Summer Projects

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Lara McManus

Supervisor(s) email: lmcmanu@tcd.ie

Department: Academic Unit of Neurology

Research summary: Our lab analyses high density electrophysiological signals from the brain and muscle, using this information to gain a window into the function of the nervous system. We are particularly interested in how we can use these recordings to gain new insights into neurodegenerative conditions like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Supervisor(s) name: Prof Suzanne Cloonan

Supervisor(s) email: Suzanne.cloonan@tcd.ie

Department: Clinical Medicine

Research summary: At our translational research laboratory within the Trinity Biosciences Institute, we are dedicated to discovering novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic respiratory diseases. Our primary focus is on unravelling the environmental and genetic risk factors that contribute to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Nat Med. 2016 Feb;22(2):163-74).  We are particularly interested in the role of immune cells in the lung and how they utilize micronutrients like iron—a process known as nutritional immunity (Respir Res. 2021 Apr 29;22(1):133). We are also interested in understanding how the battle for micronutrients between host and pathogen within the respiratory tract could lead to groundbreaking advancements in the treatment and management of chronic lung diseases such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis or asthma. We employ state-of-the-art cell culture models, in vivo infection models and cutting edge technologies (JCI Insight. 2023, J Exp Med. 2021, J Immunol. 2020, Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2023, Sci Rep. 2020, Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020). We also collaborate closely with Tallaght University Hospital and St James Hospital to access primary cells on a weekly basis from individuals with chronic respiratory diseases. A full list of publications can be found here.

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Michael Carty

Supervisor(s) email: cartymi@tcd.ie

Department: Clinical Microbiology

Research summary: Our lab is interested in host pathogen interactions between the human host and fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus Fumigatus and candida albicans, and exploring ways how activation of the innate immune system can help clear these fungal pathogens. In addition, we are also interested in inflammatory forms of cells death such as pyroptosis, which occurs following inflammasome activation, in infectious diseases and sepsis.

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Julie Renwick

Supervisor(s) email: renwickj@tcd.ie

Department: Clinical Microbiology

Research summary: My research focuses on chronic respiratory infections, with a particular interest in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). In recent years the airways of people with CF have been found to harbour a diverse community of microorganisms. These finding are forcing a paradigm shift in how we view airway infections. To date the clinical significance of the presence of these microbial communities in the CF airways is still poorly understood. I currently have numerous basic science and clinical studies underway exploring the microbial communities present in the airway and how they contribute to chronic airway disease progression. I co-founded the Airway Microbiome in CF (AIM CF) project which is an arm of the larger Study of Host Immunity and Early Lung Disease in CF (SHIELD CF) longitudinal project. I also have an interest in advancing diagnostic techniques and improving detection of common airway pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus. My research is multidisciplinary and relies on a high level of communication between clinicians and scientists to apply the most advanced, cutting-edge sequencing and molecular techniques to the clinical setting.

Supervisor(s) name: Prof Sarah Doyle

Supervisor(s) email: Doyles8@tcd.ie

Department: Clinical Medicine, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience

Research summary: In our lab we study the involvement of the innate immune system in retinal degeneration and brain injury. We also study the same innate immune pathways in paediatric inflammatory diseases.

Supervisor(s) name: Prof Richard Reilly

Supervisor(s) email: reillyri@tcd.ie

Department: Gerontology in School of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering in School of Engineering

Research summary: Quantitative methods to understand neural function and the underlying pathophysiology of sensory and cognitive processing. The Clinical Neural Engineering lab conducts cross-disciplinary translational research, particularly on movement disorders and ageing. The lab creates patient-oriented diagnostic and assessment tools, objective measures for active implantable devices and therapeutic devices.  https://reillylab.net/

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Alejandro Lopez Valdes

Supervisor(s) email: Alejandro.lopez@tcd.ie

Department: Global Brain Health Institute

Research summary: We focus on translational neural engineering research, particularly with applications in monitoring and influencing different aspects of cognitive function. We have specific interests in sensory integrity, cognitive reserve, neurotechnology, individualized cognition, context-based biomarkers of cognitive function and hyper-scanning of multi-modal electrophysiology.

