IGHN Conference 2024 – Speakers

Irish Global Health Network Conference  

Fostering Humanity: Promoting Health Equity for a Better Planet 

Co-hosted with the RCSI Institute of Global Surgery  

02nd – 03rd October 2024  

CONFERENCE WEBPAGE REGISTER HERE

Meet the Speakers!

Day 1 Speakers
Juan Carlos Puyana O'Brien Chair of Global Surgery, School of Population Health at RCSI Institute of Global Surgery Professor Juan Carlos Puyana is the O'Brien Chair of Global Surgery at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and leads the RCSI Institute of Global Surgery in its work to improve access to high-quality, essential surgical care for underserved populations.  Professor Juan Carlos Puyana joins RCSI from the University of Pittsburgh where he was Director of Global Health-Surgery.   A renowned trauma/acute care surgeon and a global health educator, Prof Puyana is an expert in developing international capacity-building programmes in trauma, trauma registries, and trauma datasets in global surgery. As a trauma surgeon, Professor Puyana has worked in underserved emergency rooms and low-resource public hospitals in numerous Latin American cities and through this work he established reciprocal mentoring collaborations with several universities and trauma centres in Latin America.   During his time as President of the Pan-American Trauma Society, he was an influential leader actively promoting multilateral international collaborations and educational programs in the areas of trauma care, trauma ultrasound, disaster and emergency response and trauma courses across Latin America.   His current work seeks to develop community based interactions in rural Kenya to improve the safety and availability of blood transfusions in limited resource settings as part of an International NIH funded program called Bloodsafe. He participated as a member of the Global Health Committee of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and he co-authored the publication “Global Health and the Future Role of the United States.” He is now leading the IGS promulgating and expanding the work on surgical training, capacity building and perioperative teams workforce enhancement under the mission of the RCSI’s Global Health Agenda.
Christian Acemah Executive Director, Uganda National Academy of Sciences, Kampala, Uganda and Mr. Sydney Sproul, Uganda National Academy of Sciences Christian Acemah serves as Executive Director (also referred to as Executive Secretary) of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS). Previously, Christian was Director for Strategy and Program Development for the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Africa program. He was concurrently a Visiting Professor of African Studies and Social Sciences at Quest University, Canada, for six years. Additionally, Christian experienced the internal workings of a global health partnership as Executive Officer, Policy and Research at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in Geneva, Switzerland. At the same time, GAVI transitioned from being part of UNICEF to becoming a Swiss foundation. He has worked in the Sudan-Uganda program of the Lutheran World Federation on refugee health and HIV/AIDS M&E. Christian holds a first degree in Mathematics and Philosophy from St. John’s College (Santa Fe, New Mexico), a graduate degree in International Development and Strategy from Georgetown University (Washington, DC), and qualified as an international corporate governance professional through The Chartered Governance Institute of UK and Ireland. He holds a Graduate Certificate in Refugees and Humanitarian Crises from the Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM).
Umunyana Rugege Head of Human Rights, UNAIDS Umunyana Rugege is a human rights lawyer and the Head of Human Rights at UNAIDS. She has played a leading role in several human rights cases advancing the right to health and access to medicines. She has led policy development and law reform that has helped to realise the right to health, particularly for vulnerable groups. She has represented patient groups in the Health Market Inquiry into the private health care sector in South Africa and led law reform campaigns to increase access to affordable medicines. Prior to joining UNAIDS, Umunyana was the Executive Director of SECTION27, a human rights organization based in South Africa that seeks to achieve substantive equality and social justice. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo; a Master’s degree from Cornell University; and an LLB from the University of Cape Town. Umunyana has clerked at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. She is also a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Bonface Massah Executive Director of Standing Voice - Malawi and Commissioner for the Malawi Human Rights Commission Bonface is a human rights defender for the rights of persons with disabilities and social inclusion. He holds a Master’s Rehabilitation and Disability Studies degree from the University of Stellenbosch and an MPhil in Human Rights and Disability Rights from the University of Pretoria. He is a recipient of several international awards including the 2021 Community Engagement Specialist Mentor Program. He was the 2018 Nelson Mandela Washington Young African Leaders Initiative Fellow and won the 2018 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award. He was the 2015 inaugural winner of the BARI-BARI Prize(2015-2025). Bonface is a former President and a National Coordinator for the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) 2009-2016. He is currently the Executive Director of Standing Voice - Malawi, an NGO that defends the rights of people with albinism and run a number of programmes including a skin cancer prevention and Vision programme. He is also a Commissioner for the Malawi Human Rights Commission.
Fionnuala Murphy Head of Global Advocacy, Frontline AIDS Fionnuala is Head of Global Advocacy at Frontline AIDS, a global civil society partnership working together to achieve the global goal of ending AIDS, where she oversees influencing work on HIV prevention, human rights and sustainability. She has worked as a campaigner and advocate for the last 18 years, collaborating with partners from around the world to secure major wins on HIV financing, access to medicines, harm reduction, violence against women and other areas. Fionnuala holds an LLB in Law with French, as well as post graduate qualifications in Community Development and Literary Journalism. As Fionnuala grew up in Northern Ireland, she draws inspiration from her personal experiences of colonialism, conflict and community resistance in her approach to advocacy today.
Peggy Maguire President of the European Public Health Alliance and Director General of the European Institute of Women's Health A Political Scientist, Peggy has worked at the international, regional and national level over the last twenty-five years highlighting the need for gender equity in biomedical research, public health and social policy. Peggy is responsible for policy and strategy for the European Institute of Women’s Health (EIWH). Prior to her role as Director General at the EIWH, Peggy was Director of Development at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin and Director of the Research and Education Foundation at the Irish College of General Practitioners. As an advocate for a health literate public, Peggy developed a cancer communication and information initiative for and by women to ensure cancer information was women led. As part of her commitment to gender equality, Peggy has been a member of the WHO expert group on gender mainstreaming and contributed to the WHO Women’s Health Strategy for Europe. In 2014 Peggy worked on amendments to the Clinical Trials Regulation to ensure gender and age were included. Peggy is also former President of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA). Peggy has initiated and contributed to EU projects such as Engender-Inventory of good practices in Europe for promoting gender equity in health; Engendering Research Ethics Committees (RECs) and EUGenMed, leading the research and the workshop on the inclusion of Sex and Gender in Healthcare Professional Education. In 2019, the Minister for Health in Ireland appointed Peggy co-chair of the Women’s Health Task Force. Peggy’s research and advocacy work supports gender equity, ageing, patient and disability rights as well as the implications of social determinants on health and wellbeing.In October 2021, the WHO Academy Quality Committee announced the appointment of Peggy to its Board and chair of the patient and community engagement working group Peggy developed the EIWH EU Manifesto for Women’s Health and in October 2023 Peggy and the EIWH launched the Women’s Health Interest Group in the EU Parliament in Brussels.
Dr. Salome Mbugua Researcher, gender equality activist, and human rights advocate, CEO of AkiDwA - The Migrant Women’s Network Ireland Dr. Salome Mbugua is a researcher, gender equality activist, and human rights advocate. She is the CEO of AkiDwA - The Migrant Women’s Network Ireland. Dr. Salome also serves as a human rights commissioner with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Her professional experience and expertise span over 20 years of work in civil society, focusing on under-represented groups, particularly women, children, and youth, in Europe and Africa. Dr. Salome's work includes developing programs for education, support, and advocacy, and collaborating with various organizations to influence policy and create systemic change. Her strong belief in equality and justice has shaped her career, leading to engagement with policymakers in Ireland, Europe, and internationally. Dr. Salome serves on various advisory committees, expert groups, and boards. In September 2018, she was appointed by the Tánaiste to chair the working group developing Ireland's 3rd National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, and in 2021, she was appointed as an independent chair to ED&I project board with public service appointments.
Najd Almuhaythif Saudi Human Rights lawyer with focus on addressing inequalities globally, Women in Global Health A feminist. Najd Ibrahim is an experienced Saudi Human Rights lawyer with focus on addressing inequalities globally. Based in Paris, France. Over 11 years of experience in the areas of Gender Equality, Social inclusion, Rule of Law, Social justice, including providing intersectional gender mainstreaming capacity support to UN, INGOs, social enterprises, security agencies, civil society partners and government bodies in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Mark Lodge Consultant systematic reviewer specializing in cancer and Chair of the UKIGCN Steering Committee Mark Lodge is a consultant systematic reviewer specializing in cancer and Chair of the UKIGCN Steering Committee.  He has provided technical advice to the NHS, European Investment Bank and the Commonwealth Secretariat and was the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research’s UK Executive Director  2008- 2024. He is the commissioning editor for the annual Cancer Control published by Global Health Dynamics, a member of the Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer in the Commonwealth,  and between 2019-2023 was the creator and Convenor of London Global Cancer Week.
Richard Firth Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology in UCD, Past President of the All-Ireland Irish Endocrine Society and Founding Clinical Lead - National Director of Diabetes HSE, Co-founder of Ireland Africa Alliance for NCDs Schooled in India and England with a biochemistry background from the University of London before medical training at RCSI. Qualified first in class and underwent postgraduate training in Dublin, a 3-year fellowship with Board Certification in Endocrinology/Metabolism at the Mayo Clinic USA, and Lecturer/Fellow at St Thomas’s Hospital, University of London. Voted outstanding trainee in Endocrinology and Metabolism at Mayo and elected to the permanent Consultant Staff there. After 2 further years in St Thomas’s Hospital, appointed to the Mater, National Maternity, Rotunda and Coombe Hospitals. Personally supervised over 80% of all Diabetic pregnancies in Ireland achieving the lowest perinatal mortality rates worldwide. Appointed Adjunct Professor of Medicine/Endocrinology in UCD. Past President of the All-Ireland Irish Endocrine Society. Founding Clinical Lead/National Director of Diabetes HSE. Elected Fellow of RCPI and American College of Physicians. Author of multiple scientific papers including first author on papers in NEJM, J Clin Invest and Diabetes. Undertook international lecture tours to China, India and Africa Focus now is on Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa – the major cause of premature death worldwide. I have raised funds in Ireland to refurbish a disused building in Togo, West Africa as a Diabetes/NCD Centre in partnership with the MoH and HCPs there. This opened in February 2024. We have also formed an expert group – the Ireland Africa Alliance for Non-Communicable Diseases (IAANCDs) which is cooperating in projects in Togo and Malawi and is also undertaking an Advocacy role within Ireland on behalf of LICs in Africa.
Shailendra (Shailey) Prasad Associate Vice President for Global and Rural Health at the University of Minnesota, on the steering committee of Advocacy for Global Health Partnerships Shailendra (Shailey) Prasad, MD MPH FAAFP is the Associate Vice President for Global and Rural Health at the University of Minnesota. He is the Carlson Chair of Global Health and the Executive Director of the Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility at the University of Minnesota, Professor and Vice-Chair of Education at the Dept of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota, Adjunct Professor at the School of Public Health, and a Fellow at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota. He is also an honorary visiting professor at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, at Institut Pertanian Bogor, Indonesia, and at Udayana University, Denpasar, Indonesia. He has been inducted into the Academy of Excellence in the Scholarship of Education at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Prasad is the co-director of the Rothenberger Leadership Academy, a cohort-based leadership training program at the University of Minnesota. He is the co-lead of the CDC funded National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants (NRC RIM) and the NIH/Fogarty funded Northern Pacific Global Health consortium. Dr. Prasad has worked in underserved areas including rural areas for 3 decades as a clinician, has conducted health services research and has been engaged in education across disciplines. He has been part of the Rural Health Research Center at the University of Minnesota. He is on the steering committees of the Advocacy for Global Health Partnerships and the Global Engagement Network for Primary Health Care (GEN-PHC). He has also been involved in academic department strengthening and mentorship training across various universities.
