Dr Mihalis Doumas

Dr Mihalis Doumas is a Reader in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast, where he has worked since 2011. An experimental psychologist, his research examines how proprioception, vision, and the vestibular system work together to maintain standing balance, and how these processes change with age, Parkinson’s disease, and autism. He is committed to ensuring that this research makes a practical difference to people’s everyday lives. Mihalis also serves on the editorial boards of Human Movement Science and Brain Sciences.

Outside of his academic work, Mihalis is a trade union activist and enjoys boxing and travel.

Within PD-Life, Mihalis is Project Co-Lead, Northern Ireland Lead, and Principal Investigator. He is particularly involved in Work Package 5 (Exercise and Dance), where he leads a feasibility pilot comparing dance and exercise, as well as cross-cutting work on data governance and interdependencies between work packages. He coordinates the PD-Life North team and, alongside Professor Suzanne Timmons, shares overall project leadership and co-chairs the Consortium Steering Committee.

Prof Suzanne Timmons

Prof Suzanne Timmons is the Principal Investigator for PD-Life in the South of Ireland.

Prof Timmons qualified from UCC and trained in Ireland, the UK and the US. Additional to her academic role, she is a geriatrician and works 50% clinically, in community based older person services, the acute hospital setting and in rehabilitation, with a particular interest in complex Parkinson's disease in older people, PD-dementia overlaps, and delirium. 

She is the Interim Head of the Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine since 2025. 

Having completed 24 years in Ulster University, Professor Condell’s research areas include digital intelligent/imaging technologies in wearables, security energy and associated application areas. She has UK/US patents filed and has completed trials with key industrial players in security product and wearables technologies; winning Innovation and Enterprise awards for commercialisation work (creativity and bio-entrepreneurship). She has recently completed a Fellowship with government central Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (Whitehall) and also with the Academy of Medical Sciences (alongside NIHR/Vivensa Foundation).

Professor Joan Condell has published over 250 papers and actively secured grants from external sources with a total project value over £100M. She is/has been principal and co-investigator on over 130 EU, national and regional projects across UK/Ireland and Europe; managing teams of PhD researchers and Research Associates. Joan contributes to a number of leadership programmes, mentoring and reviewing research cross-discipline with Research Councils, Intertrade Ireland, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, AMS and the Higher Education Authority.

Joan is contributing to understanding how technology may help people with Parkinsons’ Disease and leads the sustainability of the project work beyond the project lifetime.

I am an Associate Professor (Occupational Therapy) in the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). I have a PhD, MSc, MA, and a BSc.OT from TCD. I am a Fellow of TCD. I have also worked as a clinical specialist occupational therapist (2006-2011) and senior occupational therapist (2001-2006) in neurology.

My research interests are in life-limiting illness focused primarily on stakeholder need, care preferences and decision-making in palliative and supportive care; rehabilitative palliative care; neuropalliative care; cancer palliative care; neurorehabilitative care; and neurodegenerative disease.

A key focus of my research is centred on explaining key psycho-social factors which influence how people with life-limiting illness use services and make decisions about care.

Dr Foley is a co-lead on Work Package 6 and co-supervises a PhD student on this Work Package.

Dr Siobhán Fox is a Lecturer in the Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation in University College Cork. There, she is Programme Director for the MSc in Dementia and also contributes to the MSc Older Person Rehabilitation.

Dr Fox has a PhD in cognitive psychology. Her main research interests are in Parkinson’s disease, dementia, young onset dementia, healthy ageing, palliative care for people with neurological diseases, and health services research. Dr Fox has published a number of peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and presented at numerous conferences on these topics. She previously co-ordinated and co-authored the Irish National Guidelines for Palliative Care for People with Parkinson’s Disease.

Dr Siobhán Fox is co-lead on WP6, leading the investigation of the influence of culture across the PD life research projects. She is also involved in WP8, where she contributes to disseminating and communicating project activities.

Dr Loredana Frau is a Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin with a PhD in Neuroscience and a background in clinical neuropsychology. Originally from Sardinia, Italy, she spent more than a decade in clinical practice before moving into research.

Her work on Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia examines clinical phenotypes, cognition and mental health, with a focus on risk and protective factors such as cognitive reserve, biomarkers and environmental exposures. In PD-Life, she works closely with project partners, people living with Parkinson’s and their carers to ensure the research reflects their needs and priorities.

Loredana is motivated by the opportunity to develop evidence that can inform more personalised, inclusive and accessible mental health interventions. She hopes this work will also inform clinical practice and policy in Ireland and offer insights relevant to other countries.

Away from work, she enjoys travelling, contemporary art, post-punk gigs and Middle Eastern literature.

