Chemistry, like Math, usually ranks up there as 'least favourite subject' for a lot of us.  Kerryman Dr John O'Donoghue tackles this notion head-on and makes a strong case for why Chemistry can be more attractive than we might think.  From his anti-cancer research to chemical engineering, listen in to hear how varied and creative the study of Chemistry can get.

The attraction of Chemistry with Dr John O'Donoghue

We sit down with Aine Flood, the Education and Public Engagement Manger with I-LOFAR radio telescope in Birr, County Offaly.  She touches on who's best at talking science, misconceptions of science, and all things astronomy.

Why science is for anyone with guest Aine Flood from I-LOFAR

Ussher Assistant Professor in Immunology Fred Sheedy may have trained with Luke O'Neill, but he is forging his own trail.  He established his independent research group that "examinies macrophage function in health and disease".   He pioneered miRNA research in the field of innate immunity during his graduate studies.  On top of it all he finds time to mentor those in the LGBTQ+ community and says representation can make all the difference.

Representation in science, infectious diseases and what the future holds with Fred Sheedy

Trinity student Peggy MacHale chats to us about what it was like preparring for and then finally recieving the news on Front Square that she had earned the Foundation Scholarship, or Schols as they call it.  Trinity Scholars recieve free tuition, accommodation and other perks.

Student Peggy MacHale on getting Trinity's coveted Foundation Scholarship

We have Clinical Psychiatrist and author Brendan Kelly with us on Trinity Talks going into what makes us happy. He has mounds of evidence and tips to share when it comes to factors that lead to a happy life.  Listen in to hear about acceptance, comparision, sleep, exercise and all the other variables that can lead to more happiness.

A formula for happiness with Prof Brendan Kelly

In this podcast we look back over the last ten years of one of the most competitive research institutes in the world – the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute. Home to world leading scientists, TBSI brings together Schools of Biochemistry and Immunology, Medicine, Pharmacy, Bioengineering and Chemistry to conduct research that has real impact on people’s lives. The TBSI is at the forefront of Irish research and teaching and this is its story. 
 

Host 
Dr Megan Hanlon, Research Fellow in Clinical Medicine and creator of Unravelling Science 

Interviewees
Professor Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology and Biochemistry, and Director of TBSI
Professor Luke O’Neil, Professor of Biochemistry and Immunology 
Professor Padraic Fallon, Professor of Translational Immunology, Clinical Medicine
Dr Helen Sheridan, Associate Professor, Pharmacy
Dr Joanna McGouran, Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Dr Michael Monaghan, Ussher Assistant Professor, Mechanical, Manufacturing & Biomedical Engineering
Dr David Finlay, Associate Professor in Immunometabolism and Biochemistry and Associate Professor in Immunometabolism, Pharmacy

Mixdown

Ten years at the top tier of research, TBSI takes stock

Rose Anne Kenny has accolades through the roof, and for good reason: she is a best selling-author, distinguished professor and successful medical gerontologist.   She is also the founding Principal Investigator of Ireland's largest adult population study on the experience of ageing in Ireland - The Irish LongituDinal study on Ageing (TILDA), now in its 12th year of data collection.

But perhaps her most important claim to fame is the positive impact her research is having on ageing populations, around Ireland and beyond.  In this podcast, she gives us a glimpse of what we can actually do to improve our chances of aging in the most joyful and healthy way, and crucially why it is that these actions actually help us in the long run.

Aging well: what does the science say?  With Professor Rose Anne Kenny

Part two of our talk with Professor Rose Anne Kenny on aging well, what the research says will keep us happy and healthy well into old age.

Aging well part two- sex, sleep and finding a purpose

Business Studies and German student Zara Hussey spoke with us from her Erasmus placement in Innsbruck, Austria.  She has had a life-changing experience while going to university in a new country and different culture.  Her non-profit work with JustDiggit has also been eye-opening and rewarding.  Listen in to get some of your Erasmus and study abroad questions answered!  Zara says she is happy to answer questions about her experience with Erasmus: husseyz@tcd.ie.

