Trinity’s Down Syndrome Research Group (DISCO) welcomed members of the wider Down Syndrome community back to Trinity on Tuesday, March 5th, 2026, to hear about further developments in Down Syndrome paediatric research.
Hosted by Trinity’s Discipline of Paediatrics, this annual event aims to raise awareness and foster collaboration in Down Syndrome research as well as communicating the value of PPI involvement in research.
The DISCO team were delighted to be able to extend the reach of this year’s event to a virtual audience which included attendees from around Ireland and from as far afield as Kenya!
Presentations included:
- Una Coates from Down Syndrome Ireland. Una sits on DSI’s National Advisory Council and on the Down Syndrome Research Priority Setting Partnership Steering Group (a DISCO project).
- 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.
- Progressing Early Intervention - Elaine McMahon, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, Neonatology Children's Health Ireland
- Fostering independence and autonomy in young people with Down Syndrome - Beth Corcoran, Programme Mgr and PPI Contributor, Disc of Paediatrics, Trinity College Dublin
- Next Steps – Professor Eleanor Molloy, Chair of Paediatrics
Thanks to all who attended both in person and online! Your input makes for better research!
