Meet the Core Team

Declan is the Scientific Director of the HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network, Director of Evidence Synthesis Ireland and Director of Cochrane Ireland. He is Professor of Health Research Methodology and Deputy Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway. He is also Principal Investigator with the INFANT – Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research.

Declan trained as a nurse and a midwife, meandered (with the help of opportunity, interest and luck) his way into trials methodology and evidence synthesis and his work now focusses on a blend across midwifery (and broader maternity care), randomised trials and how they are done and synthesising evidence.

Declan clinical areas of interest lie in maternity care with a particular focus on interest in the implementation and evaluation of models of maternity care and on methods of fetal monitoring. Declan’s methodological areas of expertise are randomised trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses and much of his career has focussed on building capacity in this area. He has published over 150 papers (h-index 33 Scopus, Jan 2019) including numerous Cochrane systematic reviews. He has led a number of clinical trials recruiting from 100 to over 3000 participants and serves on a number of Trial Steering Committees including those in pregnancy (e.g., EMERGE, HOLDS, PARROT) and Data Monitoring Boards (e.g., CORD, KEEP-WELL). He is editor with the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group and has authored dozens of systematic reviews. Declan has been awarded over €7 million in research funding as PI or co-PI and more than €8.0 million as co-applicant.

Anne-Marie is a dedicated clinical research leader with a strong background in neuroscience and public engagement. She excels at building collaborative networks across clinicians, researchers, industry, and patients to improve health outcomes.

Her expertise spans clinical trial design, biomarker validation, and multinational project coordination, with a focus on rigorous, reproducible, and translational research. Anne-Marie has led projects from concept to implementation, driving innovation and best practices.

She has also developed training programs, managed multidisciplinary teams, and built strategic partnerships to support high-impact research and policy change. Passionate about mentoring and public awareness, Anne-Marie champions collaboration and open communication to tackle today’s most pressing health challenges.

As National Programme Manager for HRB-TMRN (Health Research Board – Trials Methodology Research Network) Anne-Marie plays a key role in developing, sustaining, and growing a dynamic, flexible, and forward-thinking network. In collaboration with the Network Executive and her HRB-TMRN colleagues, she helps to shape the network’s strategic direction and ensures the successful delivery of its core activities.