Loredana is a scientific co-lead of PD-Life’s mental health work package. She helps develop and coordinate research on mental health in people with Parkinson’s, examining its relationship with cognition and identifying potential risk and protective factors.

Donncha Hanna is Professor of Mental Health & Psychopathology in the School of Psychology, Queens University Belfast.

He has published widely on the risk and resilience factors associated with mental health following trauma and adversity.

He has particular interest in the measurement and modelling pf posttraumatic growth, psychosis, dissociation and related constructs.

Donncha has expertise in research methodology & psychometrics publishing best-selling books in this area. Over 50 doctoral students have successfully graduated under his supervision.

Donncha is leads the strand of PD-Life looking at the mental health priorities for people living with Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Alison Keogh is an Assistant Professor in Healthcare Innovation at Trinity College Dublin with a background in physiotherapy and human-centered design. Her research focuses on digital health solutions, implementation science, and patient and public involvement (PPIE) to improve remote patient monitoring and clinical outcomes.

She has authored dozens of peer-reviewed publications and secured significant funding from organizations such as the Health Research Board and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

She is also the academic lead of a postgraduate course in healthcare innovation in TCD.

Beyond her academic work, Dr. Keogh serves on the board of the Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry, and the scientific advisory board for Enoda Health.

She is also an accomplished elite international hockey umpire who officiated at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Alison is looking at the integration and use of technology within Parkinsons’ Disease.

I am a Professor of Social Psychology at QUB. My main research interests are around gender stereotypes and gender diversity, understanding attitudes towards equality initiatives, and gender intergroup contact.

I have a PhD from Georgia State University (USA) and was an Ambizione Fellow with the Swiss National Science Foundation at University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.

Prior to coming to QUB, I was an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University (USA).

I am involved in WP6 around gender and cultural factors in PD.

I also contribute to WP8 on Dissemination as a representative from QUB.

Dr Ruth McCullagh is a Senior Lecturer and Director of the MSc Physiotherapy programme at University College Cork (UCC). Before stepping into full-time teaching, she spent over two decades as a physiotherapist, supporting older adults and people living with neurological conditions stay active and independent in both hospitals and at home.

In 2018, Ruth completed her PhD on how additional exercise during hospital improves recovery and independence, and she joined UCC that same year as a founding member of its new MSc physiotherapy programme. Today, her research focused on engaging, effective exercise programmes for older adults and people living with Parkinson’s disease. She works closely with healthcare professionals, community leaders, and families to help people stay mobile, healthy, and socially connected.

Within PD-Life, Dr McCullagh leads the Exercise and Dance research group. She is leading a Cork-based trial exploring how behaviour changes techniques can help people build lasting physical activity habits. Her team is also looking into how exercise and dance, specifically different styles of dance, directly benefit people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Professor Gary Mitchell MBE is Professor of Nursing Education and Practice at Queen’s University Belfast and a registered nurse. He began his career in clinical nursing before moving into university education and research, with a particular interest in improving care and quality of life for older people and people living with long-term conditions.

His research includes Parkinson’s disease, dementia and delirium, palliative and end-of-life care, care homes, and the education of health and social care professionals. He is particularly interested in how research can address stigma, improve people’s experiences of care and support better everyday practice.

Gary leads the work on stigma within the All-Ireland PD-Life project, exploring how stigma affects people living with Parkinson’s and those close to them. Together, we are working to better understand these experiences and identify practical ways to reduce stigma and improve awareness, inclusion and support.

Dr David Mothersill is Assistant Professor and Programme Director of the MSc in Applied Clinical Neuropsychology in the Academic Unit of Neurology at Trinity College Dublin.

He completed a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience in the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. He subsequently lectured at the University of Galway, where he was Programme Director of the MSc in Clinical Neuroscience, and at the National College of Ireland in Dublin, where he was Programme Director of Psychology.

His research examines neuroimaging and cognitive functioning in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions. In 2022, he launched the Stigma and Mental Health Ireland (SAMI) Lab, which aims to improve understanding of and reduce public discrimination towards mental and neurological conditions.

He is the author of 56 peer-reviewed research articles, including 16 as first author or co-first author.

Within PD-Life, Dr Mothersill co-supervises PhD researcher Nicolas Andres Morales Valdes on the multi-site North–South collaborative study examining mental health and cognitive functioning among people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Shane O'Brien is CEO of Parkinson's Ireland, the national charity supporting people with Parkinson's and their loved ones across Ireland. He has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, leading organisational strategy, governance, service development, advocacy, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. He is also the Chairperson of the Board of the Disability Federation of Ireland.