Trinity student Zara Hussey on the study-abroad experience

Professor Ruth Byrne is a globally acknowledged scholarly leader in the field of Cognitive Psychology: a psychological scientist who has advanced our understanding of the human mind. She has made a distinguished scholarly contribution to psychology through her research on human reasoning and imagination including experimental and computational investigations of reasoning and imaginative thought.

Her discovery that certain kinds of background knowledge can suppress even the simplest of deductive inferences has attracted experimental study worldwide. Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers have modelled it to improve the flexibility of reasoning in AI programmes. It has also led to important theoretical developments in the characterisation of human reasoning. Her work on the human imagination provided for the first time an experimentally tested account of the processes underlying a central aspect of imaginative thought, the creation of alternatives to reality.

Gold Medal winning Prof Ruth Byrne on thinking, reasoning, and the ever elusive human imagination

Dr David McGrath is Director of Trinity's College Health Service and came to this line of medicine through his work at the University of Edinburgh where he found his calling.  He talks us through his early days of experience in emergency medicine and also his work with patients that had what came to be known as AIDS during his time in Kenya.  Dr McGrath talks us through drastic changes in student health brought about by the COVID pandemic and how his practice has changed.  He gives some good insight on what are main factors in improving student mental health.

Dr David McGrath on the challenges and joys of being Trinity's GP

Associate Professor in Genetics and Neuroscience Kevin Mitchell discusses the science behind how characteristics such as sociability, aggression and narcissism are more nature and less nurture.  We don't mould our children as much as we think we do, scientifically speaking.  He touches on genomic prediction in fetuses and how companies are cashing in on the public's desire to test their own.

Do your genes really decide who you are? with Associate Professor Kevin Mitchell

Hailing from Harvard and MIT, Trinity's Ruth Britto could very well be the next scientist to discover a new principle of physics.  Her research looks at the nature of our universe and what it is made of through mathematical equations.  She even knows who feeds equations to Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory, but doesn't quite claim to be a fan of the show.  Listen in to try and get a grasp on what this amazing theoretical physicist does on a day to day basis.

How do we explain the universe we observe? With Associate Professor Ruth Britto.

There aren't many student newspapers that the national media pay attention to, but the University Times is one.  Editors looking for ideas are known to pick up stories from Trinity's largest student newspaper, which was led by our guest Edmund Heaphy from 2015-2016.  This former Student Journalist of the Year and youngest ever University Times editor fills us in on what it took to get there and why Trinity is unparalleled when it comes to student life.

Journalist and former editor of the University Times Edmund Heaphy

Director of Advancement in the Trinity Development and Alumni office, Kate Bond, has a chat with us on what it is like to work on a campaign that aims to raise €400 million and inspire 150,000 volunteering hours, to help the University realise its vision and inspire many generations to come.

Kate Bond takes us behind Inspiring Generations, Trinity's campaign to raise €400 million

Smart, focused and funny, Linda Djougang talks about her unusual route to becoming both a student at Trinity and a rugby player for Ireland.

Trinity nursing student and unexpected Ireland rugby star Linda Djougang shares her story

Trinity's Professor of Genetics Dan Bradley talks about piecing together the human story through ancient DNA, what the massive migrations through Europe mean to us and which population remained virtually untouched by all of this.
How can 1 in 5 people in Donegal have the same relatively recent male ancestor?   He talks genetic fingerprints, time-travelling and more.

The Indiana Jones of Genetics talks all things ancient DNA

Trinity College Dublin and Tangent have launched postgraduate certificates in Dublin, Cavan, Waterford, Tipperary, and Longford aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs and those who wish to bring innovative solutions to their organisations.  

Listen in as we get all the details from the programme director Allyson Lambert , former student Louise Quinn and Communications and Marketing Manager Micheal Lynham.

Changing career or returning to work? Tangent-Trinity's Ideas Workspace might be just what you need.

Masters student Lyndsay Walsh has won a few significant awards in her relatively short career and she's got momentum.  Listen in as we talk about what got her interested in Natural Sciences and what we all need to do to play our part to make Ireland and the world more sustainable.

