Current Research Projects

SAMI Lab

SAMI Lab, directed by Dr. David Mothersill, is a research initiative based at National College of Ireland, dedicated to investigating and addressing mental health stigma, which poses serious challenges for individuals - particularly young people - by affecting employment, housing, and access to support. 

With funding from Esther Ireland, SAMI is conducting large-scale, population-representative research in Ireland and Liberia (in partnership with The Carter Centre) to compare mental health stigma across continents. SAMI’s work aims to inform government policies and public awareness campaigns and collaborates closely with Shine’s See Change Green Ribbon campaign and Headline, promoting responsible media coverage of mental health.

ProBrain Lab

ProBrain Lab, jointly led by Dr. Michelle Kelly, Associate Professor in Psychology, and Dr. Caoimhe Hannigan, Assistant Professor in Psychology, focuses on identifying modifiable risk and protective factors for cognitive decline, understanding how psychosocial and psychological factors influence cognitive aging, and developing interventions to support people living with dementia and their caregivers.

POWER Lab

The Psycho-Oncology Wellbeing Research (POWER) Lab is a currently active research lab within the psychology department at NCI, working to understand how cancer survivors (people who live with and beyond a cancer diagnosis) and their loved ones cope and maintain resilience while managing a serious illness.