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College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are the European Union’s reference programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fund excellent research and innovation and equip researchers at all stages of their career with new knowledge and skills, through mobility across borders and exposure to different sectors and disciplines. MSCA are open to all domains of research and innovation and encourage international cooperation to set-up strategic collaborations.

See below a list of the supervisors particularly interested in hosting MSCA PF candidates.

Name of Supervisor	Research Areas	Proposed Projects	Postdoctoral Fellow Expertise	Additional Information
Dr. Sinéad Hynes	Improving the daily function and quality of life of people with neurological conditions, with particular focus on those living with multiple sclerosis and dementia, as well as those who support them. Keywords: multiple sclerosis; rehabilitation; public and patient involvement.	Cognitive Occupation-Based Intervention programme for people with Multiple Sclerosis; Core Outcome Set Development.	Expertise in trial management: trials methodology; outcome selection; group facilitation; evidence synthesis. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills; Excellent organisational and time management skills; Competence in experimental behavioural research	Please have a look at previous COB-MS publications for more information on the research area
Prof. Caroline McIntosh	Diabetic Foot Disease and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: wound healing, tissue viability and tissue repair, peripheral arterial disease, prevention of foot disease, psychosocial factors, motivational interviewing, randomised controlled trials of novel intervention for wound healing or prevention of foot ulcers, systematic reviews.	Can early detection of microangiopathy play a role in preventing diabetic foot ulcers?	Clinical background
Dr. Sanjeev Gupta	Endocrine Resistance in Breast Cancer	Targeting UPR to overcome endocrine resistance in breast cancer	Genomics, epigenetics and bioinformatics
Dr. Cynthia Coleman	Harnessing the basic biology of adult progenitor cells to understand the aetiology of pathology and to develop novel therapeutics. Active research investigations include examining the aetiology of diabetes-induced osteopathy and investigating the efficacy of coral as a bone graph substitute	This project aims to create a good manufacturing practice (GMP)-grade process supporting mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) expansion on novel coral-based scaffolds for orthopaedic applications. This research will address the following objectives: 1) Expand and characterize MSCs on coral carriers; 2) Assess the in vivo osteogenic capacity of MSCs following expansion on coral carriers.	Primary mammalian cell culture, understanding of progenitor cells, understanding of osteogenesis, familiarity with bioreactors
Dr. Declan McKernan	Regulation of inflammation. The role of neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration. The role of inflammation in psychosis.
Prof. David Finn	Chronic pain; Stress; Anxiety; Depression; Cannabinoids; Endocannabinoid System; Brain; Neuroscience; Neuropharmacology; Preclinical; Clinical and Translational Research.	(1) Analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of cannabinoids and other novel drugs and associated neurochemical/molecular mechanisms of action. (2) Identifying brain regions involved in analgesia. (3) Exploring the relationship between stress, fear and pain: the role of the endogenous cannabinoid and/or opioid receptor systems. (4) Co-morbidity of pain and stress-related psychiatric disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression). (5) Novel drug delivery systems for analgesics, including cannabinoids. (6) Development of new animal models and biomaterials-based approaches for understanding and treating pain.	Expertise in preclinical (i.e. basic science, rodent models) or human/clinical pain research, or related areas (e.g. neuropharmacology, psychopharmacology, neurophysiology etc).
Dr. Katarzyna Whysall	I study the therapeutic potential of microRNAs and oxidised microRNAs against muscle loss during ageing and disease, such as cachexia and ALS. We are also investigating the impact of COVID-19 on long-term muscle wasting and frailty. Finally, we study V-ATPase-related conditions with the aim of developing new interventions and potentially RNA therapies. Our research is funded by IRC, HRB and SFI.	MicroRNAs as therapeutic targets for muscle loss in ageing and disease	Skeletal muscle, molecular biology	https://universityofgalway.ie/galwayrna/
Prof. Saoirse Nic Gabhainn	Child and Adolescent Health, School Health Promotion, Child and Youth Participation, Policy Impact, Health Behaviours.	Promoting the policy impact of scientific research; Involving youth in research processes; Emerging issues in child and adolescent health.	English language (7 on IELTS), writing experience, analytical and methodological skills.	We have a vibrant, productive and friendly environment that is multidisciplinary and impact oriented.