The Academic Track Programme was designed in 2017 to give Interns the opportunity to undertake a three month project in clinical research, medical education or healthcare leadership and management.
There are 48 academic track posts nationally across the six intern networks in Ireland: Dublin Mid-Leinster (UCD), Dublin North-East (RCSI), Dublin South-East (TCD), Mid-West (UL), South (UCC) and West North-West (NUIG) approved by the Irish Medical Council.
UCD Academic Track Programme is delivered in conjunction with the Intern Network Executive, their affiliated Medical Schools and the National Doctors Training & Planning programme (HSE).
UCD Academic Track posts are a combination of clinical rotations with a three -month protected Academic Track rotation. Applicants to the programme can choose a research project in the areas of clinical research, medical education or healthcare leadership and management.
The UCD Intern Network is pleased to welcome the UCD Academic Track interns for 2023-2024.
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Dr Damien Doherty Project title: ‘Mantle Cell Lymphoma in Ireland: A Real-World Database Registry Study’ Academic track project supervisor: Professor Elisabeth Vandenberghe Clinical Professor Trinity College Dublin, and Consultant Haematologist and Lymphoma Clinical Lead at St James’s Hospital. Project summary: This project aims to contribute to and analyse the first registry of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in Ireland. MCL is a non-Hodgkins lymphoma that has seen a paradigm shift in treatment options in recent years. Through this project we hope to collect current, real-world data on MCL in the Irish context with a view to contributing to the European MCL group's database. Our findings will help us to better understand the epidemiology of MCL in Ireland, inform health resource planning, and provide a basis on which future translational and clinical research can be conducted. |
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Dr Robin Keane Project title: ’Investigating the requirements for a transition care service for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer in Ireland’ Academic track project supervisor: Professor Owen Smith CBE; Professor of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, UCD; Consultant Paediatric Haematologist, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin; Chief Academic Lead to the Children’s Hospital Group; Hon. Regius Professor of Physic [1637], TCD. Project summary: The current pathway for AYAs transitioning from paediatric to adult cancer services is ad hoc and individually based. Poor transition is associated with poor clinical outcomes, increased ED presentations, and increased hospital and ICU admissions. The AYA cohort constitutes a unique group requiring tailored medical and psychosocial care. Survival rate improvement for AYAs as well as rates of enrollment in clinical trials lags behind both adult and paediatric groups. The number of patients within the Irish Children’s Cancer Service requiring transition services is unknown. Quantifying this and researching the needs and expectations of these patients are vital first steps in the provision of a proper transition service. This project involves the creation of a rich dataset of the patients in the National Children’s Cancer Service (NCCS) who will require transition services, including their diagnoses, locations, and clinical follow up needs. As well as this, the concerns, self-reported needs, and expectations of AYAs preparing to transition to adult care will be assessed. |
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Dr Stephen Kelly Project Title: ‘Evaluating the safety and efficacy of the new RetinaScreen pathways’ Academic track project supervisor: Professor David Keegan Consultant Ophthalmologist at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Clinical Professor University College Dublin and Clinical Lead at Diabetic RetinaScreen. Project Summary: RetinaScreen is the diabetic retinopathy screening programme run by the National Screening Service. It was started in 2013 with most patients being screened on an annual basis but has evolved over time as different pathways have been introduced on a rolling basis. These new pathways include the two-year interval screening, digital surveillance, and the pregnancy screening pathways. While these pathways have been shown to be safe and effective in similar programmes in other countries, they still need to be evaluated in an Irish context. This project aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the three new pathways within Ireland. |
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Dr Blanca Lenoci Project title: ‘Posturography and cognitive motor interference in cervical dystonia’ Academic track project supervisor: Dr Conor Fearon, Consultant Neurologist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Project summary: I am collaborating with the Irish Dystonia Research Group to investigate cognitive-motor interference in patients with cervical dystonia. We use the dual task paradigm to assess the extent to which simultaneous performance of attention-demanding cognitive tasks interfere with automatic motor activity. It is hypothesized that the poor balance and postural control seen in cervical dystonia is not only due to dystonic posture per se but is significantly impacted by impaired dual-task performance, or cognitive-motor interference, resulting in increased risk of falls and lowered quality of life in this patient cohort. Investigating how these tasks compete for the same resources within the cognitive system can help us understand how network connectivity is impaired in cervical dystonia as well as improve patient rehabilitation and mitigate fall risk. |
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Dr Harry Marland Project title: ‘Comparative outcomes of early vs delayed surgical intervention in geriatric patients with spinal fractures and concomitant spinal cord injuries’ Academic track project supervisor: Professor Joseph Butler, Consultant Spine Surgeon at the National Spinal Injuries Unit, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. Project summary: Trauma remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for patients of all age groups. Currently, the literature suggests that early surgical fixation of the spinal column reduces the rate of perioperative complications in traumatic spinal cord injuries. However, the elderly population have high rates of morbidity and mortality following traumatic spinal cord injuries but are also at increased risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications. This makes treatment decision-making less clear and more challenging in this cohort compared to younger patients with similar injuries. The purpose of this study, to identify the optimal time to surgical fixation in elderly patients presenting with traumatic spinal cord injuries and to determine whether delaying surgical intervention to optimise patient comorbidities affects outcomes. |
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Dr Sarah Miles Project title: ‘Exploring the association between systemic inflammation, HIV reservoir size and the CTIP2 biomarker in people with HIV (PWH) within the All-Ireland Infectious Disease Cohort’ Academic track project supervisor: Professor Paddy Mallon, Consultant Infectious Diseases SVUH, Professor of Microbial Diseases, Director of the Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), Director Welcome Trust - HRB Irish Clinical Academic Training Programme. Project summary: While antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV medicine, People with HIV (PWH) remain at higher risk of age-related comorbidities compared to the general population, which is thought to be related to ongoing immune dysfunction and inflammation. This study will be a subanalysis of a larger study, which aims to characterize the relationship between inflammation and prevalent clinical outcomes in PWH. I will advance this project by firstly measuring HIV viral reservoir size and circulating levels of CTIP2 within the study population. I will then correlate these findings with markers of inflammation and clinical outcomes within this group. CTIP2 is a cellular cofactor which has been shown to play a role in HIV-1 gene silencing in latently infected reservoirs. The mechanistic role of CTIP2 in the inflammatory process remains unclear. We hypothesize that elevated levels of circulating CTIP2 in plasma are associated with higher levels of inflammation and could be indicative of the HIV reservoir size in PLWH. This study will help to further define the underlying molecular mechanisms driving persistent inflammation observed in PWH, which will be essential for the future management of health outcomes in this population. |
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Dr Ned Quirke Project title: ‘Primary Closure Versus Myocutaneous Flap Closure Of Abdominoperineal Resection (APR) And Pelvic Exenteration Defects, A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis’ Academic track project supervisor: Ms Shirley Potter, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin Project summary: Recent advancements in the surgical management of advanced pelvic malignancies have improved oncological outcomes while simultaneously posing a challenge to reconstructive surgeons. New surgical techniques have permitted extended oncological resections which result in extensive tissue defects. Despite the improved oncological outcomes from such radical surgeries, there can be considerable postoperative morbidity associated with these procedures. Perineal wound complications occur in as many as 60% of cases, with wound dehiscence and breakdown the most severe, having a significant impact on patient recovery and quality of life, oftentimes necessitating longer hospital stays and further interventions. To manage this problem, several perineal closure techniques have been applied over the past decades. Myocutaneous flaps have been proposed in place of primary closure to improve wound healing. Currently, there is no clear consensus on which method to use. I will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare primary closure with myocutaneous flap reconstruction of perineal defects following abdominoperineal resection or pelvic exenteration regarding surgical-site complications. |
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Dr Ruth Walsh Project title: ‘Blood-Brain-Barrier Evaluation of Patients with Highly Refractory Focal Epilepsy Before and After High Dose Intravenous Methylprednisolone’ Academic track project supervisor: Dr Elisabeth Doran (Consultant Neurologist and Director of the Epilepsy Service at St James's Hospital, Dublin). Project summary: The Epilepsy Service at St James’s Hospital has been investigating and treating patients with highly refractory focal epilepsy with immunotherapy as a palliative treatment trial based on the assumption of possible underlying autoimmune epilepsy. Initial results are promising, with some patients exhibiting sustained responses to treatment with Methylprednisolone and significant reductions in seizure frequency. Our new hypothesis is that, in some of these patients, the response to Methylprednisolone may have been caused by stabilisation of the blood brain barrier (BBB) rather than the immunomodulatory effect of Methylprednisolone. To study BBB function, we will use dynamic contrast MRI (dcMRI) as well as serum testing of several brain-specific or brain- enriched proteins. To investigate this further, I aim to recruit patients from the Refractory Epilepsy Clinic who will be receiving a course of intravenous Methylprednisolone for highly refractory epilepsy and investigate their BBB function using dcMRI and BBB serum marker testing. |
The UCD Intern Network is pleased to welcome the UCD Academic Track interns for 2022-2023.
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Dr Michael Keane Project Title: ‘Neural Correlates of Executive Dysfunction in People with Obesity’ Academic Track Project Supervisor: Professor Donal O Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist, Head of the Obesity Research Group, St Vincent’s University Hospital |
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Dr Sorcha Murray Project Title: ‘The impact of Dupilumab on Quality of Life in patients with atopic dermatitis – a qualitative study’ Academic Track Project Supervisor: Professor Anne-Marie Tobin, Professor in Clinical Medicine Trinity College Dublin and Clinical Lead National Dermatology Programme Health Service Executive |
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Dr Robert Power Project Title: ‘Non-genetic cancer risk factors among Irish individuals with Lynch syndrome: a cross sectional study’ Academic Track Project Supervisor: Professor Maeve Lowery, Professor of Translational Cancer Medicine at Trinity College Dublin and Consultant Medical Oncologist at St James's Hospital |
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Dr Emily Panteli Project Title: ‘Eye-Tracking Technology as an Adjunct in the education of Paediatric Trainees to identify abnormal head shapes associated with non-syndromic craniosynostosis’ Academic Track Project Supervisor: Mr. Dylan Murray, Consultant Craniofacial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, National Paediatric Craniofacial Centre, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street and the Department of Plastic Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Clinical Lead at the National Paediatric Craniofacial Centre |
DML/UCD Academic Track Internship, 2022-2023
UCD Clinical Trials Masterclass
The UCD Clinical Trials Masterclass was held on Saturday, 01 October. This Masterclass was facilitated by the UCD Intern Network in conjunction with the UCD Clinical Research Centre supporting the UCD Academic Track Intern Programme and included Academic Track interns from across the six intern networks in Ireland who attended this event as they embark on their Academic Track Programme which commenced on July 2022.
Topics and Speakers included:
L - R: Dr Ray Abbas, NUIG Academic Track Intern, Dr Muhammad Muneeb Umar, UCD Intern, Dr Rachel Power, RCSI Academic Track Intern, Dr Sadbh O Connor, NUIG Academic Track Intern, Dr Sian McGarel, NUIG Academic Track Intern, Dr Conor Fitzmaurice, RSCI Academic Track Intern, Dr Emily Panteli, UCD Academic Track Intern, Dr Robert Power, UCD Academic Track Intern, Dr Aoibhinn McCool UL Academic Track Intern, Dr Alannah Grealy, TCD Academic Track Intern, Dr Glen Curtin, UL Academic Track Intern, Dr Aidan Kelly, TCD Academic Track Intern, Dr Annie Duffy, RCSI Academic Track Intern, Dr Kate Coakley, UCC Academic Track Intern, Dr Róisin McDonnell, UCC Academic Track Intern
R: Dr Deborah Wallace, Assistant Professor in Clinical Research, UCD School of Medicine
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| L-R: Dr Deborah Wallace, Assistant Professor in Clinical Research, UCD School of Medicine, Dr Aidan Kelly, TCD Academic Track Intern, Dr Alannah Grealy, TCD Academic Track Intern | L-R: Dr Deborah Wallace, Assistant Professor in Clinical Research, UCD School of Medicine, Dr Róisin McDonnell, UCC Academic Track Intern, Dr Kate Coakley, UCC Academic Track Intern |
