Celebrating a Year of Progress at the CoMH College Assembly 2025

17 Dec 2025

The CoMH 2025 College Assembly took place today, bringing together colleagues from across the College to reflect on a year of significant achievements.

Led by Head of College, Professor Helen Whelton, the Assembly welcomed 90 colleagues to BHSC G05, with over 60 colleagues joining us online. Professor Whelton reflected on what has been a very successful year, highlighting the collective achievements of our Schools, staff, researchers and students, acknowledging the talent, dedication and collaboration that underpin this continuing success.

Áine Foley, College Finance Business Manager, delivered a detailed overview of the College’s financial position.Professor Whelton was joined by speakers who shared powerful stories of impact with colleagues. Professor Mohamad Saab spoke about the TRANSCEND-XR project, Professor Roisin Connolly highlighted developments in Cancer Care in Cork, and Dr Mark O’Sullivan presented on Neurobell. Together, their contributions showcased the breadth of innovation, research excellence and real-world impact taking place across the College.

The College’s many successes over the past year were proudly shared with colleagues including:

• The UCC team was announced as winners at the final of the All-Ireland Interprofessional Healthcare Challenge (AIPEC), reflecting excellence in collaborative, patient-centred healthcare education.
• Significant research funding successes were also highlighted. Public Health and INFANT secured €5 million in Horizon Europe funding for the LINDA-FAMILIA project, focused on developing digital health systems for maternal and child infectious diseases across East Africa.
• Professor Mohamad Saab, coordinating 15 international partners, secured €6 million in Horizon Europe funding for TRANSCEND-XR, using extended reality to support young testicular cancer survivors.
• Innovation and commercialisation continue to thrive across the College. INFANT spin-out CergenX received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its Wave device, designed to identify newborns at risk of brain injury, and was accepted into the FDA’s Total Product Lifecycle Advisory Program.
• ProVasTec, a spin-out led by Professors Noel Caplice and Subrata Ghosh, secured €2.5 million in Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) support with Arrotek Medical, while INFANT also partnered in the €10.7 million CanVas consortium advancing cell therapies for early brain injury.

The Assembly also marked key strategic and institutional milestones:

• Prof Whelton outlined significant progress in the development of an Academic Health Sciences System. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed to establish a co-located Academic Health Sciences System R&D office, streamlining supports for collaborative research between UCC and the HSE.
• The UCC/CUH Cancer Centre achieved designation as an Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) Cancer Centre, recognising excellence across care, research and education.
• In addition, Athena Swan Bronze Awards were renewed for the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, Public Health, and the Dental School and Hospital.

This year has been especially busy across the University, with the introduction of UCC’s refreshed brand and visual identity, and it was heartening to see colleagues across the College embrace this exciting development.

As we approach the festive season, CoMH extends sincere thanks to all colleagues and collaborators acknowledging their commitment, energy and impact throughout 2025.

Wishing everyone a joyful festive season and a healthy, successful 2026.

Nollaig shona agus Athbhliain faoi shíocháin agus áthas oraibh!