The Future’s Event Brighter – Further Developments in Down Syndrome Research

Trinity’s Discipline of Paediatrics welcomed members of the wider Down Syndrome community (including adults with Down Syndrome, their parents and family members, advocates, and professionals who work with this community) back to Trinity on Tuesday, March 5^th 2026 to hear about further developments in Down Syndrome paediatric research.Conscious that not everyone is free to attend in person events in the evening, we were delighted, this year, to extend this event to a virtual audience. This enabled us to broaden the reach of our research.

Presentations included:

• Una Coates from Down Syndrome Ireland. Una sits on DSI’s National Advisory Council. She also sits on the Down Syndrome Research Priority Setting Partnership Steering Group.

• A Joint Adventure... Down syndrome associated arthritis (DA) the past, the present and the future! - Dr Orla Killeen, Consultant in Rheumatologist, CHI Crumlin

• Keratoconus in Down Syndrome - Mr Barry Power, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon in RVEEH and Blackrock Clinic

• New Areas of Research in Down Syndrome - Dr Robert McCarthy, MB, BCh, BAO, BA (Mod), MRCPI, 4th year SpR in Paediatric Medicine. Rob is currently undertaking a PhD with Trinity College, with the majority of his research focusing on the immune system of children with Trisomy 21.

• Progressing Early Intervention - Elaine McMahon, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, Neonatology Children's Health Ireland

• The Happy Project: Fostering independence and autonomy in young people with Down Syndrome - Beth Corcoran, Programme Mgr and PPI Contributor, Disc of Paediatrics, Trinity College Dublin

Thanks again to Chair of Paediatrics and Consultant Neonatologist, Professor Eleanor Molloy and Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Joanne Balfe for chairing this wonderful event and to the Together Academy for the wonderful catering!

And, of course, thank you in particular to our wonderful audience – who attended in person and online. Your input and questions to the evening will make for better research!

Please find links to our academic presentations below: