Launch of Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT-2) Programme
The Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT-2) Programme was officially launched by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday 14 October. This is the second phase of the cross border ICAT programme which will train 42 fellows over five years (2022 - 2027) in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine (five veterinary fellows are expected to participate) across six partner universities - University College Dublin, University of Galway, Trinity College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast, University College Cork and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. The current programme is hosted by the University of Galway and involves a funding package of €21.3 million, which includes €11m from the Health Research Board, as well as €10 million from the partner universities, the HSE National Doctors Training and Planning, the Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (NI), College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland, the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NI), and importantly for veterinary medicine, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Following discussions with some of the current ICAT fellows and introduction to members of the ICAT Executive Team, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: ‘Our Government is deeply committed to research and innovation and its role in the future of healthcare. Investment of this scale and with this strategic outlook will help to position Ireland as a place where top-class researchers and innovators are afforded the opportunity to strive for lasting, impactful change which tackle challenges of our time. The ICAT Programme has proven to be a catalyst for some of the brightest minds in healthcare and I am delighted to see the ambition in phase 2 of the programme.’ Professor Conall Dennedy of the ICAT Executive Team said: ‘This second phase of the Irish Clinical Academic Training programme is an opportunity for 42 fellows across medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine to become world class researchers in parallel with their clinical training, within a networked and collaborative environment. It is the vision of the programme to enhance the health of people in Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as animal welfare, embracing the principles of One Health. This large investment by the HRB, six partner universities and associates is critical to futureproofing the health of our nations.’
Photo 1: Dr Stephanie Bollard, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Professor Conall Dennedy with special guest Apollo.
Dr Stephanie Bollard is an ICAT Fellow in University College Dublin and Specialist Registrar in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. Her supervisory team includes Dr Pamela Kelly, Veterinary Pathologist, UCD; Professor Shirley Potter, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; and Professor Amanda McCann, Principal Investigator and Senior Conway Fellow in the UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research. Dr Bollard has a special interest in melanoma, which is a very aggressive form of skin cancer. It is very hard to predict how the cancer will progress in each patient and her PhD is focused on improving outcomes for patients with melanoma by personalising their management. Melanoma is also common in dogs and the project uniquely takes the approach of improving the health of both dogs and humans with melanoma by combining Dr Bollard’s skills in human medicine with the skills of veterinarians and basic scientists.
Photo 2: An Taoiseach Micheál Martin with members of the ICAT 2 Executive team (from left to right): Professor Conall Dennedy (University of Galway), Dr Karen Misstear (ICAT Programme Manager, TCD), Dr Richeal Ni Riordain (UCC), Professor Padraic Fallon (TCD), Mr Micheál Martin, Professor Ciarán Ó hOgartaigh (President of University of Galway), Professor Brian O’Connell (TCD), Dr Richard Turkington (QUB) and Professor Carmel T Mooney (UCD).
Photo credit: XPOSURE