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| L-R: Dr Deborah Wallace, Assistant Professor in Clinical Research, UCD School of Medicine, Dr Sadbh O Connor, NUIG Academic Track Intern, Dr Sian McGarel, NUIG Academic Track Intern, Dr Ray Abbas, NUIG Academic Track Intern | L-R: Dr Deborah Wallace, Assistant Professor in Clinical Research, UCD School of Medicine, Dr Aoibhinn McCool UL Academic Track Intern, Dr Glen Curtin, UL Academic Track Intern |
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| L-R: Dr Deborah Wallace, Assistant Professor in Clinical Research, UCD School of Medicine, Dr Emily Panteli, UCD Academic Track Intern, Dr Robert Power, UCD Academic Track Intern | L-R: Dr Deborah Wallace, Assistant Professor in Clinical Research, UCD School of Medicine, Dr Conor Fitzmaurice, RSCI Academic Track Intern, Dr Rachel Power, RCSI Academic Track Intern, Dr Annie Duffy, RCSI Academic Track Intern |
L-R: UCD Academic Track Interns Dr Emily Panteli, UCD Academic Track Intern, Dr Robert Power, UCD Academic Track Intern
L-R: NUIG interns Dr Sadbh O Connor, NUIG Academic Track Intern, Dr Sian McGarel, NUIG Academic Track Intern, Dr Ray Abbas, NUIG Academic Track Intern
L-R: RCSI interns Dr Conor Fitzmaurice, RSCI Academic Track Intern, Dr Rachel Power, RCSI Academic Track Intern, Dr Annie Duffy, RCSI Academic Track Intern
L-R: UCC interns Dr Róisin McDonnell, UCC Academic Track Intern, Dr Kate Coakley, UCC Academic Track Intern
L-R: TCD interns Dr Aidan Kelly, TCD Academic Track Intern, Dr Alannah Grealy, TCD Academic Track Intern
L-R: UL interns Dr Aoibhinn McCool UL Academic Track Intern, Dr Glen Curtin, UL Academic Track Intern
Professor Donal O Shea, UCD Intern Network Coordinator would like to extend his thanks to all who participated in the event and to Professor Peter Doran, Director of the Clinical Research Centre and his colleagues for their valuable input and expertise in this subject area.
Details on the UCD Academic Track Programme can be found here.
The UCD Clinical Trials Masterclass open to all Academic Track interns nationally is on Saturday, 01st October 2022 at the Catherine McAuley Education & Research Centre, Nelson Street, Dublin 7. This Masterclass is facilitated by the UCD Intern Network in conjunction with the UCD Clinical Research Centre and will include Academic Track interns from across the six intern networks in Ireland as they embark upon their Academic Track Programme which commenced on July 11th, 2022.
Further details regarding the UCD academic track rotations for 2023 - 2024 will be released shortly.
The UCD Clinical Trials Masterclass open to all Academic Track interns nationally was held on Saturday, 25 September 2021 at the Catherine McAuley Education & Research Centre, Nelson Street, Dublin 7. This Masterclass was facilitated by the UCD Intern Network in conjunction with the UCD Clinical Research Centre supporting the UCD Academic Track Intern Programme and included Academic Track interns from across the six intern networks in Ireland who attended this event as they embark on their Academic Track Programme which commenced on July 5th, 2021.
Topics and Speakers included:
The masterclass covered topics such as Drug Discovery and Development, Preclinical Trials & Trial Designs by Dr Deborah Wallace, Clinical Research Tutor, UCD Clinical Research Centre, Knowledge Generation by Professor Peter Doran, Director, UCD Clinical Research Centre and Statistical Considerations- Hypothesis Testing, Power, Sample Size & Randomisation/ Blinding by Dr Marie Galligan, Clinical Research Tutor, UCD Clinical Research Centre.
