University of Limerick

Dr Tadhg Kennedy, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Bernal Institute – winner of the Early Career Researcher – Consolidator Award 2023. Since 2016 Tadhg has established a well-funded group, securing  more than €5 million in funding. Notably, €2.14 million has been granted directly to Tadhg as the principal investigator, highlighting the proficiency of his research in his field. The central theme of Tadhg’s research revolves around nanostructured materials for high-performance batteries. Tadhg began his career with some groundbreaking work involving germanium nanowire lithium-ion battery anodes, which exhibited a threefold capacity increase compared to conventional graphite-based anodes. Tadhg’s current work outlined in this podcast is to develop a low-cost, high-performance sodium-ion smart battery system for residential energy storage. Listen to Tadhg discuss the importance of his research in the development of clean energy enabling the fight against climate change.

Up to 45% of us will get knee osteoarthritis in our lifetime, yet it is often not prioritised, people with joint disease are being under-served in terms of delivery of evidence-based rehabilitation in the form of exercise and education, particularly for hip and knee osteoarthritis. Evidence suggests that exercise and education is very effective for people with osteoarthritis but often patients feel like they are directed more towards medications and surgical opinions, sometimes due to lack of available services. The GLA:D programme is a group-based programme that aims to aid these patients and improve their general health through exercise and education. Dr. Clodagh Toomey, Research Fellow, at the School of Allied Health, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences and winner of the Presidents Excellence and Impact Early Career Researcher – Starting Award 2023 discusses her research and her group’s implementation of the GLAS:D programme with collaborators, Ian Dowling, a Chartered Physiotherapist working in private practice from his clinic based in Raheen, Limerick, Ian retired from professional rugby after suffering a hip injury while playing for Munster. Also joining is Stacey Grealis, who lives with Rheumatic Muscular Disease and is a patient researcher and patient contributor on numerous research projects in this field.Recorded by GKMedia.ie

The Ageing Research Centre members are winners of the UL Presidents Research Excellence and Impact Outstanding Research Collaboration Award for 2023. The Ageing Research Centre (ARC) comprises an interdisciplinary group of academic researchers across the University of Limerick, external academic collaborators, clinical collaborators and a Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) panel of older adults and family caregivers who share a common focus on ageing research. Research from the Ageing Research Centre has been instrumental in driving the adoption and integration of innovative health novel care models for older adults and their family caregivers. This research has played a pivotal role in shaping national policies pertaining to health and social care for older adults. On this podcast we are joined by members of the ARC along with patient participants who have helped to shape the research and the direction of the centre.Recorded by GKMedia.ie

Arts-based health programmes that combine arts with science can enhance the physical and psychosocial health and wellbeing of older people. This podcast discusses the benefits of music and dance for older adults and in particular their experience of the Music and Movement for Health study which examined the feasibility and potential for benefit of such programmes in Ireland. The primary aim of the study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the study design and the Music and Movement for Health programme. The secondary aim was to obtain preliminary evidence of effect of the programme on health and wellbeing of older adults. The researchers describe the aims, process and key learnings from the project and participants provide their experience of being part of the programme. The study was funded by Health Research Board as part of the Definitive Intervention and Feasibility Awards scheme.

This project creating bespoke breast prostheses for women post-mastectomy, using state of the art digital manufacturing aims to roll out this year and to be available nationally in all symptomatic breast clinics. Research Team Dr Lorraine Walsh, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Mater Private Network Limerick, and collaborator on the project; Siobhan Meaney, Clinical Lead at the Rapid Innovation Unit, in the University of Limerick, and one of the supervisors of the Breast Prosthesis Project; and EmmaJude Lyons, PhD Researcher, at the Rapid Innovation Unit, (RIU) in the University of Limerick discuss a first of its kind service globally, using 3D scanning and printing to improve the quality of life for survivors of breast cancer. A groundbreaking collaboration between the Rapid Innovation Unit at University of Limerick (UL), the Symptomatic Breast Care Unit at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), and the Mater Private Networks, Mid-Western Radiation Oncology Centre.Recorded by GKMedia.ie

March 2020 changed the lives of everyone around the around. We were all worried about the spread of COVID-19, fascinated with R number and hoping lockdowns would not last long.Working in the background was the UL team from MASCI (Mathematics Applications Consortium for Science and Industry) who as part of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group (IEMAG), provided expert advice, real-time information and forecast models to the Chief Medical Officer and NPHET.In this podcast you will hear from the award-winning UL team, led by MACSI Director Professor James Gleeson who developed the SEIR model, leading to the monitoring of restrictions, vaccinations and tracking the path of the virus throughout Ireland, disseminating findings to tackle real world problems.Former chair of IEMAG, Prof Philip Nolan discusses the importance of MACSI’s work the decision-making process to inform a national response to a global pandemic.Recorded by GKMedia.ie

Researchers at University of Limerick are designing advanced materials which can purify the air and our water. Meet Dr Soumya Mukherjee, President’s Research Excellence and Impact award winner who has established his own research group, “NanoSorb,.  With funding from Science Foundation Ireland,  NanoSorb is at the forefront in the development of energy-efficient porous materials, particularly those fostering environmental sustainability. 

University Maternity Hospital Limerick is the first in Ireland to offer music therapy within its maternity care services. Meet the team behind this innovative approach to supporting wellbeing during pregnancy, Dr Mas Mahady, Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Tríona McCaffrey, lecturer in Music therapy and Pui Sze Cheung, PhD researcher.   Based on feedback from women who took part in this study, the Department of Health have commended the innovative nature of this work awarding further funding to ensure that music therapy can now continue in our local maternity hospital. 

Global energy crisis has never been more critical in the race to deploy more electric vehicles, better utilise wind, solar and alternative energy solutions, many challenges emerge. Among them is the need for faster, smaller, and environmentally friendly battery technology. Meet Dr Hugh Geaney, President’s Research Excellence and Impact Award winner who is, taking on the global challenge of energy storage. Through advances in novel materials Dr Geaney’s research brings together discoveries in chemical synthesis, materials science, and electrochemistry to tackle the many challenges of energy storage.  

The term heroes have been widely used to describe those working in the frontline during the global Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Elaine Kinsella, President’s Research Excellence and Impact Award winner at University of Limerick and Dr Rachel Sumner, Cardiff Metropolitan University discuss their survey of these key workers, focussing on the wellbeing and attitudes of those working in the frontline, emergency workers and those working across service industries and how the heroes tag was viewed by those workers.