Hannigan, Dr Caoimhe

Associate Professor in Psychology (Room 2.17)

01 449 8761

caoimhe.hannigan@ncirl.ie

Dr Caoimhe Hannigan is an Associate Professor of Psychology at NCI and co-directs the ProBrain Research Lab. Caoimhe has significant experience in the design and implementation of research related to cognitive function, health and well-being in older populations.

Her key research interests include modifiable risk factors for chronic health conditions and dementia, brain health and dementia prevention, successful ageing, and interventions to support health and well-being in older adults.

Key Responsibilities at NCI

  • Programme Director BA (Hons) Psychology (Full-Time Programme)
  • Lecturing on BA Psychology - modules including statistics, research methods, cognitive psychology and psychology of ageing
  • Dissertation supervision for undergraduate and postgraduate students
  • Co-Director of ProBrain Research Labratory at NCI

Education

  • PhD in Psychology, Trinity College Dublin
  • MSc in Applied Psychology (Distinction), University of Ulster
  • BA in Psychology (1:1), University College Dublin

Academic Experience

  • Lecturer in Psychology, National College of Ireland (2018 - Present)
  • Associate Faculty Lecturer in Psychology (part-time), National College of Ireland (2017 - 2018)
  • Research Fellow, ProACT Horizon 2020 Project, Trinity College Dublin (2016 - 2018)
  • Study Coordinator, NEIL Memory Research Unit, Trinity Dublin (2011 - 2016)
  • Irish Research Council Postgraduate Scholar (PhD), Trinity College Dublin (2012 - 2015)
  • Research Assistant and Project Coordinator (part-time), COASTAL project (IRC New Foundations Award), Trinity College Dublin (2015)
  • Research Assistant (part-time), BIOMARKAPD, Trinity College Dublin and St James' Hospital (2013 - 2015)

Research Interests

  • Modifiable risk factors for chronic health conditions and dementia; Interventions to support health and well-being in older adults; Brain health and dementia prevention; Cognitive Reserve; Loneliness and social isolation; Psychology of Ageing; Cognitive function and dementia; Impact of health behaviours on mental health and cognitive functioning; Statistical modelling

Recent Funding

  • 2023: Alzheimer's Society of Ireland Dementia Research Award (€40,100): Lead Applicant. Project Title: Increasing the Availability of Cognitive Rehabilitation for People with Dementia in Ireland. 
  • 2022Irish Research Council New Foundations Award (€11,300): Collaborator/Co Applicant. Project Title: Facilitators and Barriers to implementing Cognitive Stimulation Therapy groups for people with dementia in Ireland.
  • 2018: HRB Applied Partnership Award (€160,000). Project Title: "Loneliness and Health: The Moderating Role of Befriending Services". PI: Dr Joanna McHugh Power. Role: Co-Applicant
  • 2015: IRC-funded COASTAL Project investigating Characteristics of Older Adult Loneliness in rural regions (€15,000) PI: Prof Brian Lawlor, Trinity College Dublin. Role: Co-Applicant
  • 2012-2015: Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship (€66,000). Role: Applicant
  • 2012: Trinity College Postgraduate Research Studentship (€42,000). Role: Applicant

Professional Activities

  • Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland
  • Member of the Loneliness Taskforce Research Network in Ireland
  • Member of European Health Psychology Society
  • Member of Irish Gerontological Society
  • Member of Dementia & Neurodegeneration Network Ireland (DNNI)
  • Member of Alzheimer's Society of Ireland's Dementia Research Working Group
  • Member of Global Young Leaders in Dementia Care Research Network, established to support the work of the World Dementia Council

Esteem

  • Awarded the NCI Excellence in Research Award for presentation of the ProBrain Lab Research at NCI Annual Research Day (2023)
  • Shortlisted for NCI President's Award for Research (2022)
  • Selected by UK Science and Innovation Network, as part of the World Dementia Council and G7/G8 Global Action Against Dementia, to participate in the European Young Leaders in Dementia event at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London (27th February 2015). Recommendations from this event, along with parallel workshops in Ottawa, Tokyo and Washington DC, were presented at the first WHO Ministerial Conference on the Global Action Against Dementia (Geneva, 16-17 March 2015). 
  • Awarded scholarship to attend the inaugural conference of the Global Brain Health Institute in Cuba (12-18 December 2015)
  • Recipient of University College Dublin Postgraduate Scholarship awarded on the basis of final year results for BA in Psychology (2007)
  • Recipient of University Scholarship for Academic Session 2005/6 awarded for best overall academic performance in First Year Psychology (BA Hons.), University College Dublin (2005)

Key Publications

Journal articles, conference papers, published abstracts

Reports and Whitepapers

Conference presentations and posters

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