Nadine Ferris France Executive Director, Irish Global Health Network Nadine Ferris France is the Executive Director for the Irish Global Health Network and ESTHER Ireland. She is a communicator, writer, trainer and civil society activist with over 20 years’ experience in gender, HIV and global health. She has worked extensively with global, regional and national civil society networks on HIV and TB for many years as the co-founder and Executive Director of Health & Development Networks (HDN). In addition to her experience within the NGO-field, she has also worked extensively with the World Health Organization and also lectures with various academic institutions. She is currently a member of the Programme Advisory Panel for the Robert Carr Civil Society Network Fund and the European AIDS Treatment Group. At this stage in her own professional development, she is particularly passionate about issues such as self-stigma affecting people living with HIV and survivors of gender-based violence. Nadine holds an MSc in Global Health from Trinity College Dublin.
Dr Soledad Quiroz Valenzuela Deputy Director of Knowledge Management at Universidad Central de Chile Dr Soledad Quiroz Valenzuela is Deputy Director of Knowledge Management at Universidad Central de Chile, PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University (USA) and Master in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University (USA). In 2021, she was elected Vice President for Policy at INGSA, while becoming a Commissioner of the Global Commission on Evidence to Address Societal Challenges. She is also a member of the Expert Committee of the Latin America and Caribbean Evidence Hub (LAC Hub) and the Equity in Global Health Partnerships Committee of the Ugandan National Academy of Sciences. She has been a lecturer, researcher and consultant on open science, science policy, science advice and science diplomacy.
Bruce Compton Senior Director, Global Health, Catholic Health Association of the United States, St. Louis Bruce Compton is senior director of global health for the Catholic Health Association of the United States. He is based in the association's St. Louis office. Mr. Compton is responsible for assisting and supporting CHA-member organizations in their outreach activities in the developing world. His duties include facilitating collaboration among CHA-member organizations and others, seeking to enhance the impact of international ministries. Additionally, he is responsible for education regarding international outreach issues and encouraging CHA members' participation in various activities of international ministry. Mr. Compton lived in Haiti from 2000 to 2002, and he continued to work in support of health missions in the developing world after he returned to the U.S. He did so in his capacity as founding president and chief executive of Springfield, Ill.–based Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, a ministry organization bringing surplus medical supplies from Midwest hospitals to medical missions in the developing world.
Dr Helen Mulcahy Senior Lecturer Community Health in the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland and Council Member of the Global Network of Public Health Nursing I am a Senior Lecturer Community Health in the Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland. I have professional qualifications in general nursing, midwifery, and public health nursing. My academic qualifications include a Higher Diploma in Public Health Nursing; BSc in Nursing; master's in research and a Doctor of Nursing (DN) degree in University College Cork in 2014. I currently lecture on public health nursing, child health and development and nursing research. My area of teaching and research expertise includes public health nursing practice, nurse/ client relationships; working with vulnerable families; breastfeeding support; Public Health Nursing; child health surveillance and parental concern; and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. I am a council member of the Global Network of Public Health Nursing.
Eric O’Flynn Programme Director for Education, Training and Advocacy in the Institute of Global Surgery in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Eric O’Flynn comes from an education background and has worked on a range of education programmes in Ireland, Africa and Asia. He has worked on global surgery education programmes with RCSI since 2011, working in collaboration with partner organisations to expand and improve training for surgeons and other members of the surgical care workforce. Projects managed under this portfolio include areas such as capacity building, e-learning, operating theatre process improvement, surgical simulation innovation and data science. He leads global surgery teaching in RCSI.
Katthyana Aparicio Reyes Programme Officer in the Quality of Care Unit, Department of Integrated Health Services, World Health Organization Katthyana Aparicio Reyes is Programme Officer in the Quality of Care Unit, Department of Integrated Health Services, World Health Organization. She has been working at the World Health Organization since 2006, where she has held various positions. In 2007 she joined the Patient Safety Programme and played a major role in project management and evaluation of the Patient Safety Research Small Grants Program. Since 2013 she has been leading the initiative on Partnerships between health institutions to improve the quality of health care, Twinning Partnerships for Improvement (TPI) and has worked in other initiatives related to patient and family engagement and more recently on Community Engagement. Katthyana has extensive experience in quality and patient safety. Her current roles encompass multicultural project management and the implementation of partnerships between health institutions. Katthyana provides technical support to Spanish-speaking countries as well as French-speaking countries in the aforementioned areas. Katthyana has extensive experience in business administration and project management. She is fluent in English, French and Spanish. She has two master's degrees from the University of Geneva, one in Business Administration and one in Information Systems and has completed training in Project Management at the Project Management Institute and Quality Improvement in Healthcare: the Case for change from the Bath University.
Sydney Sproul Senior Strategy and Development Officer at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) Sydney Sproul is the Senior Strategy and Development Officer at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) where he has served for over 7 years. He leads the UNAS Secretariat’s strategic initiatives and advises the Executive Secretary of UNAS on programmatic issues. He has served as the technical director of four consensus studies on domestic financing, prevention of violence against children, trust and partnership systems, and pandemic preparedness and response respectively. Prior to joining the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS), he worked as a paramedic with the British Columbian Ambulance Service (BCAS) and is an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) in Piano Performance.
Anne Nolan Health Policy Co-Lead in DFA’s Development Cooperation and Africa Division (Irish Aid) Anne Nolan is Health Policy Co-Lead in DFA’s Development Cooperation and Africa Division (Irish Aid). Her background in international health development and humanitarian assistance over three decades, spans global, regional and country level policies and programmes. Currently Anne is the lead for engagement on HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Health System Strengthening, Health and Nutrition, Health and Climate Change and the partnership with the Irish Global Health Network.

Day 2 Speakers
Dr Tony Holohan, Director, Centre for One Health, University College Dublin Dr. Tony Holohan is a highly respected medical professional with a distinguished career in public health. A 1991 medical graduate of University College Dublin, Dr. Holohan initially trained in general practice before specialising in public health medicine. He began his significant contributions to health policy as Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health and Children in Ireland in 2001. During his tenure, he worked extensively on key policy areas, including cancer control, prevention, primary care, health information, and health technology assessment. In 2008, Dr. Holohan was appointed as Chief Medical Officer, a role he held until 2022. Currently, Dr. Holohan serves as the Director of the Centre for One Health and Adjunct Full Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin. He also holds an adjunct professorship in the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. Beyond his academic and professional roles, he is a board member of the Irish Hospice Foundation and the Chair of FutureNeuro, reflecting his commitment to advancing healthcare and research.
Dr Caoimhe Nic a Bhaird Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF Dr Caoimhe Nic a Bhaird is a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Child Protection Specialist based at UNICEF Headquarters. Her work focuses on developing tools to improve the effectiveness of MHPSS in humanitarian emergencies and providing technical support to UNICEF’s regional and country offices as they respond to crises. She has worked in contexts affected by conflicts, natural disasters, public health emergencies, and refugee crises around the world, including in Liberia, Nepal, Dominica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Poland, and Iraq. Prior to her work in humanitarian emergencies, she worked in Applied Health Research at University College London, where her work focused on improving the effectiveness of multidisciplinary teamwork in community mental health, dementia, heart failure and cancer care. She has a BA in Psychology from Trinity College Dublin, an MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology from the London School of Economics, and a PhD in Epidemiology and Health Care from University College London.
Deirdre Ní Cheallaigh Head of Programmes with Beyond Stigma With over 18 years of experience in the development sector, I am a passionate and driven leader who strives to create positive social and environmental change. I have specialised in gender equality, HIV, and Self Stigma and have a deep personal commitment to these issues. I have worked in diverse contexts, from Zimbabwe to Myanmar, leading teams, managing large-scale development programmes and providing technical support. I am guided by values of equality, respect, and inclusion. Driven and skilled, I excel in collaborating with communities and marginalised groups to achieve shared goals and drive positive transformation. During my career I have developed skills and knowledge in strategic thinking and strategy development, programme cycle management, programme quality and learning, donor engagement and grant management, policy analysis and influencing, and technical specialist knowledge to advance each organisation's mission. I have mentored and managed talented teams of staff fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. I have secured and managed multiple grants from institutional donors, commissioned and applied research findings to enhance programme outcomes for participants. I have worked extensively to advance policy improvements on Gender and HIV and have represented civil society in a number of high-level committees
Olivia Teahan Social Impact Communications and Community Health expert, Nasc Ireland Olivia has a range of experience working in Social Impact Communications and Community Health. She is passionate about the intersections of socioeconomic and health inequities, and much of her public health work has focused on sexual health rights for all. She holds a Bachelor of Law and French degree (BCL) and a Master in Public Health (MPH) from University College Cork.
Dr Frédérique Vallières Associate Professor and Director of the Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin Dr Vallières (she/her) is Associate Professor and Director of the Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin. Her research prioritises the use of participatory approaches to understand individual, community, and system-level responses to catastrophic life events so as to strengthen our evidence for how mental health services and systems can better respond to - and recover from – potentially traumatic events. Dr. Vallières’ work has been funded by a range of international and national granting bodies, including the US Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the European Commission, the Irish Research Council, and the Health Research Board, and benefits from close collaboration with a range of UN, non-governmental, government, and fellow academics across Europe, MENA, and Sub-Saharan African regions. Most relevant to the theme of this panel, she is currently the PI for The Missing Link, a multiannual, multisite participatory action research project for the development, adaptation, and scale-up of stronger supportive practices for mental health and psychosocial support practices in humanitarian contexts and PI for research into the development of a Suicide and Deliberate Self-Harm Prevention Toolkit for use in humanitarian contexts - both in collaboration with the International Federation of the Red Cross, Red Crescent’s Psychosocial Reference Centre - and leads an evaluation of the WHO’s community mental health team initiative in Ukraine. Dr. Vallières received her BA in Psychology from McGill University and both her MSc and PhD from Trinity College Dublin.
Ben Adams World Health Organization, Mental Health and Substance Use Department Ben Adams currently works for the World Health Organization’s Mental Health and Substance Use Department as a mental health specialist, specifically supporting their Special Initiative for Mental Health. Prior to this, he worked as the Senior Mental Advisor for a global disability NGO for seven years, where he was the technical lead for mental health across Asia and Africa, and MHPSS in humanitarian settings. Mr Adams comes from a mental health nursing background, working in various roles as a clinician and as a mental health specialist. He has supported the development and implementation of mental health programmes, mental health law, policy and system reform, and mental health research (TCD/LSHTM) across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Eunice T. Philip Global Health PhD scholar at the Division of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland Eunice is a current Global Health PhD scholar at the Division of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Her study, which focuses on community-based participatory research (CBPR)approach and community capacity building in household air pollution in rural Malawi, is qualitatively implementing, exploring, and evaluating the different constructs of CBPR. Before starting her research career in 2018, Eunice worked as a registered nurse in emergency, TB/HIV, and childhood immunisation departments and on several community-level projects, including the WHO ‘Kick Polio program’. She received her MPH from the University College of Cork, where she focused on Health Promotion Studies. Her thesis titled ‘Household air pollution and anaemia in women and children: a cross-sectional study of six sub-Saharan African countries’ was awarded the Jacqueline Hogan Bronze Medal in Public Health and Epidemiology in 2018. As a student representative, she currently lends her voice and time with the Irish Global Health Network Student Outreach Team and RCSI Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion unit. Eunice is passionate about reducing the inequalities in health systems, projects, climate change, and increasing the awareness of mental health amongst first responders. The vision is to increase engagement and participation and bring the voices of the farthest left behind to the forefront of global health solutions.
Matthew Chersich Research Professor, Planetary Health Division, University of the Witwatersrand (SA), Research Fellow at Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College, Ireland Matthew Chersich is Research Professor in the Wits Planetary Health Division, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and Research Fellow at Public Health and Primary Care, School of Medicine, Trinity College, Ireland. He has worked on public health research across Africa for around 20 years, and with WHO and other international organisations. After medical school at the University of Witwatersrand, he studied public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and doctoral studies at Ghent University, Belgium. He is leading the NIH HEAT Center on data science and climate change, as well as Wellcome Trust grants that examine the biological pathways mediating heat effects in pregnancy, and the effectiveness of adaptation interventions.
Dr Ciara Conlan Co-founder of Access to Medicines Ireland and Doctors for Vaccine Equity Dr Ciara Conlan is a specialist registrar in Public Health, and a co-founder of Access to Medicines Ireland and Doctors for Vaccine Equity. Access to Medicines Ireland is a campaign group for a system of medical research and development that delivers the medicines, vaccines and diagnostics the world needs, at a fair price. She has previously worked clinically in infectious diseases and virology in Ireland and has also worked in Malawi. She holds a master’s degree in Public Health and a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Robbie Lawlor Co-founder of Access to Medicine Ireland and member of the European AIDS Treatment Group Passionate about making a difference, Lawlor has spent over a decade wearing many hats - educator, communicator, community leader, researcher, trainer, facilitator, and grassroots activist - all in the pursuit of health equity, better HIV/sexual health education, and greater access to medicines. His journey has taken him from civil society initiatives to grassroots movements, always with a focus on human rights. Co-founder of Access to Medicine Ireland and a member of the European AIDS Treatment Group and UNITAID Communities Delegation. He also loves co-hosting the PozVibe Podcast with co-star, Enda McGrattan, where they bring the voices of people living with HIV and our allies in Ireland and around the world to the forefront. Lawlor has recently completed his PhD at Dublin City University which explored HIV/HEP C treatment activism in Ukraine. And has been awarded his PhD (graduation pending).
Dr. Greg Martin Director, Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), Ireland. Dr. Greg Martin is a distinguished medical doctor with specialist training in public health, currently serving as the Director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in Ireland. Under his leadership, the HPSC stands as the nation’s premier agency for the surveillance of communicable diseases, playing a crucial role within the Health Service Executive. Dr. Martin is also the Editor-in-Chief of the esteemed journal *Globalization and Health*, contributing to the global dialogue on health policies and practices. Additionally, he is a prolific content creator, hosting two YouTube channels focused on global health and R programming, respectively. Beyond his contributions to public health and education, Dr. Martin is one of the founding directors of Wellola, a healthcare technology company.
Dr Brendan O’ Shea GP and Occupational Medicine Physician at The Bridge Medical Centre, Newbridge, Ireland, and Assistant Adjunct Professor at Trinity College Dublin Dr Brendan O’ Shea, MD FRCGP is a GP in Kildare, Assistant Adjunct Professor at TCD and Medical Director at K Doc. Academic interests include improving care for people with multimorbidity, end of life planning, obesity, and global health. Graduating from Trinity College, he completed GP Training on The TCD GP Training Scheme, and completed an MD on Childhood Overweight at Trinity. He has been on Board of Directors at The Irish Hospice Foundation, and on Beyond Stigma. He is a member at IDsMAiD (Irish Doctors Supporting Medical Assistance in Dying), is on Council at The ICGP, is Medical Director at K Doc, previously Medical Director at The ICGP, and currently is Chair of Board at Beyond Stigma.
Breda Gahan Registered General Nurse and Midwife with a Master’s in Public Health, Formerly Concern Worldwide Breda Gahan is a Registered General Nurse (RGN, Mater Hospital trained) and Midwife (RM, Coombe Hospital trained) in Ireland, with a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (1994, with field research thesis on HIV prevention with young people in Tanzania). Breda worked on HIV and AIDS as a nurse in St James’s Hospital in Dublin in the late 1980’s, before treatment was available. Breda has 35 years field and HQ (Dublin & New York) experience in Health and HIV work in various countries with Concern including Iraq (pre-Concern 2 yrs), Sudan (2 yrs), Cambodia (3 yrs) and Mozambique (3 yrs). Breda was the recipient of the inaugural Dóchas Global Citizen of the Year Award in May 2015. Until now, Breda has been Senior Health and HIV Adviser at Concern Worldwide leading on maternal, child health, HIV and health systems strengthening work with Concern country field teams and host country Ministry of Health partners.
Rosaleen McDonagh Traveller woman with a disability, Pavee Point and Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Rosaleen McDonagh is a Traveller woman with a disability. Originally from Sligo. She worked in Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre for ten years, managing the Violence Against Women programme, and remains a board member.  Rosaleen has a BA in Biblical & Theological Studies, an MPhil in Ethnic & Racial Studies & an MPhil in Creative Writing, all from TCD. She holds a PhD from Northumbria University. She is a regular contributor to the Irish Times and has written ostensibly within the framework of a Traveller feminist perspective. McDonagh’s work includes Mainstream, The Baby Doll Project, Stuck, She’s Not Mine, and Rings. Rosaleen was appointed to The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in May 2020. Within the Commission, Rosaleen is the chair of the Disability Advisory Committee. She is also a member of Aosdana and is part of the BBC’s Writers Rooms Hothouse 2021 ( June/July). Rosaleen was commissioned for a feature article in the Irish Times in 2012 responding to Channel 4’s series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.  Her play Mainstream was directed by Olivier Award winner, Jim Culleton, for Fishamble and Project Arts Centre in 2016.  In 2018, Fishamble produced Rosaleen’s play Running Out of Road in the RHK to mark the first anniversary of Traveller Ethnicity recognition.  Rosaleen was writer in residence with Tuti Theatre Company in Adelaide, Australia in 2019. Corrib Theatre Company in Portland Oregon, USA, produced The Prettiest Proud Boy in May 2021. Walls & Windows was commissioned in May 2021 by The Abbey Theatre. Contentious Spaces commissioned by Project Arts Centre 2020/2021. Skein Press publishing collection of essays titled Unsettled in September 2021. Rosaleen is currently under Commission from the Abbey Theatre, she is writing an adaptation of “Isbin’s Dolls House”. Rosaleen is also working on two books for Skein Press. The first, a collection of short stories entitled “Contentious Spaces”. Her third book “Bearings a Letter to Amy & Rosie Bridget”, a letter to a young Traveller woman and a letter to a young Disabled woman.
Rachel Dempsey Global Citizenship/Sustainability Educator Rachel Dempsey is a highly experienced global citizenship/sustainability educator who provides training for diverse organisations through her project Full Circle Change. She is passionate about change at a paradigm/worldview level, and draws on her expertise in transformative education, nature connection, group singing, holistic wellbeing and systems thinking when working with groups. Rachel has degrees in Latin American Studies (BA) & Ethnomusicology (MA) and is currently undertaking an MA in Climate, Justice and Sustainability. Her work has been featured by RTE and she was recently featured as one of Ireland’s leading climate visionaries on SEAI’s 180 Degree podcast.
Colm Keegan Writer and Poet, Co-founder of Lingo and an Artist in Residence with Maynooth University Colm Keegan is an award winning writer and poet from Dublin. He judges the Waterford Poetry Prize and was guest editor of Poetry Ireland Review in 2022. His debut collection “Don't Go There” was released to critical acclaim and his latest collection “Randomer” is available from Salmon poetry. In 2023 he developed Ireland Is, a spoken word roadshow with Poetry Ireland and Sofft Productions, which toured the island of reland. His first full-length play “For Saoirse” was staged in Axis Theatre and shortlisted for the Fishamble New Writing award and his short play “Something Worth Saying,” commissioned for the Abbey Theatre and starring Owen O’ Roe, was called ‘exquisite and devastating’ by reviewer Emer O’ Kelly. He has developed numerous creative writing projects for schools & organisations across the country including Writing Home, an initiative he developed in partnership with Kilkenny County Council, to support homeless service users through the pandemic, which won a LAMA award for best education initiative. He was a co-founder of Lingo, Ireland’s first Spoken Word festival and has been awarded several residencies including the LexIcon, Ireland’s largest public library. He is currently an Artist in Residence with Maynooth University. He also coordinates Deadly Poets Society, an exchange project between poets and academics in Ireland and Australia.
Mary Brigid Collins Co-Ordinator of the Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre Primary Health Care Project. As a Traveller worker for over 15 years, Mary Brigid has represented Pavee Point and Irish Travellers both nationally and internationally. Mary Brigid was instrumental in the development and undertaking of the All Ireland Traveller Health Study which is recognised as the most comprehensive analysis of Traveller health to date, resulting in an unprecedented 80% participation rate of Travellers across Ireland. Through her work on the ground with Traveller women and their families, Mary Brigid, alongside other Traveller Community Workers, use a peer-led model to provide a culturally appropriate approach to health care provision while at the same time promoting Travellers equality of access, participation and outcomes in mainstream health services. Mary Brigid was key in the development and publication of the National Traveller Health Action Plan (NTHAP) and is a representative of the National Traveller Health Implementation Group group that oversees the monitoring and implementation of the NTHAP.
Isabel Simpson, Executive Director, Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders Ireland With over 30 years’ experience of working in humanitarian medical operations, Isabel has been Executive Director of MSF Ireland since 2019. During her many years overseas, she has held senior positions working in conflicts such as Angola, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Chechnya, Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Iraq and in complex humanitarian emergencies such as Myanmar, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Bangladesh. Isabel has also worked as Director of Programmes in MSF Australia and as an independent humanitarian consultant for various international medical NGO’s.

Moderators and Co-Chairs
Emer O’Neill Public Speaker, Activist and Global Citizenship Education Officer at Irish Girl Guides, RTE Emer O’Neill is a seasoned Moderator, Host and Public Speaker with vast experience in the areas of Sustainability, Global Citizenship, Racism, Inclusion and Equity, Women/Girls in Sport, Children and Youth Education and Mental Health Advocacy. As a TV Presenter she has a bright and relatable presence on camera with an ability to connect with her audience and guests. She is a mother of three with a BA in Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration with 15 years teaching experience. She is a retired Irish International Basketball player representing Ireland at multiple age levels and a recipient of a full scholarship to the USA to play basketball. Assistant Coach at Barry University, Miami, FL 2012/14 and Head Coach of the Under 20’s Women’s Irish Basketball Team 2015 competing in the European Championships in Montenegro. Emer is an advocate for promoting positive body image and self love. She has a TV show on RTE2 “Keep It Up” investigating the question of “Why girls drop out of sport during the ages of 12-14?” It is a six part docoseries available on the RTE Player. She is currently the Global Citizenship Education Officer with the Irish Girl Guides and is well known as a presenter on Home School Hub on RTE, educating our children during Covid with her segment “Exercise with Emer”. She also presented the Today show on RTE and has broadcast the St.Patrick’s Day Parade 2022 and 2023 live on RTE. Emer is an anti racism activist working to bring awareness to the lack of diversity in the media, state jobs, positions of leadership and in our education system here in Ireland. Her Tedx talk, challenging unconscious bias and racism called “Don’t Put Me in a Box” consists of her own personal journey being Black Irish and challenges people to be actively anti racist. She is a founding member of Bray For Love an anti racism group in Bray, Co.Wicklow. Emer has written policy on Anti Racism and developed EDI workshops for schools and organisations. Emer sat as a member on the steering committee for the Anti Bullying Action Plan 2023 under Minister Norma Foley. Emer is the author of a children’s book called “The Same But Different” a tale about a little girl overcoming her self doubt and journey to embrace her differences and uniqueness. The book includes characters with a cochlear implant, hijab, wheelchair user and strives to be educational and inclusive. It is a book that has helped educators and parents start conversations surrounding racism, inclusion and loving yourself just the way you are!
Fionnuala Moran Irish broadcaster, sustainability influencer & DJ, RTE2fm Fionnuala Moran is an Irish broadcaster, sustainability influencer & DJ, leading by doing in the sustainable living space. The London-born presenter moved to Ireland at the age of two, where she enjoyed a sport-filled upbringing in Bray, Co Wicklow, with the Garden of Ireland’s maritime mountainous landscapes influencing her love for nature. Keep up to date with climate news by watching Fionnuala’s sustainability segments on Virgin Media’s The Six O’Clock Show. You can hear her celebrating new Irish music and more presenting on RTÉ 2FM. She also enjoys working as an event MC, DJ and voiceover artist. She’s a double DCU graduate. Fionnuala’s BA in Communications and MSc in Climate Change: Policy, Media & Society inform her climate communications philosophies. From her extensive work in the space she finds a ‘support over shame’ and ‘progress over perfection’ framing approach to be the most impactful way to empower people to get involved with climate action. Fionnuala uses her social and traditional media platforms to educate, showcasing fun and accessible ways people can up their sustainability. Her content has a particular focus on sustainable fashion and sustainable interiors, as she renovates her 1950s Dublin home with her fiancé Rebel Phoenix. They are the proud pawrents of two rescue salukis, Farrah and Alfie, from My Lovely Horse Rescue where Fionnuala serves as a charity ambassador.
Dr. Claire Hayes Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr. Claire Hayes is passionate in the areas of coping, prevention and resilience. She continues to build on her combined forty years of training and experience as a clinical psychologist, lecturer, author and teacher to help individuals, groups and organisations to understand the particular nature of their stressors and to apply evidence-based psychological principles to help them cope with these.  Claire’s interest in helping people cope with stress dates back to research she carried out in 1988 on how people cope. Her two Masters degrees and her PhD expanded on this work, exploring further the areas of stress, coping, prevention and resilience. She has a successful consultancy practice in helping people of all ages understand and manage a range of challenges including anxiety, bullying, chronic illness and/or depression. She was Clinical Director of Aware, Ireland’s national organisation to support people with depression and bipolar disorder from 2011 to 2017 and from 2020 until February 2022. Claire is currently a representative of the Psychological Society of Ireland to Europe focusing specifically on Psychology in Health. She has written widely on how to help people cope with stress and has become a regular contributor to Irish national media including current affairs television and radio programmes and national press. Claire has long been supportive of the work that Irish Global Health Network does and is delighted and honoured to be part of the ‘Fostering Humanity: Promoting Health Equity for a Better Planet’ Conference.
Dr David Weakliam Consultant, Global Health Programme Director, HSE Dr Weakliam has worked in international and global health since 1988, including 12 years with development agencies in Nepal, Liberia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Before joining the HSE in 2007, he worked for 18 years on improving health in developing countries, including 12 years spent in Africa and Asia. From 2003 to 2007, he was Health Advisor for Irish Aid, the Government’s overseas aid programme. Dr Weakliam is now a Consultant in Public Health Medicine in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and works as Programme Lead for the HSE Global Health Programme.
Diarmuid O'Donovan Director of National Health Improvement with the Health Service Executive He trained in general practice and in public health in England and has been a trainer in both parts of the island of Ireland. He has lived in several countries in Africa working in hospitals, rural health centres, research centres, humanitarian emergency settings, and with ministries of health and WHO. From 2019-2023 he was Professor of Global Health at Queen’s University Belfast, where he has an honorary role. From 2005 he was Director of Public Health in HSE West and Senior Lecturer in Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Galway. His research and teaching interests relate to health equity and sustainable development, locally and globally.
Tejaswy Swathi Kovuri (co-chair) Tejaswy Swathi Kovuri (She/Her) is currently working as a research assistant for Engaging Adolescents in Sexual Health Services in Ethiopia (EASE) project at School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin. She is a Global Health masters graduate from Trinity College Dublin and holds 6+ years of experience working in the non-profit sector in Ireland as well as in India in different roles focusing on education, children, health, and social change. Tejaswy holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from India and data analyst work experience for four years in the Pharma sector. She believes and lives by the quote “Empowered women empower women”. She also enjoys painting and illustrating in her free time.
Caragh Munn (co-chair) Caragh Munn is the programme coordinator at ESTHER Ireland. She has 10 years’ experience in a variety of roles in Community and Global Health. Her experience in managing and coordinating international partnerships and programs includes roles within the NGO sector, and working in Ethiopia supporting the National Network of People Living with HIV to deliver programmes to meet the needs of their members. She also has experience in bridging the gap between healthcare providers in Ireland and marginalised populations, having worked in Traveller Primary Healthcare Programmes and most recently in Social Prescribing. Caragh holds both a Master in Public Health and a Master in International Humanitarian Action.
