Staff Profiles

Darina O’Hanlon

UCD Ad Astra Academy and Academic Scholarship Manager

Darina is the Manager of the Ad Astra Academy where she leads the academic, elite sports and performing arts scholarships. In addition, she manages the Ad Astra Academic Scholarship Programme.

Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin

Director of the Ad Astra Academy Academic Scholarship Programme

Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin is the Principal and Dean of UCD College of Arts and Humanities and Senior Professor and Chair of Modern Irish and Literature. She has recently completed six years as Head of the UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore and Head of Irish Studies.

Associate Professor Paula Byrne

Chair of the Ad Astra Academy Academic Scholarship Programme

Professor Colin Boreham

Director of the Ad Astra Academy Elite Sports Scholarship Programme

Colin Boreham joined UCD in July 2006 to become the inaugural Director of the Institute for Sport and Health. He is a sports scientist of over 30 years standing, and has published over 100 peer reviewed papers on aspects of exercise, sport and health.

Ann O’Hanlon

UCD Ad Astra Academy Elite Sports Manager

Ann O'Hanlon has a BA and MBS from UCD, together with postgraduate qualifications in Psychotherapy from DCU. Ann brings extensive knowledge of the university to her role as Manager of the Elite Sports Scholarship Programme.

Craig Dowling

Elite Sports Strength and Conditioning Coach

Craig graduated with a BSc in Sport Science & Health from Dublin City University. Craig moves from a performance support role with Cycling Ireland working with their Olympic and Paralympic programmes throughout the Tokyo 2020 cycle.

Dr. Domenico Crognale

Elite Sports Human Performance Laboratory

Domenico Crognale is a Sport & Exercise Scientist at UCD and currently manages the Human Performance Laboratory in ISH. He completed his PhD at UCD and obtained his BSc and MSc in Sports Science and Coaching at the University Institute of Movement Sciences, Rome, Italy.

Liam Heavin

Founder ~ Clinical Director of DBC UCD Chartered Physiotherapy

Liam is the founder of Dublin Back Clinic, and is one of Ireland’s most experienced back and neck rehabilitation specialists. He holds a Masters Degree in Sports Medicine from Trinity College Dublin, as well as his undergraduate Physiotherapy Degree from Satakunnan University in Finland.

Tony Carey

Director of the Ad Astra Academy Performing Arts Scholarship Programme

Tony Carey was awarded his B. Comm. (1987) and his MBS (1988) from UCD. On leaving university, he worked as a management consultant with Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) and IBM Business Consulting Services for a total of fifteen years.

Kellie Hughes

Performing Arts Artistic and Theatre Director

Kellie is a highly trained theatre-artist with twenty years of professional experience as a director, writer, performer and collaborator. Her work has toured extensively both nationally and internationally.

Thérèse Timoney

Performing Arts Music Director

Thérèse enjoys a varied career playing both modern & Baroque violin. She combines playing with teaching and tutoring chamber music ensembles.

Professor Ciaran Crilly

Performing Arts Music Adviser

Ciarán is Head of the UCD School of Music and Assistant Professor of Orchestral Conducting.

Eamonn Jordan

Performing Arts Drama Adviser

Eamonn Jordan is Professor in Drama Studies at the School of English, Drama and Film, University College Dublin.