Courses
Success for ATU Researchers at the 26th Annual Multidisciplinary Health Research Conference
ATU researchers were recognised for award-winning work in cancer screening and pharmacogenomics at the 26th Annual Multidisciplinary Health Research Conference, held at Sligo University Hospital.
The event brought together clinicians, academics and researchers from across the region on 27-28 November. ATU contributed nearly one-third of the 60 research posters presented, with participation from staff and students across the THRIVE PRTP (Translational Health Research Innovation – preVention & Equity), HEAL (Health and Biomedical Research Centre), and JANUS Research Group.
Early Career Researchers Recognised
At the 4th Annual Early Career Researcher Forum, PhD candidates and early-career clinical staff shared emerging research through posters and workshops. ATU researchers receiving recognition included Eustes Kigongo for his systematic review on cancer screening uptake and Vanessa Nobles for her research on healthcare professionals’ knowledge of pharmacogenomics.
Closing the Gap on Cancer Screening
Eustes Kigongo received Best Academic Poster for his review examining trends, challenges and policy implications surrounding cancer screening in Ireland.
Despite free national screening, Ireland recorded the third-highest cancer incidence in Europe in 2023.
His review of 12 studies highlights persistent gaps in cervical and bowel screening uptake (averaging 46.4%) and calls for improved strategies to reduce inequalities:
“Ireland may offer free cancer screening, but significant quality gaps remain,” Eustes noted. “We need innovative, evidence-based approaches to boost participation and close avoidable disparities in access and outcomes.”
Preventing Adverse Drug Reactions
PhD researcher Vanessa Nobles is examining how personalised medicine and pharmacogenomics can reduce adverse drug reactions and improve patient outcomes, as well as the practical barriers to implementing these approaches in healthcare settings.
“Pharmacogenomics has the potential to reduce adverse drug reactions and improve patient outcomes, but we need to understand the barriers in healthcare and develop strategies to implement it effectively,” Vanessa shared.
Dr Richéal Burns, co-lead of THRIVE and co-supervisor of both researchers, praised the impact of their work:
It’s fantastic to see our early-career researchers tackling real-world challenges. Eustes’ work on cancer screening highlights gaps in participation and ways to reduce inequalities, while Vanessa’s research on pharmacogenomics knowledge shows how we can better prepare healthcare professionals for the adoption of personalised medicine approaches.
Broader ATU Research Highlights
ATU researchers also presented work across menstrual health, clinical practice and digital innovation:
- Menstrual health matters: THRIVE researcher Rebecca Tarpey reviewed 33 clinical trials exploring nutrition, physical activity and herbal remedies for managing menstrual cycle symptoms.
- Emergency care research: ATU undergraduate Caroline Iara supported statistical work on ED trauma data as part of the Sligo University Hospital (SUH) Data2Sustain project.
- Evidence-based practice: Dr Louise McBride delivered a keynote on advancing patient care through evidence-based approaches
- Digital innovation: Dr Richéal Burns presented collaborative Data2Sustain projects improving hospital processes and patient care with SUH.
- Mental health research: Dr Martin O’Neill and the Mental Health Crisis Resolution Team shared new evidence on digital tools for analysing routinely collected data.
RISE@ATU is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.
Featured Image: PhD researchers conversing at the 26th Annual Multidisciplinary Health Research Conference.
Jorden McMenamin
Communications Officer
Tel: 074 918 6127
E: jorden.mcmenamin@atu.ie
