Medicine

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NEPTUNE Programme

The HRB funded Neonatal Encephalopathy PhD training network, NEPTuNE, completed its 6-year journey in May 2024. The programme consisted of a partnership between Trinity, the University of Galway, UCC’s Infant Centre and, PPI partner, the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance (INHA). On the final day of the programme, we hosted a last Study Day in Trinity’s Regent House with presentations from our PhD Scholars, NEPTuNE partner Mandy Daly (INHA), programme leads Prof Eleanor Molloy and Prof Geraldine Boylan, HRB representative Annalisa Montesanti, and guest speaker Prof Nikki Robertson.

Outcomes

This collaborative, multi-disciplinary programme was a great success and produced 7 PhD scholars, 52 publications, 48 conference presentations, A common dataset (CASTOR), and included excellent and effective PPI from our INHA partner.

Leading team:

  • Lead: Professor Eleanor Molloy, Chair of Paediatrics & Child Health, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin
  • Co-lead: Professor Geraldine Boylan, Director of INFANT Centre, University College Cork
  • Professor Declan Devane, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Galway
  • Mandy Daly, PPI representative, Irish Neonatal Health Alliance
  • Beth Corcoran, Programme Manager, Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin

From left to right: Prof Declan Devane (NUI Galway), Prof Geraldine Boylan (UCC), Prof Eleanor Molloy (TCD), Dr Mark Watson (CRDI), Dr Darrin Morrissey (HRB), Prof Arun Bokde (TCD), Prof Jean Quigley (TCD).

 

The structured PhD degree is a doctoral training programme with the core component of advancement of knowledge through original research and integrated support for professional development.  The programme is student centered and the qualification is designed to enhance, improve and directly engage the student in relevant research skills. In addition, it will offer the student disciplinary, generic and transferable skills, tailored to suit the experience of the student and reflect the disciplinary requirements.

HRB NEPTuNE Scholars, from left to right: Tim Hurley, Fiona Quirke, Chelo Del Rosario, Megan Dibble, Andreea Pavel.

PhD students:

  • Tim Hurley, PhD Scholar, Discipline of Paediatrics.

Project name: CRADLE, Circadian Rhythm Alterations anD outcome in neonatal Encephalopathy.

Supervisor: Professor Eleanor Molloy.

  • Aoife Branagan, PhD Scholar, Discipline of Paediatrics.

Project name: PUFFIN, Point of care Ultrasound For Functional multIorgan evaluation in Neonatal encephalopathy.

Supervisor: Professor Eleanor Molloy.

  • Chelo del Rosario, PhD Scholar, School of Psychology.

Project name: PANDA, Psychological And Neurodevelopmental assessment of Neonatal Encephalopathy.

Supervisors: Professor Elizabeth Nixon, Professor Jean Quigley; Co-supervisor: Professor Eleanor Molloy.

  • Megan Dibble, PhD Scholar, Discipline of Psychiatry.

Project name: NEON, Investigate the functional brain changes in neonatal encephalopathy (NE) infants and the associated behavioral and cognitive consequences.

Supervisor: Professor Arun Bokde; Co-supervisor: Professor Eleanor Molloy.

  • Fiona Quirke, PhD Scholar, University College Galway.

Project name: COHESION, Develop a Core Outcome Set for use in clinical trials, and other studies, for interventions for the treatment of Neonatal Encephalopathy.

Supervisor: Professor Declan Devane; Co-supervisor: Professor Eleanor Molloy, Dr Patricia Healy.

  • Andreea Pavel, PhD Scholar, INFANT Centre, UCC.

Project name: SERENdiPITY, Study of ElectRoENcephalogram, heart rate variability and clinical parameters as early biomarkers of hyPoxic-Ischaemic encephalopaThY in newborn infants

Supervisor: Professor Geraldine Boylan; Co-supervisor: Professor Eleanor Molloy.

  • Carol Stephens, PhD Scholar, INFANT Centre, UCC.

Project name: SYNAPSE I & II, EpilepSY After NeoNAtal ElectrograPhic SEizures AND OutcomeS and ElectroencephalographY followiNg NeonAtal EncePhalopathy: an ObSErvational Study

Supervisor: Professor Geraldine Boylan, Professor Deirdre Murray, Dr Olivia O Mahony, Dr Brian Walsh.