Two CHI research projects have been funded through the Research Ireland Frontiers for the Future Programme

CHI researchers have secured over €1.4 million in funding for projects that aim to improve the lives of children affected by a rare type of cancer and congenital heart disease.

Professor Maureen O’Sullivan (Consultant Histopathologist at CHI and Clinical Professor at Trinity College Dublin) has been awarded €715,192 to investigate the genetic errors causing a rare type of sarcoma which can affect patients from infancy to adulthood.

Professor Colin McMahon (Consultant Cardiologist at CHI and Professor in Paediatric Cardiology at University College Dublin) and Dr Aamir Hameed (Senior Lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) have been awarded €725,760 to develop mechanical heart support devices for young children with heart defects. This project is funded by Children's Health Foundation.

Congratulation to Maureen and Colin on their success.

On the announcement of the awardees, Dr Diarmuid O’Brien (CEO, Research Ireland) said:

“Research Ireland’s Frontiers for the Future Programme has, at its core, the exploration of high-risk, high-reward ideas, and the building of collaborative teams that produce excellent research. We are proud to be partnering with Children’s Health Foundation, Breakthrough Cancer Research, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and supporting 66 PhD students, 47 postdoctoral researchers, and 13 other research positions.”

On their participation as a co-funding partner, Fionnuala O’Leary (CEO, Children’s Health Foundation) commented:

“Children’s Health Foundation is extremely proud to support the Frontiers for the Future Programme which empowers researchers to pursue innovative ideas which have the potential to transform outcomes for sick children. None of this can be achieved without the incredible generosity of the Foundation’s supporters who trust us to invest in the next generation of scientific discovery and helping to drive meaningful, lasting impact for sick children”.

For more information, visit https://www.researchireland.ie/news/frontiers-for-the-future/