Supervisor(s) name: Prof Roman Romero-Ortuno

Supervisor(s) email: rromeroor@tcd.ie

Department: Discipline of Medical Gerontology

Research summary: Our research group uses the SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) dataset (https://share-eric.eu/) to investigate patterns in ageing, health, and socioeconomic factors across European populations. We focus on understanding determinants of healthy ageing and informing gerontological policy and practice.

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Bahman Nasseroleslami (PI), Dr Marjorie Metzger (Postdoctoral Fellow), Dr Gabriel Costa (Postdoctoral Fellow), Dr Prabhav Mehra (Postdoctoral Researcher)

Supervisor(s) email: nasserob@tcd.ie, metzgema@tcd.ie, costag@tcd.ie, pmehra@tcd.ie

Department: Neurology

Research summary: The NeuroMotor Group works on understanding and quantifying the function of different networks in the nervous system, as well as developing biomarkers for neurological conditions, using neurophysiological recordings (e.g. EEG, EMG and ESG), neural signal analysis, and neural engineering.

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Nengwei Hu

Supervisor(s) email: hunw@tcd.ie

Department: Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Research summary: Our lab focuses on synaptic dysfunction mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular emphasis on Alzheimer's disease.

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Eric Downer

Supervisor(s) email: edowner@tcd.ie

Department: Physiology

Research summary: My lab is interested in neuroimmunology, with emphasis on the role of the innate immune system in neuroinflammatory conditions. I have a particular interest in the cannabinoid system, and its role in regulating neuroinflammation. My research in this field has made significant contributions to the development of novel anti-inflammatory therapies, particularly in Multiple Sclerosis. I also operate a number of educational research projects in Physiology.

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Cuisle Forde

Supervisor(s) email: c.forde@tcd.ie

Department: Physiotherapy

Research summary: Areas of research include; the intersection of healthcare and planetary health, active travel/physical activity and the intersection of technology and health education. See; https://www.tcd.ie/research/profiles/?profile=codonov or email c.forde@tcd.ie for more detailed information regarding ongoing projects.

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Shigeki Nakagome

Supervisor(s) email: nakagoms@tcd.ie

Department: Psychiatry

Research summary: Our group integrates ancient genomics, population genetics, and statistical genetics to understand how human evolutionary history and genetic ancestry shape disease risk.

By analyzing diverse phenotypes, we aim to reveal the functional effects of genetic variation and improve disease prediction.

Supervisor(s) name: Prof Iracema Leroi

Supervisor(s) email: Iracema.Leroi@tcd.ie

Department: Psychiatry/Medical Gerontology/Neuropsychiatry (MISA, SJH)

Research summary: Clinical Dementia research, with focus on clinical trials (drug and non-drug), observational research and understanding the lived experience of neurodegenerative disease, from an interdisciplinary perspective. A key focus is applied research to improve the lives of people with Lewy Body Dementias (the EMERALD Lewy program). Based at St James Hospital, MISA.

My research focuses on clinically applied dementia research. I lead an interdisciplinary team of 17 members, including research assistants, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and MD candidates, based at the Merseys Institute of Successful Aging, St. James’ Hospital.

Our programme includes pharmacological and non-pharmacological clinical trials in dementia, primarily conducted under the auspices of Dementia Trials Ireland, the national clinical trials infrastructure for dementia research hosted by St. James’ Hospital. This work is supported through funding from the Health Research Board, Research Ireland, Horizon Europe, and Erasmus programmes.

We also undertake applied clinical research on sensory impairment and dementia through the SENSE-Cog programme (www.sense-cog.eu), examining the relationships between hearing, vision, and cognitive decline using clinical trials and related methodologies.

A further core focus is the lived experience of dementia with Lewy bodies. This includes an observational cohort of individuals with Lewy body dementias, as well as research into the neuropsychiatric and cognitive aspects of Parkinson’s disease.

Across these areas, our work is highly interdisciplinary and spans clinical trials, observational research, health economics, quality-of-life research, qualitative methods, and arts-in-health evaluation.

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Hugh Kearney

Supervisor(s) email: KEARNEYH@tcd.ie

Department: School of Medicine

Research summary: Clinical research focused on immune dysfunction linked to Epstein-Barr virus in multiple sclerosis.

Supervisor(s) name: Dr Gareth Brady

Supervisor(s) email: Bradyg1@tcd.ie

Department: TTMI

Research summary: Understanding innate immune signalling pathways and mechanisms of inhibition of these pathways by poxviruses.