Research Degrees


Current Research Degrees


Oonagh Lyons PHD Ulster University

 Nutritional issues in young children and older adults

Supervised by Dr Maeve Kerr, Prof Helene McNulty, Dr Mary Flynn


Shane Gordon PHD Ulster University

Promoting better brain health in ageing through improved nutrition and lifestyle: a transdisciplinary approach integrating nutrition, genetics and data-analytics

Supervised by Dr Catherine Hughes, Dr Leane Hoey, Prof Helene McNulty, Prof Mary Ward


Lynsey Montgomery PHD Ulster University

Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Mental Health in Ageing

Supervised by Dr Catherine Hughes, Dr Leane Hoey, Prof Helene McNulty, Prof Mary Ward


Umair Shabbir PHD Ulster University

Nutrition, immune function, and the gut microbiome: impacts on the ageing brain

Supervised by Dr Leane Hoey, Dr Catherine Hughes, Prof Helene McNulty, Prof James Dooley


Donal Fitzpatrick MD Trinity College Dublin

The relationship of medications and hyperparathyroidism to bone mineral density in older adults. 

Supervised by Dr Kevin McCarroll, Dr Rosaleen Lannon


Research Degrees Awarded



Michelle Clements PhD

2022 PhD Awarded “Studies of vitamin B12, folate and the metabolically related B-vitamins, and their relationship with bone health, in older adults”

Supervised by Prof Helene McNulty, Prof Mary Ward, Dr Catherine Hughes, Dr Leane Hoey


James Mahon MD

2022 Trinity College Dublin MD Awarded “Hip fractures in older adults and treatment with intravenous zoledronic acid”

Supervised by Dr Kevin McCarroll, Prof JB Walsh


Harry Jarrett PhD

2021 PhD Awarded “Riboflavin and vitamin B6: metabolic interactions and impacts for population health”

Supervised by Prof Mary Ward, Prof Helene McNulty, Prof Kristina Pentieva, Dr Catherine Hughes


Elina Psara PhD

2020 PhD Awarded “One carbon metabolism, blood pressure and risk of hypertension through the lifecycle”

Supervised by Prof Helene McNulty, Prof Kristina Pentieva, Prof Mary Ward


Avril Beirne PhD

2019 Trinity College Dublin PhD Awarded “Vitamin D deficiency: cognition, mortality and resource utilisation – prospective associations ”

Supervised by Prof Conal Cunningham


Katie Moore PhD

2018 PhD Awarded “B-vitamins and the ageing brain: human studies incorporating novel technologies”

Supervised by Prof Helene McNulty, Prof Mary Ward, Dr Catherine Hughes, Dr Leane Hoey


Kirsty Porter PhD

2017 PhD Awarded “Causes, consequences and public health implications of low B-vitamin status in ageing”

Supervised by Prof Helene McNulty, Prof Mary Ward, Dr Catherine Hughes, Dr Leane Hoey


Catherine McGarel PhD

2015 PhD Awarded

Supervised by Prof Helene McNulty, Prof Mary Ward, Dr Catherine Hughes, Dr Leane Hoey


Kevin McCarroll MD

2014 Trinity College Dublin MD Awarded “Vitamin D in older adults and its relationship to cognition, blood pressure, mood and falls”

Supervised by Prof Conal Cunningham


Rosie Reilly PhD

2014 PhD Awarded “MTHFR genotype and B-vitamin status through the lifecycle”

Supervised by Prof Mary Ward, Prof Helene McNulty


Michelle Clarke PhD

2013 PhD Awarded “The role of B-vitamin status, homocysteine and the MTHFR 677C→T polymorphism in bone health”

Supervised by Prof Helene McNulty, Prof Mary Ward, Dr Catherine Hughes, Dr Leane Hoey


Eamon Laird PhD

2012 PhD Awarded

Supervised by Prof Helene McNulty, Prof Mary Ward, Dr Catherine Hughes, Dr Leane Hoey


Carol Wilson PhD

2010 PhD Awarded “The MTHFR C677T polymorphism and riboflavin: a novel gene-nutrient interaction affecting blood pressure”