Health and Biomedical Strategic Research Centre (HEAL)

HEAL Mission

The Health and Biomedical Strategic Research Centre (HEAL), Atlantic Technological University (ATU) will, through undertaking transformative health and biomedical research, innovation and discovery, and training of the next generation of scientists and engineers, support the translation of knowledge and innovation for better health and societal outcomes in Ireland and beyond.

HEAL Vision

To be recognised nationally and internationally as a high-quality, research-driven centre of excellence, translating interdisciplinary knowledge and innovations to industry and clinical practice with patient and public involvement and engagement, with the goal of improving healthcare and health outcomes for society.

The HEAL Strategic Research Centre (SRC) focuses on improving health and wellbeing at the individual and societal level as well as advocating for patient-centred research and health improvement strategies in national policy development and implementation.

The aims will be achieved by building on the research strengths of those across ATU campuses, harnessing the capacity that has been developed over the last few years in this area as the legacy Institutes progressed toward the Atlantic Technological University. The HEAL SRC will continuously develop postgraduates capable of addressing regional, national and international healthcare challenges focusing on multidisciplinary health and biomedical research programmes. The HEAL SRC will work across four pillars listed below.

Current Director of HEAL: Dr Richeal Burns

For the latest HEAL News and Events click on the link below.

HEAL Research Centre is hitting the ground running with a great start to our 2025 Seminar Series

HEAL welcomes Dr Chiara Pittalis, Research Fellow at RCSI Institute of Global Surgery, who will present in the area of Global Health and Sustainability.

 Presentation: Transforming Healthcare for All: Research-Driven Approaches to Health System Equity.

January 28th from 1pm – delivered in the Abbvie Auditorium, Sligo Campus and online.

Presenter Biography:

Dr Chiara Pittalis is a Research Fellow at RCSI Institute of Global Surgery, where she is lead researcher in a number of projects aiming to strengthen health care delivery in low-resource settings, ranging from breast cancer care (Akazi project, 350k, IRC-funded) to testing innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change on health (SURG-Water project, 1m, SFI-funded). Her main interest is in health services and systems research, and wider population health. Within this, her work focuses on access to care for vulnerable groups, patient centred care, health workforce strengthening, and the role of technology and sustainable innovation in enhancing care delivery.