member of the Recovery Academy of Ireland - A national committee of service users, services providers, policymakers and academics developing the addiction recovery movement. 2015

Appointed by the Minister for Higher Education. Ministerial Rapid Response Group for SubstanceUse in Higher Education (August 2019-February 2020) September

Awards and Honours

Associate Dean of Civic Engagement & Social Innovation September 2021

(Institutional) Nominated (Trinity Office of Dean of Students) the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) Stanford University, California, United States of America. Community, Outcomes and Impact Award. 2021

(Peer) Nominated Trinity College Dublin, Engagement Awards, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland 2021

Faculty of Health Sciences Dean's Award for Innovation in Teaching, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. May 2019

Nominated 'Rising Star Award' American Psychological Association, United States of America. September 2019

Finalist (1/3) for Early Career Award, Neuroscience Ireland. October 2018

Finalist (1/2) European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon Portugal. 2017 Scientific Paper Award. A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis of the Recovery Process in Opioid-dependent patients Post-detoxification. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. October 2018

Shortlisted for the Integrated Care Academy© International Integrated Care Award as part of the 18th International Conference on Integrated Care. A cross-sectorial integrated care approach to addiction services, homeless services and prison services - the experience from Southern Ireland. May 2018

Finalist (1/5) European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon Portugal. 2016 Scientific Paper Award. Progressive white matter impairment as a predictor of outcome in a cohort of opioid-dependent patient's post-detoxification. Addiction Biology. May 2017

Fellowship Martino's Neuroimaging Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston Massachusetts, United States of America. May 2013

Appointed Research Fellow Representative on the Faculty Executive Committee, Trinity College Dublin June 2018

Best Poster Prize, Progressive white matter impairment as a predictor of outcome in a cohort of opioid-dependent patient's post-detoxification. Neuroscience Ireland Annual Conference. Ireland. May 2016

Senior Research Fellowship at the Combat Poverty Agency. 2007- 2008

Postgraduate Research Fellowship (3 months) at the Combat Poverty Agency, Dublin Ireland. 2007-2008

Memberships

Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. 2014 – Present

Chartered Scientist Science Council UK. 2016 – Present

Chartered member of the British Psychological Society. 2011 – Present

Member American Association for Psychological Science. 2018 – Present

Specialist Interest Networks Clinical Psychology, Academics, Teachers & Researchers, and Psychotherapy Sections of the British Psychological Society. 2012 – Present

Post-doctoral Member of Neuroscience Ireland & Federation of European Neuroscience Societies. 2012 – Present

Post-doctoral Member of Cognitive Neuroscience Society. 2013 – Present

Member of Women in Technology and Science (WITS). 2016 – Present

Graduate member of Psychological Society of Ireland. 2010 – 2017