Research Groups & Projects
The Discipline supports a broad base of anatomical and life-science research perspectives, with postgraduate research programs in the areas of human anatomical exploration, neuroscience, metabolism, pedagogy, immunology and exercise.
The CORPUS Group (Cadaveric Organ Research in Pathology, immUnology and Systems anatomy) is a joint initiative between the Discipline of Anatomy Trinity College Dublin and the University of Cagliari, dedicated to advancing our understanding of human subcellular morphology and age‑related change by combining expertise in histopathology, inflammation and neuroscience with multidisciplinary collaboration.
Lead investigators:
Kate Connor CONNORKA@tcd.ie
Dr Connor specialises in the study of difficult-to-treat malignancies with unmet clinical needs. Her research focuses on four key areas: a) the development of advanced preclinical models of glioblastoma (GBM) and brain tumour related epilepsy; b) interrogation of tumour microenvironment contexts of vulnerability and neuroscience directed cancer therapies (NDCTs); c) investigation of mechanisms of response to immunotherapy and their impact on epileptogenesis; and d) the use of CT and MR radiomics for the interrogation of disease progression and therapeutic response both pre-clinically and clinically.
Marcello Trucas marcello.trucas@unica.it
Dr Trucas is a Clinical Pathologist and his research focuses on multi-organ morphological and morphometric modifications in chronic inflammatory conditions through immunohistochemistry, cell culture, electron microscopy , and molecular biology techniques.
Interested in neuro-vascular interaction of autonomic innervation, he has focused on studies concerning the neuro-vascular-immune interface in donors and clinical samples, useful for research on ageing, chronic pathologies, and degenerative diseases.
Other main interests concern Anatomical Dissection, the application of Artificial Intelligence in Anatomy, and the History of Medicine. He is responsible for establishing a body donation program in Sardinia (Italy).
Melissa Conroy MECONROY@tcd.ie
Dr. Conroy ‘s research aims to improve survival for patients with poor prognosis cancers of the oesophagus, brain, ovaries and lung. Her research focuses on identifying and developing new immunotherapeutic approaches for cancer and inflammatory disease. Her Obesity and Cancer Research programme focuses on how to overcome the detrimental effects of obesity on immunotherapy efficacy. Dr Conroy’s NK cell therapy programme is developing novel tumour-homing “off-the-shelf” NK cell therapies for solid malignancies. Her Glioblastoma Research Programme investigates the potential of new drugs to sensitise brain tumours to first-line treatments, novel immunotherapeutic approaches, and novel routes of administration to improve delivery across the blood-brain barrier.
Denis Barry DEBARRY@tcd.ie
Dr. Barry is the current Head of Discipline of Anatomy, School of Medicine, TCD and the license holder for anatomical study at TCD. The key direction of Dr. Barry’s research is understanding the impact of metabolic influence on brain development, while his work across the Anatomical Sciences in pedagogy, anatomic variation and discovery showcase his passion and appreciation of anatomy in human health and education.
Michaela Vincis michela.vincis86@unica.it
Dr. Vincis is a pathologist working at the interface of anatomical sciences, translational pathology, and environmental health. Her research focuses on morphological and molecular alterations in human tissues, particularly the impact of environmental pollutants—including micro- and nanoplastics—on placental structure and function. Her PhD investigated the accumulation and pathological effects of emerging contaminants at the maternal–foetal interface. She applies an integrated approach based on histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and ultrastructural analysis to study tissue remodelling and inflammation across organ systems.
Claire Murphy claire.murphy@tcd.ie
Claire is Chief Technical Officer 1 (CTO1) in the Anatomy Discipline in TCD, leading technical and professional support for teaching and research while championing a sustainable and inclusive learning and work environment.
Current Research
Neuro‑Vascular–Immune Interface & Ageing
This project investigates age-related changes in the peripheral neuro‑vascular–interstitial unit, comprising nerves, blood vessels, and stromal cells, using human anatomical donors samples. It focuses on processes such as vascular and autonomic modifications of structural support cells, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, with particular attention to the carotid–vagal region.
Exploring the neural regulation of thymic function in health and disease
A reduction in thymic health has emerged as a driver of immunosenescence and increased disease risk in adults. Moreover, the regulation of thymic activity is a key component of the anti-tumour immune response and this organ plays a crucial role in cancer immunotherapy efficacy. This research strand aims to delineate the links between the neurovascular microarchitecture, neural regulation and neuro-immune connections of the thymus in age-related disease. Ultimately, this research aims to identify targetable pathways and develop novel treatment approaches for cancer and other age-related pathologies.
Investigating the sensory-sympathetic axis in cancer
Avoiding immune destruction is one of the hallmarks of cancer and hard-to-treat malignancies are often characterised by a cold immune phenotype. Increased innervation of solid tumours is associated with poorer cancer patient outcomes and the vagal sensory pathway has been implicated as a driver of an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. This research aims to investigate how the sensory-sympathetic axis influences the immune infiltrate of solid tumours and to identify targets to ultimately exploit this with therapeutic intent.
RECENT PAPERS
Trucas M, Barry D, Conroy MJ, Vincis M, Diana A, Intini C, Gobbi P, Gerosa C, Fanni D, Perra A.
Biomedicines. 2025 Dec 15;13(12):3091. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines13123091.
Trucas, M., Vincis, M., Intini, C., ... Diana, A., Barry, D. Translational Research in AnatomyOpen source preview, 2025, 39, 100404
Vincis, M., Lewis, C., Barry, D., Trucas, M. Translational Research in AnatomyOpen source preview, 2025, 38, 100366
- Building Artificial Intelligence Transferable Educational Models in Computational Morphology. In Reframing Higher Education with Responsible GenAI Use: Practical Strategies for Teaching, Assessment and Policy.
Trucas, M., Putzu, L., Vincis, M., Gobbi, P., Nonnis, L., Fanni, D., Conroy, M. J., Barry, D., & Gerosa, C. (2026 in press). (Biomedical Visualization series). Springer Nature.
- Shaping Anatomical Theatre’s Teaching Environment: Antonio Scarpa and the Places of Anatomy
Trucas Marcello , Emanuele Armocida, Valentina Cani, Michela Vincis, Denis Barry, Maria Carla Garbarino (2026 accepted). Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy