Health and Wellbeing

Research Beacon - Health and Wellbeing

The Health and Wellbeing beacon is a multidisciplinary hub developing toolkits and technologies to enhance quality of life amongst individuals and communities. Our expert researchers investigate the underlying mechanisms, prevention, and treatment of disease, developing healthcare innovations, mental health promotion, and broader well-being. We collaborate with international academics, healthcare providers, and industry to explore unique aspects of human health at the molecular, cellular, and whole-body levels. Beyond biochemistry, we work to understand the complex social and environmental factors that influence health at a personal, community, and population level: developing strategies and interventions that positively impact people’s quality of life.

This Beacon focuses on the interplay between physical and mental health, social determinants, and environmental factors while developing a deep understanding of the fundamentals of health and disease. We address these complexities in a holistic manner to promote health and well-being for all.

Key areas within the Health and Wellbeing research beacon include:

Disease, diagnostics, and drug discovery

Advanced therapeutics

We develop new ways to tackle disease, delivering advanced treatments, procedures, and policies. Our multidisciplinary approaches drive innovation, leveraging deep expertise in synthetic and analytical chemistry to develop novel therapeutics and diagnostic tools with improved efficacy and safety for hard-to-treat conditions. Internationally-recognised research strengths in immunology, microbiology, genomics, and biochemistry continually uncover new therapeutic targets and personalised treatment strategies to take advanced therapeutics from benchtop to bedside. This cohesive approach embodies our commitment to advancing therapeutics and improving global health outcomes.

Antimicrobial resistance

A cross-cutting theme of critical importance worldwide, our network of researchers incorporates biologists, chemists, economists, and behavioural scientists to develop comprehensive understanding and mitigations for emerging multi-drug-resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance is recognised as a global grand challenge that threatens our progress in human, animal, and environmental health, and is a core focus for health and wellbeing research at Maynooth University.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Our teams investigate the physical, psychological and societal drivers of neurodiversity and mental health. We promote the prevention, treatment, and management of mental health conditions for the individual in different contexts and environments: in education, the workplace, and in the community. Our research supports lifestyle interventions and talking therapies alongside medical treatments, providing a comprehensive and integrated centre of excellence for mental health professionals.

Lifestyle and technology interventions

Healthcare Innovation and Technology

Our research examines how technological advancements (such as telemedicine, wearable devices, and health informatics) can improve healthcare diagnostics, delivery, and treatment. We develop intelligent tools leveraging the incredibly detailed data delivered by digital healthcare systems, leading the field in both predictive healthcare and equally importantly in the ethical handling of patients’ private histories.

Nutrition and Lifestyle

By studying the causative influences of diet, physical activity, and lifestyle choices on health outcomes, (e.g. exploring the effects of gut fauna on systemic and mental health), we generate high-impact public health outcomes through data-driven, low-impact lifestyle changes. This cluster develops interventions to encourage healthier habits and the prevention of lifestyle-linked injuries at home and in the workplace, incorporating wearable technologies, sports sciences, narcotics research, and systemic supports for community health programmes.

Healthy Aging and Longevity

Investigating the factors that contribute to healthy aging, including gerontology, co-morbidity management, senior healthcare, and age-related diseases. We explore the social and societal impacts of an aging population, and we spearhead the development of technologies and policies designed to provide quality of life and support independent living.

Research

Undergraduate Studies

Postgraduate Studies

International

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