Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network wins 2021 UCD Research Impact Award
Posted 1 March, 2022
This year's winner of the UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition is the (opens in a new window)Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network, led by (opens in a new window)Professor Alistair Nichol, for its work on improving outcomes for those critically ill patients with COVID-19.
The Network has carried out significant clinical research in preparation for, and in response to, the pandemic, and through a series of collaborative networks of hospitals across 63 countries, it has had a profound impact on patients with COVID-19, their families, and wider society.
Its work informed HSE and WHO treatment guidelines for the clinical management of severe COVID-19 infection, helping to save thousands of lives and ICU bed days by identifying treatments that improve patient survival and recovery, as well as identifying those that are ineffective or even harmful.
Read more about the Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network's case study impact here: Improving outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19.
“I am always impressed with the quality of the applications we receive and this year was no exception,” said (opens in a new window)Professor Orla Feely, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact.
“Among this year’s finalists we have researchers helping to tackle the ongoing pandemic, protect the environment, enrich people’s lives, influence policy, simulate sustainable economic growth, improve health and wellbeing, and inspire the next generation.
“I would like to congratulate all of our finalists. Their commitment to ensuring people benefit from their research is admirable and I am delighted to be able to recognise it through these awards.”
The 2021 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition runners-up were:
- Coastal Communities Adapting Together, led by Dr Chiara Cocco.
Supporting climate action through tree planting - Dr Keith Gaynor
Helping people cope during COVID-19 - Professor Judith Harford, Assistant Professor Rachel Farrell, and Assistant Professor Aoibhínn Ní Shúilleabháin
Girls in STEM: changing attitudes and increasing diversity - Dr Claas Kirchhelle
Typhoidland: using the past to inform the present and future of typhoid control - Professor Patricia Maguire
AI_PREMie: saving lives of mothers and babies using AI - Dr Denise O’Brien, Sinead Thompson, Lorraine Carroll, Dr Barbara Coughlan
The Labour Hopscotch Framework: improving outcomes for mother and baby - Dr Shane O’Donnell
#WeAreNotWaiting: tackling diabetes through patient-led research and open-source innovation - Associate Professor Helen Sheridan, Professor Tommy Boland, Professor Olaf Schmidt, Associate Professor Bridget Lynch, and Assistant Professor Paul Murphy
SmartGrass: improving the sustainability of livestock farming - Professor Eleni Theodoraki
Promoting policies for sustainable mega-sport events - Associate Professor Liam Thornton
Ending direct provision
Professor Feely added: “I encourage all researchers to consider entering this year’s competition when it launches in the spring.
“To help you reflect on your impact and write a compelling entry we invite you to explore the UCD Impact Toolkit.”
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations (with materials from Caroline Byrne, UCD Research and Innovation)
