Advancing Health: Celebrating Research, Innovation and Impact at the CoMH Research & Innovation Conference 2026

3 Sep 2026

The College of Medicine and Health hosted its Research and Innovation Conference on Wednesday, 2 September.

Under the theme ‘Advancing Health: Translating Discovery to Care’, the conference celebrated the breadth and quality of research and innovation taking place across the College and explored how research excellence can inform clinical practice, shape policy and deliver meaningful impact for patients and communities.

The College was delighted to welcome UCC President, Professor John O’Halloran, who delivered the opening address, commencing a vibrant and impactful day of research, discussion and collaboration.

Inspiring Insights from Invited Speakers

The conference welcomed three distinguished invited speakers who shared their expertise and perspectives on research, innovation and the translation of discovery into care - Professor Yvonne Nolan, Professor Finbarr Allen and Professor Geraldine Boylan.

Their presentations provided thought-provoking insights, encouraging discussion around the future of health research and its potential to improve patient care and outcomes.

The Latest Advances and Elevator Pitches sessions provided an opportunity to showcase research in two dynamic and engaging formats.

The Latest Advances sessions featured fast-paced, eight-minute research presentations, while the Elevator Pitches, engaging three-minute presentations, were designed to communicate the essence and impact of research in a concise and accessible format.

Professor Gerard O’Keeffe, Vice Head for Research and Innovation CoMH, commended the scale and quality of research showcased throughout the conference and highlighted the importance of collaboration in translating research into real-world impact.

In Conversation with Professor Helen Whelton

A particular highlight of the programme was ‘In Conversation with Professor Helen Whelton’, with Professor Whelton interviewed by Dr Louise Collins.

The engaging and entertaining conversation provided an insight into Professor Whelton’s distinguished career, her experiences across research and academic leadership, and the people and experiences that have helped shape her career. It was a fitting opportunity for colleagues to hear more about her contribution to research and innovation within the College and beyond.

Remembering Dr Ashleigh Byrne-O’Brien

The conference also provided an opportunity to fondly remember our colleague Dr Ashleigh Byrne-O’Brien, whose contribution to the College and commitment to supporting emerging researchers continues to be recognised.

The inaugural Dr Ashleigh Byrne-O’Brien Poster Prize was presented during the conference, alongside the inaugural Dr Ashleigh Byrne-O’Brien SURE Award (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Award).

The SURE Award was presented to Manya Gulati, School of Medicine.

Congratulations to our Prize Winners

Congratulations to all of the oral and poster presenters who contributed to the success of the conference, with particular congratulations to this year’s prize winners:

Connecting and Collaborating

The conference also provided valuable opportunities for networking, with a range of colleagues and partner organisations hosting stands throughout the day.

Thank You

A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to making the CoMH Research and Innovation Conference 2026 such a successful and memorable event.

We look forward to building on the connections, ideas and collaborations sparked throughout the day.

View the Programme of Events and the Book of Abstracts.