Within PD-Life, Shane represents Parkinson's Ireland as a project partner and contributes to patient and public involvement (PPI), stakeholder engagement, dissemination activities, and strategic oversight. He works to ensure that the voices and experiences of people living with Parkinson's and their families are embedded throughout the project.

Shane has the lived experience of a neurological condition as he has epilepsy. Through PD-Life, he is excited to help bridge the gap between research, practice, and community needs to create lasting positive impact for people affected by Parkinson's.

Contributes to patient and public involvement, stakeholder engagement, dissemination activities, and strategic oversight. He works to ensure that the voices and experiences of people living with Parkinson's and their families are embedded throughout the project.

Dr Emma O' Shea

Dr Emma O' Shea is a lecturer at the Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation in the School of Medicine at University College Cork. She is a co-investigator, work package lead and PhD supervisor within PD-Life. Her roles include developing research training, supporting and mentoring early career researchers, and supporting dissemination and knowledge mobilisation and translation activities. 

Emma brings extensive experience in leading and conducting research on Parkinson’s, with a particular focus on people’s lived experiences, access to care and the development of responsive, person-centred services. She managed the national Mapping Parkinson’s study, which generated evidence used to advocate for an expansion of Parkinson’s nurse specialist provision in Ireland. She currently leads PD-Mind, a collaborative HRB-funded HRCI project exploring mental health care in Parkinson’s and developing practical resources to improve recognition and support within specialist services. PD-Mind is co-funded by Parkinson's Ireland as a charity partner.

Alongside her research, Emma plays an active role in advocacy and awareness-raising. She chairs Parkinson’s Ireland’s Research and Impact Committee and serves on Parkinson’s Europe’s Visibility and Awareness Committee. Through public talks, community outreach events and collaboration with advocacy organisations, she works to strengthen understanding of Parkinson’s and connect research with the priorities of people affected by the condition.

Dr Katie Pedlow a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at Ulster University, with a background in clinical physiotherapy, teaching and health research. My academic career has developed from a strong interest in neurological rehabilitation and how research can be used to improve the lives of people living with long-term health conditions. My doctoral research focused on rehabilitation following acquired brain injury, and this has provided a foundation for my ongoing work in neurological rehabilitation, physical activity and the use of technology within healthcare.

My research interests are centred on improving rehabilitation and supporting people to live well following neurological conditions, particularly stroke. I am especially interested in physical activity, rehabilitation technologies, virtual and digital approaches to healthcare, and how new technologies can be designed and introduced in ways that are useful and acceptable to patients and healthcare professionals. My research has included work on telerehabilitation following stroke, virtual reality, active gaming, physical activity and more recently the use of artificial intelligence within rehabilitation.

A key part of my academic work is ensuring that research is shaped by the people who will ultimately use it. I therefore have a strong interest in involving patients, service users, carers and healthcare professionals in the design and delivery of research. I also value collaboration across professions and disciplines and have been involved in a range of research, education and knowledge-sharing initiatives that bring together universities, healthcare services and members of the public.

Outside of work I love walking in the mountains with my family and 3 dogs. Fun fact - I love Flamingos!

Within PD-Life, Katy is contributing to understanding the mental health implications of living with Parkinsons’ Disease, supporting the network of early career researchers and training them, and disseminating and communicating project activities.

Dr Matthew Rodgers

Dr Matthew Rodger is senior lecturer in the School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast. He has over 20 years research experience studying action, skill learning, and movement rehabilitation.

His research looks at the science of how our senses help us to move and learn new skills. He also studies the applications of this science to try and improve movement challenges, particularly those associated with Parkinson's.

Fun fact: Matthew once played Brian May in a Queen tribute act called 'Freddie and the Mercuries'!

Matthew Rodger is most involved in the research on stigma, and dance and exercise, as well as leading the early career researchers in the project in terms of skills development and collaborations.

Dr Salvatore Tedesco is a Lecturer in the School of Computer Science and Information Technology at University College Cork and an Academic Member of Tyndall National Institute.

He specialises in wearable and pervasive computing, edge intelligence, and applied AI, translating advanced sensing and data technologies into practical solutions for healthcare, wellbeing, sport, agriculture, and Industry 4.0.

Previously, Salvatore was a Senior Scientist and Team Leader with Tyndall National Institute’s Wireless Sensor Networks Group, where he led a multidisciplinary team working on wearable systems and data analytics. He has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications, secured over €2 million in competitive research funding as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator, and led or managed more than 40 industry and research projects.

He holds a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from UCC, alongside degrees in Information Technology and Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Salento, Italy.

I mostly focus on the technology aspects related to the projects (i.e., wearable devices, AI, motion analysis, etc).