Mary O'Regan Hyde (School of Nursing and Midwifery)
My name is Mary O'Regan Hyde and I am a fourth-year part-time PhD student in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health at University College Cork. In 2021, I was awarded a PhD scholarship within the Justice Cluster of Research.
My research explores how nurses coped both professionally and personally while managing caring responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this work, I aim to contribute to a greater understanding of the challenges experienced by nurses and to support future workforce wellbeing initiatives.
One of the key challenges of my PhD journey has been developing as a novice author and learning the publishing process. More recently, navigating the complexities of ethical applications and approvals has provided valuable learning opportunities and helped me grow as a researcher.
The support I have received throughout my studies has been instrumental to my progress. My supervisory team, including Dr Vera McCarthy, Dr Caroline Dalton O'Connor, Dr Angela Flynn, and Dr Aisling Murphy, have provided guidance, encouragement and expertise at every stage of my research journey.
The annual Progress Review Panels (PRPs), while initially daunting, have been an invaluable opportunity to reflect on my achievements, evaluate my progress and identify future goals. These reviews have supported both my personal and academic development and have helped me maintain focus throughout my PhD.
A particularly important aspect of my experience has been the support of fellow PhD students and peers. Their encouragement, shared experiences and understanding have been invaluable throughout my journey towards completing a PhD.
Caoimhe Lynch (Anatomy and Neuroscience)
From a young age, I have been fascinated by the human body and how its complex and diverse mechanisms work in concert to maintain homeostasis. Moreover, how these various mechanisms are influenced by an individual’s environment and how they differ in specific diseases and disorders. My passion for research fuels my desire to excel; I graduated top of a competitive undergraduate Biochemistry class at UCC and was awarded two Summer research bursaries in microbiota-gut-brain axis research.
Advancing my career, I am honoured to have the opportunity to complete a PhD in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience under the supervision of Prof. John Cryan and Dr Gerard Clarke. My PhD investigates the role of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in shaping myelination patterns during critical windows of early life. Indeed, the willingness, enthusiasm and support from staff and colleagues have not only enabled me to achieve my goals to date, but also allowed me to be involved in a variety of activities outside of the laboratory such as the CoMH student postgraduate committee. The skills I have developed during my studies have provided me with indispensable opportunities that help me understand, and hopefully, one day solve, the complex problems that face humanity. - Caoimhe Lynch
Welcome from Professor Elaine Lehane, Vice-Head of Graduate Studies
I am delighted to welcome you to the Graduate Studies website of the College of Medicine and Health (CoMH). If you are a current or prospective graduate student, you will find relevant information on this site.
Graduate Student Research at the College of Medicine and Health
The Graduate Studies team in the CoMH is committed to facilitating the highest quality experience for our graduate research students. A Student-Centred culture is promoted such that graduate research students are valued as emerging healthcare or health sciences professionals.
Lifelong and Life-wide learning for professional development is enabled through transferrable skills training modules, workshops, digital badge microcredentials and mentoring in line with the Irish University Association Graduate Skill’s statement. Particular attention is given to the professional and holistic development of graduates.
Supervisor support and training is also provided to underpin the high quality of research supervision for our research students. Shared responsibility and respect are central to the supervisor-student relationship. Overall, we are committed to the supporting our students to achieve and succeed in whatever area of education or research they are pursuing, including translation of learning into their work lives, and advancing their careers.
Supports available to Graduate Students in CoMH
As a graduate student in the CoMH you will be part of a vibrant scholarly community.
As well as the supervisory team, who are responsible for the overall direction of the graduate student’s research, committee groups are active in supporting graduate education.
1. The CoMH Graduate Committee has representation from the Schools and research Centres. We develop and implement activities for an optimal student experience in graduate education and provide strategic oversight of graduate education in the CoMH.
2. An active Postgraduate Student Committee is the voice of the graduate community. Students on the committee liaise with and listen to students in their Centre/School, organize social and academic events and lead initiatives important to the graduate student body.
If you are a current student or thinking about studying with us, I encourage you to avail of all the academic support and recreational resources provided for you. Enjoy the journey!
The Mission for Graduate Studies in the College of Medicine and Health
To advance curiosity-driven professionalism and research excellence for health-related global challenges, in a student-centred, respectful and inclusive environment.
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