Ivana Hussu (co-chair) Ivana holds a MSc in Global Health from Uppsala University (Sweden) and a BA in Nursing from University of Ljubljana (Slovenia). Over the years Ivana has volunteered in social and environmental initiatives in her hometown, Trieste (Italy). During her university years Ivana completed a clinical training in The Gambia and after finishing her BA in nursing, she worked in the paediatric ICU at the University Medical Center in Ljubljana, which she left to pursue a Global Health degree. In the past two years Ivana has worked in various NGOs and organisations focusing on the concept of “one health”, sustainable actions and advocacy, such as Doctors for Madagascar, The Bruised Food Club and the Irish Global Health Network. Ivana has a deep interest in mental health issues, digital health solutions, environmental health and equal rights in accessing high-quality healthcare. Additionally, she is passionate about discovering new realities by connecting with others through travel, photography and video making.
Dr Kristin Hadfield (co-chair) Dr Kristin Hadfield is an Assistant Professor at the School of Psychology and Trinity Centre for Global Health. Her research focuses on the resilience, wellbeing, and mental health in young people, especially those facing substantial adversity. Dr Hadfield employs a multi-method and multi-level approach to examining children's health and development. She is focused on advancing effective measurement, including the adaptation of questionnaires, use of innovative measures, and promoting adolescent participation in research, including through collaboration with youth co-researchers.
Dr April Hargreaves (co-chair) Dr April Hargreaves completed her doctorate in neuropsychology and genetics with Trinity College Dublin, where her research focused on the neuropsychological/ cognitive profile of schizophrenia risk variants identified in genome wide association studies. Further research investigated both psychological therapies for psychosis (using cognitive remediation therapy) and CoQ10 supplementation in a search for methods to ameliorate the cognitive decline experienced by such patients. More recently, Dr Hargreaves launched a laboratory called the SAMI (Stigma and Mental Health Ireland) laboratory, alongside her colleagues Dr David Mothersill and Dr Gerard Loughnane. Through the SAMI lab, Dr Hargreaves has formed international partnerships in Romania, the USA and Liberia, investigating mental health and neurological stigma cross culturally. Dr Hargreaves has published widely in the field, including 34 peer reviewed research articles and two books as Editor; the first titled Co-EnzymeQ10: From Fact to Fiction and the second titled Schizophrenia: Triggers and Treatments. Dr Hargreaves currently holds the position of Vice-Dean of Postgraduate studies and research, and Associate Professor of Psychology at National College of Ireland.
Dervla King (co-chair) With a background in social research, community development, and international volunteering, Dervla has worked as Programme Manager with Comhlámh for the past ten years. This role includes collaborating with Irish and international organisations to deepen solidarity-based engagement on some of the major challenges facing people and planet. Dervla is also a voluntary trustee of several organisations that focus on peacebuilding, anti-militarisation, and migrant solidarity initiatives.
Jasmine Huber (co-chair) Jasmine Huber is a global health communications and advocacy specialist dedicated to advancing health equity for underserved populations. She received her M.Sc. in Global Health from Trinity College Dublin in 2017, where she conducted her master’s thesis on self-stigma among sex workers living in Hanoi, Vietnam. Since graduating, Jasmine has worked for Johns Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center where she creates tailored advocacy strategies to drive immunization efforts and the introduction of new vaccines in low- and middle-income countries, collaborating with global stakeholders to advocate for equitable healthcare access. Jasmine has also lived and worked in Myanmar, where she led programme development and strategic donor engagement for PATH, a global health NGO. Her efforts were focused on expanding healthcare access and improving health outcomes for the country’s most vulnerable populations, successfully securing multi-million-dollar funding to drive these critical initiatives. She also worked with the World Health Organization in the Violence Against Children department, where she contributed to efforts aimed at preventing and responding to preventing child maltreatment. Currently, she serves as a consultant for global health organizations, leveraging her expertise in communications and programme management to drive impactful health initiatives.
Geraldine McCrossan (co-chair) Geraldine McCrossan (RCN, RCM) has a MSc in Public Health & Social Change. Geraldine has over 30 years of experience in the designing and management of Global Health & Social and Behaviour Change Communication initiatives throughout Africa, Central America and Middle East: She specialises in providing technical advice and expertise to governments, UN agencies and NGOs in the development and implementation of appropriate policies and strategies and evidenced based global health & SBC programmes that improve maternal, neo-natal, child, nutrition and adolescent health outcomes. Geraldine has worked with Concern Worldwide, WHO, Save the Children and is currently GOAL’s Senior Global Health & SBC Technical Advisor, was a key technical led for GOAL’s RCCE response during the West Africa Ebola Outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. At present Geraldine’s focus is on integrating SBCC into system thinking programmes with a focus on nutritional and food security.
Daniella Torres Schiaffino (co-chair) Daniella has a background in nutrition and dietetics, holding a Master’s degree in Global Health from Uppsala University, Sweden. Her work centers on children's health, promoting food security, and addressing malnutrition from a multidisciplinary perspective. She has been involved in various community health initiatives, educational programs, and public policy research, with a focus on improving access to quality nutrition for vulnerable populations and addressing health disparities. In 2017, Daniella was awarded first place in a health and sustainability competition in Lima, Peru, for her innovative contributions to early childhood nutrition and education. More recently, in 2023, she earned second place in the EU+ Urban Health Case Challenge in Poland for her strategic proposal to address obesity in urban environments. Currently based in Sweden, Daniella collaborates with "Reformaten," an organization dedicated to transforming the food system by emphasizing its environmental and social dimensions in alignment with the 2030 Agenda.
Adheena Joshy (co-chair) Adheena Joshy is Institutional Funding Projects Manager at CBM Ireland, where she supports development and humanitarian projects aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities in Asia and Africa. With over five years of experience in the NGO sector, Adheena is passionate about ensuring disability inclusion in projects and effectively leveraging her expertise in gender issues to create equitable solutions. She holds a degree in Social Science and a master’s degree in Political Studies from India, as well as a master’s degree in International Humanitarian Action from University College Dublin. Adheena's commitment to social justice drives her work, making a significant impact in the communities she serves.