The Team Behind the HRB NCTO

Dear Reader,? ?

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the team at the heart of the National Clinical Trials Office (NCTO). We are a group of dedicated professionals with extensive experience and diverse expertise. Each member plays a crucial role in advancing clinical research in Ireland and facilitating studies that aim to improve health outcomes across the nation and beyond. Here’s a brief introduction to the team driving these efforts.?

Michèle Cunnane?

With over 25 years of experience in Clinical Research, Michèle Cunnane is a cornerstone of the NCTO team. At NCTO, Michèle serves as the primary contact for our national trial feasibility programme and coordinates the NCTO Study Feasibility & Start-Up and Budget Costing Working Groups, ensuring efficient and effective setup of clinical trials across the nation.?

Dr. Ruben Keane?

Dr. Ruben Keane, the Quality and Regulatory Affairs Manager, has over two decades of expertise in Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and Pharmacovigilance in Clinical Trials. At NCTO, Ruben oversees internal Quality Management Systems and provides critical advice on quality, regulatory, pharmacovigilance and trial sponsorship issues. She leads the NCTO Quality, Pharmacovigilance and Sponsor working groups, maintaining the highest standards throughout the research process across the full network of our national clinical research organisations.?

Niall Hore?

The NCTO is proud to be the National Scientific Partner for Ireland of the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN); a body which supports the conduct of trials across European nations.? Niall Hore is our European Correspondent (EuCo) with ECRIN and coordinates activities between ECRIN members, the NCTO, and partner trial organisations in Ireland.? Joining NCTO in June 2022, Niall acts as a key contact point for ECRIN in Ireland, facilitating important multinational collaborations in areas such as COVID vaccine trials and supporting trials from Ireland to be conducted abroad as well as EU trials opening?in Ireland.?

Evelyn Crowley?

Evelyn Crowley, the NCTO Data Analyst, leverages her BSc in Public Health and MSc in Clinical Trials to oversee and manage CRF Manager, a national clinical research management system used across many centres in Ireland. With significant experience in clinical research across Ireland and Canada, Evelyn joined NCTO in October 2022.She supports technical and training aspects of the national trial management system and provides regular detailed reports and intelligence on trial activity at sites across the country.?

Fiona Ryan??

Our latest addition to the team, Fiona Ryan, brings over 20 years of industry expertise to the NCTO team in her role as Clinical Industry Liaison Officer (CILO). Her academic credentials include a Master of Business Studies in Strategic Management and Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in European Studies along with decades of experience in state innovation agencies and, more recently, medical device companies. In her CILO role, Fiona supports MedTech companies and entrepreneurs in navigating the clinical research landscape,?providing education and outreach services, networking and engagement with stakeholders and regulators, as well as regulatory guidance.?

Eoghan Cooke?

As the Communications Officer, Eoghan Cooke is the NCTO’s first dedicated expert in this role. Holding a BA in English and Philosophy, a PgD in Philosophy of Science, and an MSc in Interactive Media, Eoghan combines his understanding of the scientific method with innovative communication strategies. At NCTO, Eoghan is responsible for delivering the organisation's message to a wide array of stakeholders and enhancing the visibility and impact of clinical trials in Ireland.? ?

Dr Robert O’Connor?

I started life as a researcher and academic but took my lab research findings into clinical trials more than 20 years ago.? Using that experience I helped bring scientists and clinicians into closer partnerships that enabled significant research awards and associated trials.? I was also Director of Research for our national cancer charity and board member of a number of national research and health organisations.? In my role as Director of the NCTO, I drive our collective ambition to grow the numbers of, and access to, clinical trials in Ireland as well as working with national and regional stakeholders to help identify and overcome the challenges to undertaking this work in Ireland.?

Together, we form a cohesive team enabling the growth and sustainability of a vital part of the health research landscape in Ireland which helps identify new treatments for ill health.??

If we can help you or your organisation with the establishment of trials of medicines or investigations of MedTech in Ireland, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.?

Sincerely,?

Robert O’Connor,? Ph.D.?

Director, NCTO?