COMMITTEE

Eva Woods is a Ph.D. researcher at Trinity College Dublin with a focus on neuroimaging and electrophysiological analysis techniques, including EEG, TMS, and MRI, to identify early biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Her research combines computational neuroscience, neural engineering, and neurotechnology, aiming to advance diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for these conditions.

Eva holds a BSc in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from Maynooth University, where she collaborated with the Electronic Engineering Department on her thesis research involving Brain-Computer Interfaces and Neurofeedback Training. This work sparked her passion for using innovative technologies to address complex neurological challenges.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Eva is currently the Director of Women in Research Ireland, where she is dedicated to supporting and promoting the visibility of women in the scientific community. Previously, she served as a member of the Early Career Researchers Network committee of Neuroscience Ireland, where she contributed to fostering the development of early-career scientists. Eva has been recognized with several awards for her research presentations and pursuits, including the Sarah Pursur Medical Fund, which further underscores her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.

Joanne Kenney is a researcher at Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, where she uses machine learning and neuroimaging to study the relationship between physical and mental illness. She earned her PhD in Medicine (Anatomy) from the University of Galway. A passionate advocate for women and minorities in science, Joanne co-founded Women in Research Ireland (WIRI) and was its director from 2019 to 2021. She served as President of Trinity Women Graduates in 2023 and currently chairs the Trinity College Dublin Alumni Association in London. Joanne is excited to re-engage with WIRI at a time when supporting women and minorities in research is more important than ever.

Danielle is an undergraduate student studying law and political science in Trinity College Dublin. She has a specific interest in human rights and international law and has undertaken research under these disciplines with a focus on women's rights. She is excited about what WIRI can achieve in the research space and recognises the paramount importance of their work.

Julianna Aitken is the Secretary of Women in Research Ireland (WIRI). She earned her degree in Psychology from Maynooth University, where she developed a strong foundation in understanding human behavior and mental health. Currently, Julianna is pursuing a degree in Medicine at Trinity College Dublin, with a dedicated focus on women's health. Her future career goals include conducting impactful research in the field of women's health and establishing specialized clinics aimed at addressing the unique medical needs of women.

For Julianna, WIRI provides an invaluable platform for connecting with like-minded individuals and advocating for gender equality within the scientific community. She is passionate about supporting and empowering women in research and believes that WIRI plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration, mentorship, and the advancement of women in academia and research.

Dr Arjumand Younus is an Assistant Professor (Computational Social Science) at UCD School of Sociology. Formerly, she was a Research Scientist in Afiniti AI, and a part-time lecturer in Technological University Dublin. Before this appointment, Arjumand has contributed to SFI funded projects during her different post-doctoral positions at CONSUS-UCD and INSIGHT-UCD. She is also serving in the capacity of co-director for Women in Research Ireland which is a volunteer-run registered charity working for better representation of women and under-represented groups in academia.

Arjumand received a joint PhD in Computer Science from National University of Ireland Galway (Ireland) and University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy), MS degree in Computer Science from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (South Korea), and BS in Computer Science from the University of Karachi (Pakistan). She is the recipient of Google Women Techmakers scholarship for Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Her research focuses on Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Data Science for Social Good. Arjumand is passionate about the value of artificial intelligence technology to make society better, and at the moment is involved as an academic partner in various AI for Social Good projects.

Dr Roisin McMackin is the Principal Investigator for the McMackin Lab. She is an Assistant Professor in the Discipline of Physiology at Trinity College Dublin and works in close collaboration with the Academic Unit of Neurology at Trinity College Dublin. Roisin's interests encompass how disruption of neuronal function leads to neurodegenerative disease, from microscopic to macroscopic scales. She is particularly interested in how we can sensitively, economically and non-invasively measure normal and impaired brain activity using electrophysiological methods. Roisin is particularly focused on undertaking clinically translatable research, which can lead to more accurate detection, prediction and treatment of diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Motor Neurone Disease and Huntington's Disease. She also works with those developing potential therapies for neurological diseases to help optimise clinical trial designs. 

Cathy has enjoyed a career in Higher Education for over twenty years, in many areas including graduate administration, assessment and program review and accreditation compliance. She returned to Ireland recently after living in the U.S. She earned a BA in English and French and an MA in Women’s Studies from University College Dublin. She earned a Doctorate in Education in Organization and Leadership from University of San Francisco in 2009. A chapter on her doctoral dissertation on Women College Presidents and Authentic Leadership Theory and Development was published in 2013 in Cracking the Wall 20 Years Later: Women in Higher Education Leadership, Edited by Patricia Turner Mitchell, PhD.
Cathy served on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing equity for women and girls through education, advocacy and research. She served as President for three years, and Treasurer for five years. She was awarded the Sarah Dix Hamlin Leadership Award in 2016 for her contributions to the branch. Cathy is a member of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) and serves on the committee of Women in Research Ireland (WIRI). Cathy is a staunch supporter of women's, minority, and LGBTQ+ rights.