Improving Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients with Covid-19 Case Study Wins the 2021 UCD Research Impact Competition
- Case study describes the research and impact of the Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network
The overall winner and runners-up of the 2021 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition, which encourages researchers of all disciplines to write a case study that tells the story of how their work has made a positive difference, have been announced today by Professor Orla Feely, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact.
The overall winner, ‘Improving outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19,’ describes the research and impact of the Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network, led by Professor Alistair Nichol, Chair of Critical Care Medicine in UCD School of Medicine.
The Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network at UCD has carried out significant clinical research in preparation for, and in response to, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through collaborative networks of hospitals across 63 countries, this research has had a profound impact on patients with COVID-19, their families, and wider society. The Network’s outputs have saved thousands of lives and ICU bed days by identifying treatments that improve patient survival and recovery (as well as identifying treatments that are ineffective or even harmful), and by informing HSE and WHO treatment guidelines for the clinical management of severe COVID-19 infection.
Professor Orla Feely, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact said, “I am always impressed with the quality of the applications we receive and this year was no exception. As chair of the judging panel, it is a great pleasure to learn more about the many ways UCD’s researchers strive to make the world a better place.
“Among this year’s finalists we have researchers helping to tackle the ongoing pandemic, protect the environment, enrich people’s lives, influence policy, simulate sustainable economic growth, improve health and wellbeing, and inspire the next generation.
“I would like to congratulate all of our finalists. Their commitment to ensuring people benefit from their research is admirable and I am delighted to be able to recognise it through these awards.”
The runners-up of 2021 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition are:
Runners-up
Supporting climate action through tree planting, led by Dr Chiara Cocco, UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy
Helping people cope during COVID-19, Dr Keith Gaynor, UCD School of Psychology
Girls in STEM: changing attitudes and increasing diversity, Professor Judith Harford, Assistant Professor Rachel Farrell, UCD School of Education, Assistant Professor Aoibhínn Ní Shúilleabháin, UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics
Typhoidland: using the past to inform the present and future of typhoid control, Dr Claas Kirchhelle, UCD School of History
AI_PREMie: saving lives of mothers and babies using AI, Professor Patricia Maguire, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science
The Labour Hopscotch Framework: improving outcomes for mother and baby, Dr Denise O’Brien, Sinead Thompson, Lorraine Carroll, Dr Barbara Coughlan, UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems
#WeAreNotWaiting: tackling diabetes through patient-led research and open-source innovation, Dr Shane O’Donnell, UCD School of Psychology
SmartGrass: improving the sustainability of livestock farming, Associate Professor Helen Sheridan, Professor Tommy Boland, Professor Olaf Schmidt, Associate Professor Bridget Lynch, Assistant Professor Paul Murphy, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science
Promoting policies for sustainable mega-sport events, Professor Eleni Theodoraki, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science
Ending direct provision, Associate Professor Liam Thornton, UCD Sutherland School of Law.
Professor Feely, added, “I encourage all researchers to consider entering this year’s competition when it launches in the spring. To help you reflect on your impact and write a compelling entry we invite you to explore the UCD Impact Toolkit.”
ENDS
1 March 2022
For further information contact Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, NovaUCD, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie or Caroline Byrne, Communications Manager, UCD Research, e: caroline.byrne1@ucd.ie