Welcome to The Irish Association of Pharmacology (IAP), a distinguished organization dedicated to representing Pharmacology and Therapeutics on the island of Ireland. Founded in the mid-1990s by the esteemed late Professor John Feely, a visionary researcher and clinician, the IAP remains committed to fostering the advancement of pharmacology locally and globally.
In 2016, the IAP gained formal recognition as an unincorporated association, solidifying its status as a reputable and influential entity within the field. Building upon the remarkable legacy of Professor Feely, our association strives to honor his ambitions and unwavering dedication to the development of pharmacology.
Our Future Aims
Advancing Pharmacology Research: We wholeheartedly promote both basic and clinical pharmacology research throughout the island of Ireland, fostering scientific discoveries that drive medical advancements and improve patient outcomes.
Facilitating Exchange and Collaboration: We provide a dynamic platform for scientists in Pharmacology & Therapeutics, as well as allied disciplines in research and industry, to exchange knowledge, ideas, and collaborate on innovative projects
Forging International Connections: As a member of esteemed international associations, we open doors to global forums and contacts, facilitating research, development, and fruitful international collaborations for our esteemed members.
Advocacy for Positive Change: By becoming an effective advocate for the field, we champion the interests of pharmacologists and promote policies that drive progress, improve healthcare, and contribute to the betterment of society.
Monica de Gaetano is an Assistant Professor in Pharmacology and a Principal Investigator of the Diabetes Complications Research Centre (DCRC) at University College Dublin. After obtaining her BSc in the School of Pharmacy in Italy, she moved to Ireland to pursue a PhD in Molecular Medicine and a PD training in Medicinal Chemistry. Her teaching consists in basic and advanced pharmacology, with a focus on cardiovascular and renal pharmacology, and on drug discovery and development, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. She is an international leader in Resolution Pharmacology, with a long-standing interest in the biology of the monocyte-macrophage-foam cell axis, in the context of progression and regression of atherosclerosis, where she has given an important contribution to characterise the plasticity of such pivotal cell axis. Her research is currently focusing on identifying novel theranostics for chronic macrovascular diseases. She coordinated a translational screening programme, through which she set up an in vitro platform for drug candidate discovery, as well as a robust ex vivo model of atherosclerosis. She has patented two novel molecules with pro-resolving properties in the context of vascular inflammation. Her research group in the UCD Conway Institute is currently focused on tackling the ‘residual inflammatory risk’ in sub-cohorts of diabetes-associated atherosclerotic patients, in order to better tailoring therapeutic interventions.
More recently, she gained interest in exploring the delivery of resolving molecules to the site of inflammation, via lipid nano particles-based systems, with the idea -in future- to design a site-specific drug delivery to macrophages in athero-prone regions of the vessel walls.
Dr Cormac Kennedy is currently a Consultant Clinical Pharmacologist and Physician at St James Hospital as well as a Clinical Senior Lecturer at Trinity College Dublin. His experience gives him a perspective of the journey of medicines from the bench to the bedside including the pharmaceutical, regulatory, economic, policy and clinical contexts. Cormac is a graduate of UCD Medical School and the School of Pharmacy Trinity College. He completed a PhD at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the product of which was subsequently patented.
He received a HSE-NDTP Management and Leadership Scholarship to undertake a Masters in Health Economics, Outcomes and Management at the London School of Economics and was awarded a Distinction. Recently, he completed a Masters in Clinical Trials at Oxford University. His clinical interests include the specialist treatment of hypertension and lipid disorders and he has presented internationally and published in these areas. His other research interests are across a spectrum of areas related to medicines including pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacoeconomics and appropriate drug usage.
Dr Aisling Heeran obtained a B.Sc. in Pharmacy and M.Pharm from RCSI. Following this she completed an M.Sc. in Translational Oncology from Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Aisling was awarded an Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship to complete a Ph.D. on radiation bystander events in gastrointestinal cancers in TCD. After completing her Ph.D., Aisling continued her research in gastrointestinal cancers, specifically examining the role of FKBPL across the Barrett’s oesophagus to oesophageal adenocarcinoma disease progression. Aisling is now a Lecturer in Pharmacy in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences in RCSI and the International College for Pharmaceutical Innovation, SUDA, Suzhou, China.
Treasurer :Orla Murphy
Orla brings over 30 years of financial management experience to the Irish Association of Pharmacologists. She currently serves as Office Manager and Finance Specialist at the Conway Institute, University College Dublin. Orla holds a Business Degree, a Certificate in Public Procurement, a UCD Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Practice Management, and is a member of the Institute of Banking.
With extensive experience in financial administration within the academic sector, she is committed to supporting the Association’s financial governance and long-term sustainability.
Dr Seema Nathwani is a Teaching Fellow in Pharmacology in the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences at University College Dublin (UCD), where she teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate modules. Her academic background is in pharmacology and toxicology, with research and teaching interests spanning drug development, cellular toxicity and the molecular mechanisms of disease. She is also interested in education-focused research, particularly in developing innovative teaching strategies that support learning in biomedical disciplines.
Alongside her academic work, Seema is actively involved in initiatives that strengthen collaboration within the pharmacology and biomedical sciences community. She is particularly interested in building partnerships that connect academia, industry and professional organisations to support education, research and early-career development. In addition to her role as Sponsorship and Partnership Manager for the Irish Association of Pharmacologists, she is also a committee member of the Irish Society of Toxicology.
Executive Committee
Professor David Williams (Past President, Advisor) Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Professor of Stroke Medicine and National Specialty Director for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. His research focuses on stroke medicine, hypertension, and patient safety. He co-directs the Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) Programme and the Irish Stroke Clinical Trials Network (SCTNI).
Professor Steven Kerrigan (Advisor) Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Professor of Precision Therapeutics and Deputy Head of the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at RCSI. His translational pharmacology research has identified novel therapeutic and diagnostic targets in sepsis, and he is Founder/CEO of Inthelia Therapeutics.
Professor Christian Waeber (Past President, Advisor) University College Cork Professor Waeber’s research explores sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor signalling and its neuroprotective potential in stroke and brain injury. His work advances understanding of preconditioning, neuroprotection, and immune regulation in stroke outcomes.
Professor Martina Hennessy (Advisor) Trinity College Dublin / St James’s Hospital Clinical Pharmacologist and Consultant Physician with expertise in hypertension and cardiovascular risk. She is Director of the Wellcome-HRB Clinical Research Facility and Chief Academic Officer for the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, leading research and education integration.
Ms Natalie O’Regan (Past Treasurer, Advisor) University College Cork Natalie O’Regan is an Executive Assistant in the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics at University College Cork. She has supported the Irish Association of Pharmacologists (IAP) for over five years in an administrative capacity and previously served as Treasurer of the Association. Natalie is currently a member of the IAP Executive Committee, where she continues to contribute to the coordination of the Association’s activities and events.
Mr Luke Conroy (Student Representative) Details forthcoming.
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