NBCI Inaugural Event & NEPTuNE’s September 2019 Study Day

TCD was host to NEPTuNE’s September 2019 Study Day. Scholars, Tim Hurley, Megan Dibble and Chelo del Rosario enjoyed the elaborate surroundings of Trinity’s Museum Building where NEPTuNE’s 4th Study Day was extended to include the Neonatal and Children’s Brain Consortium of Ireland Inaugural event.

The Study Day’s prerogative is to provide Tim, Megan, Diona, Chelo and Andreea with insightful and challenging workshops, lectures or experiences to broaden their insight into different aspects of NE.  To this end it, the programme combined the day with the NBCI’s series of talks from experts in the field of neonatology and obstetrics.

NEPTuNE scholars, PIs and programme partners gather for Study Day Sept 2019

After a quick group photo, our five scholars gave their individual project presentations. Professors Eleanor Molloy, Arun Bokde, Dr Jean Quigley, along with NEPtuNE partners, Dr Mark Watson (CRDI), Mandy Daly (INHA – PPI) and Paul Ryan (PPI) had questions and feedback for each of the scholars. We are particularly grateful to our PPIs Mandy Daly (INHA) and Paul Ryan for joining us for this session. Their commitment to the programme is remarkable and scholars benefit greatly from their input and feedback at these sessions.

After lunch, scholars attended a the NBCI inaugural event which was opened by Dr Darrin Morrissey, Chief Executive, HRB, who spoke about the HRB vision for research funding. He was followed by Professor Geraldine Boylan (UCC) who spoke about the benefits of networks such as the NBCI and described the National Paediatric Clinical Research Network – In4Kids. Dr Sabina Brennan spoke about effective dissemination of research and about providing informative support to patients at vital times of their child’s treatment. This was exemplified very well in the wonderful Therapeutic Hypothermia and NICU animations that she has produced with KEDS funding and which were being formally launched at the event. Mandy Daly (INHA), spoke movingly of her own personal experience of the NICU and the longterm impacts that a premature birth has had on her family. Clinical Director of the HSE’s National Women and Infants’ Health Programme presented an insight in maternity services from an obstetrics perspective. Consultant neonatologist, Dr  John Murphy gave a fascinating talk explaining the positive impact of Therapeutic Hypothermia on infants and the improvement in outcome for infants since its introduction as a treatment.

Finally, before a well deserved coffee break, Professor Eleanor Molloy explained the purpose and objective of the NBCI which is to bring all aspects of neonatal and paediatric brain research together for stronger advocacy in this area.