University of Limerick

Damien Thompson is Professor of Molecular Modelling in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Director of SSPC, The Research Ireland Centre for Pharmaceuticals. He leads a research team, in computational design of structured materials at the Bernal Institute at the University of Limerick. In this episode Damien discusses the importance of research collaboration and the impact of his research, tackling the grand challenges of health and sustainability, focussing on his researcher journey and how UL provides the supportive environment to allow his research to evolve. Recorded by GKMedia.ie

Dr Tadhg Kennedy, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Bernal Institute – winner of the Early Career Researcher – Consolidator Award 2023. Since 2016 Tadhg has established a well-funded group, securing  more than €5 million in funding. Notably, €2.14 million has been granted directly to Tadhg as the principal investigator, highlighting the proficiency of his research in his field. The central theme of Tadhg’s research revolves around nanostructured materials for high-performance batteries. Tadhg began his career with some groundbreaking work involving germanium nanowire lithium-ion battery anodes, which exhibited a threefold capacity increase compared to conventional graphite-based anodes. Tadhg’s current work outlined in this podcast is to develop a low-cost, high-performance sodium-ion smart battery system for residential energy storage. Listen to Tadhg discuss the importance of his research in the development of clean energy enabling the fight against climate change.

Up to 45% of us will get knee osteoarthritis in our lifetime, yet it is often not prioritised, people with joint disease are being under-served in terms of delivery of evidence-based rehabilitation in the form of exercise and education, particularly for hip and knee osteoarthritis. Evidence suggests that exercise and education is very effective for people with osteoarthritis but often patients feel like they are directed more towards medications and surgical opinions, sometimes due to lack of available services. The GLA:D programme is a group-based programme that aims to aid these patients and improve their general health through exercise and education. Dr. Clodagh Toomey, Research Fellow, at the School of Allied Health, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences and winner of the Presidents Excellence and Impact Early Career Researcher – Starting Award 2023 discusses her research and her group’s implementation of the GLAS:D programme with collaborators, Ian Dowling, a Chartered Physiotherapist working in private practice from his clinic based in Raheen, Limerick, Ian retired from professional rugby after suffering a hip injury while playing for Munster. Also joining is Stacey Grealis, who lives with Rheumatic Muscular Disease and is a patient researcher and patient contributor on numerous research projects in this field.Recorded by GKMedia.ie

The Ageing Research Centre members are winners of the UL Presidents Research Excellence and Impact Outstanding Research Collaboration Award for 2023. The Ageing Research Centre (ARC) comprises an interdisciplinary group of academic researchers across the University of Limerick, external academic collaborators, clinical collaborators and a Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) panel of older adults and family caregivers who share a common focus on ageing research. Research from the Ageing Research Centre has been instrumental in driving the adoption and integration of innovative health novel care models for older adults and their family caregivers. This research has played a pivotal role in shaping national policies pertaining to health and social care for older adults. On this podcast we are joined by members of the ARC along with patient participants who have helped to shape the research and the direction of the centre.Recorded by GKMedia.ie