Associate Professor Triona Mc Caffrey, joint winner of the Presidents Research Excellence and Impact Early Career Researcher – Starting Award 2025

In this episode we hear from Triona Mc Caffrey, Associate Professor of music therapy, at the Irish world academy of music and dance, a member of the Participatory Health research Unit, and the Health Research Institute here at the University of Limerick. We discuss Triona’s research primarily focused on music, and music therapy for mental wellbeing, with a specific focus on adult and perinatal mental health. Triona has spearheaded interdisciplinary research across Music Therapy, midwifery, psychiatry, and obstetrics with a strong emphasis on Public and Patient Involvement (PPI).

Triona is joined by Maria Gibbons, Advanced Midwife Practitioner, with the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Team, at the University Maternity Hospital Limerick. Triona’s pioneering collaborations with University Maternity Hospital Limerick has led to the first music therapy programme in specialist perinatal, mental health services in Ireland, this programme has been commended by the Department of Health. Listen to this in-depth conversation on how music therapy is instrumental in supporting parents connecting with their babies positively impacting infant wellbeing.

Recorded by GKMedia.ie

Associate Professor, Bar Mosevitzky Lis, President's Research Excellence and Impact Early Career Researcher – Starting Award Winner 2025

In this episode Associate Professor Bar Mosevitzky Lis Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering and a member of the Bernal Institute, discusses his research which is driven by examining catalysts, using in situ techniques, capturing catalysts in action which is essential in uncovering true performance drivers and guiding rational design.

He discusses receiving a prestigious Research Ireland Frontiers of the Future Program Award, funding his research in understanding and optimising catalysts for the production of ammonia, a key chemical whose production is responsible for ~2% of all greenhouse gasses worldwide, and which is key to feeding ~50% of the world’s population. Bar's scientific research is tackling grand challenges while he is also actively building collaborations with European industry and co-chairing the revitalised Irish Catalysis Society.

Recorded by GKMedia.ie

Professor Karen Mc Creesh, President's Research Excellence and Impact, Early Career Researcher Consolidator Award Winner 2025

In this episode we hear from Professor Karen Mc Creesh, Professor of Physiotherapy at the School of Allied Health, a Member of the Ageing Research Centre and the Health Research Institute at the University of Limerick. Karen discusses her research, which is driven by the goal of transforming care for people with musculoskeletal pain, particularly shoulder pain and chronic pain, by advancing effective, non-surgical treatment options. This work has provided new insights into the mechanisms and treatment of shoulder pain, along with deeper insights into the lived experiences of people with pain.

Karen is joined by Martina Phelan, Chairperson of Chronic Pain Ireland and Ryan Meaney, Physical Activity for Health Officer, Limerick Sports Partnership who are collaborators on Karen’s most recent research project: The “Community Based exercise for chronic pain” COM EX. This study focussed on providing group exercise classes, tailored to the needs of older adults living with chronic pain, in their own communities. Listen to the impact of the research, the learnings and hear from the collaborators about their positive experience, shaping future research with exercise projects.

Recorded by GKMedia.ie