Stand-out student Lyndsay Walsh on what really needs to happen to tackle climate change

Trinity's Methodist Chaplain in residence and all-around great character, the Rev Dr Julian 'Jules' Hamilton is a favourite among students here.  Listen in to find out why and hear all about the famously inspiring event he co-founded: The Good Summit at Trinity College Dublin.

Chaplain Julian Hamilton comically tells us about his worst day and why students really inspire him

Assistant Professor Dr Deirdre Daly set out to be a nurse, never wanted to be a midwife.  Then after a compulsory course in the subject, she couldn't turn away.  She's become a leading expert in midwifery and women's health after motherhood.  She has created an online resource for mothers to help them thrive after childbirth, not just put up with things and move on as so many do.

Expert midwife Dr Deirdre Daly talks health after motherhood

Associate Prof in History Dr Susan Flavin has a unique take on studying history and her work is bringing together historians and archaeologists to explore what we ate and drank (hint: lots of beer) during the 16th century.

Fascinating food facts from the 16th century with Dr Susan Flavin

Martina Mullin explains how getting healthy is a series of small changes throughout your day, it doesn't have to be an hour at the gym or a complete reboot of your diet.  She also discusses trends in health and what we need to do going forward to ensure that progress doesn't get reversed.

What is the number one roadblock to exercise and how can we fix it? Martina Mullin explains.

Everyone here knows Professor Jane Stout for reintroducing bees on campus and increasing Trinity's biodiversity.  What she's working on is vital; 75% of crops are animal pollinated, 90% for wild plants.  Listen in on the simple ways we can help increase habitat for pollinators and do our part.

We've got 99 bee species and the honeybee's just 1; Prof Jane Stout on all things pollination.

If you don't know Shane's work, you should.  He wrote the book on torture (doesn't work) and walking (works a treat) and is often contacted by lawyers from Guantanamo Bay to cite his research in trials of prisoners.  He's been quoted in UN policy and was on CIA's radar.  Listen in as we try and work out how he does it all, while walking.

Prof of Experimental Brain Research Shane O'Mara on walking, torture and the future of cities.

Brian Lucey is an intriguing twitter-happy top economist and world expert on gold.  Here he chats with Tom Molloy on investing strategies, predictions future currency and why economics is called the dismal science.  Listen in to get a quick lesson from a world-renowned expert.

Doyen of the dismal science Professor Brian Lucey on goldbugs, bitcoin and the future of money.

Diarmuid O'Brien, Trinity's Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer has a seriously impressive resume that he just keeps on building. Listen in as Tom Molloy tries to get behind what makes him tick.

Innovation Districts, patents from Princeton and blazing a new trail: Trinity's Diarmuid O'Brien

Trinity's Consultant Neurologist Dr Orla Hardiman sat down with us to discuss her research in Motor-Neuron Disease, she sees most new cases in Ireland every year.  In her impressive career she has set up more than 10 clinics, some of which have been replicated throughout the world. We discuss everything from googling your symptoms (please no) to shifting Irish healthcare into the community (it'll be hard but worth it).

World-leading MND expert Professor Orla Hardiman

In this fascinating podcast Professor Luke O’Neill FRS, and the author Conrad Keating discuss some of the decisive moments that have shaped global health over the past half century.  Their wide-ranging conversation is framed by the content of Keating’s forthcoming book The Decisive Moments: Tore Godal and the Rise of Global Health. Keating’s book explores some of the decisive moments in global health over the past fifty years, interwoven with the rich life and legacy of the Norwegian scientist, medical pioneer and global health leader, Tore Godal.  In 2019, Godal was described by The Lancet as the ‘quiet colossus of global health’ and one of the most influential global health physicians of all time.

Prof Luke O'Neill and Conrad Keating on decisive moments in global heath

Vice Provost Juergen Barkoff on Trinity's Strategic Plan 2020-2025

Trinity is Ireland's top university and lays claim to a beautiful city-centre 16th century campus, notable alumni (Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett to name a few) and world-class research and education.  This podcast gets to the heart of what makes this innovative university thrive, its people.

Trinity College Dublin Talks

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