‘Unlocking Nature’s Pharmacy from Bogland Species’ public talk by Professor Helen Sheridan

13th Feb 2024

Professor Helen Sheridan, NatPro Academic Director will deliver a presentation titled ‘Unlocking Nature’s Pharmacy from Bogland Species’ on February 22, 2024, at 8 pm in Cloughjordan, County Tipperary, hosted by the Cloughjordan Heritage Group and as part of Peatlands community engagement scheme curated by socially engaged artist Fionnuala McKenna . Professor Sheridan's presentation is aimed at those interested in the convergence of science, heritage, and conservation and will explore the enduring value of Ireland's natural and cultural treasures associated with Irish boglands.

This presentation will highlight the 'Unlocking Nature’s Pharmacy from Bogland Species (UNPBS)' project, bringing the audience from use of healing plants by neanderthal Man, through history and ecosystems to Irish Boglands. Hosted at the NatPro, Trinity Centre for Natural Products Research, the innovative and groundbreaking UNPBS project is aimed at harnessing the therapeutic and commercial potential of native Irish bogland plants. By valorizing Irish traditional healing remedies by exploring the National Folklore Collection (dúchas) specifically the digitised School’s Manuscript Collection from the 1930s—this research seeks to uncover traditional remedies for use in innovative scientific drug discovery and development from Ireland's rich history and biodiversity.

The project aligns with the mission of the Peatland Community Engagement Scheme, aimed at conserving Ireland’s peatlands and engaging the public in the protection and appreciation of these vital ecosystems. By supporting local communities, schools, and other groups, the Peatland Community Engagement Scheme fosters a collective effort to safeguard and revitalise Ireland's natural heritage. Peatland Community Engagement Scheme is funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

About Professor Helen Sheridan

Helen Sheridan is the Professor in Natural Product Science at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SoPPS) at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). She is founder and academic director of the NatPro Centre for Natural Products Research located at Trinity College Dublin. She completed her B. Sc and Ph. D in University College Dublin and was held fellowships at Oxford University and at the CNRS at Gif-sur-Yvette, Paris. Her current research focusses on ‘Unlocking Nature’s Pharmacy from Bogland species’ looking at his topic through disruptive scientific, and cultural lenses, and now, is using Artificial intelligence to inform her research. She has been involved in the regulation of Herbal Medicines in Ireland and Europe and has acted as phytochemical expert on the Herbal Medicines Committee of the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) for over 20 years. She is currently an advisor to the Irish Government in the area of Natural Products and the Bioeconomy.