Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr. Declan McKernan is currently a Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in Pharmacology (since 2023), following his tenure as Lecturer at NUI Galway from 2011 to 2023. He has served as Course Director for the MSc in Neuropharmacology (2013–2023) and previously for the MSc in Toxicology (2011–2014). Dr. McKernan holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University College Cork (2007), following a B.Sc. (Hons) in Industrial Biochemistry from the University of Limerick (2003), and completed postdoctoral research at the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, UCC (2007–2011). In addition to his scientific training, he earned a PGCert in Teaching and Learning and a PGDip in Academic Practice.
His research focuses on innate immunity, particularly the genetic, epigenetic, and biochemical regulation of pattern recognition receptors such as Toll-like (TLRs) and NOD-like receptors (NLRs). He investigates their role in neuroinflammation, with applications to neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. Dr. McKernan lectures in pharmacology and toxicology across undergraduate science and medicine, as well as postgraduate MSc programmes. He has supervised and co-supervised many PhD and MSc by research students. His research is widely published and available here via: PubMed, ResearchGate & Google Scholar.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
B.Sc, Ph.D
Accepting PhD Students
- Accepting PhD Students
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics where Declan Mc Kernan is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
- 1 Similar Profiles
-
Behavioural, immunological and transcriptomic consequences of post-weaning social isolation and chronic celecoxib administration in mouse
Laighneach, A., Morris, D. W., Patlola, S. R., Improta, M., Desbonnet, L., Donohoe, G., Kelly, J. P. & McKernan, D. P., Oct 2025, In: PLoS ONE. 20, 10 October, e0334451.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
-
Depressive and Negative Symptoms in the Early and Established Stages of Schizophrenia: Integrating Structural Brain Alterations, Cognitive Performance, and Plasma Interleukin 6 Levels
Corsi-Zuelli, F., Donohoe, G., Griffiths, S. L., Del-Ben, C. M., Watson, A. J., Burke, T., Lalousis, P. A., McKernan, D., Morris, D., Kelly, J., McDonald, C., Patlola, S. R., Pariante, C., Barnes, N. M., Khandaker, G. M., Suckling, J., Deakin, B., Upthegrove, R., Dauvermann, M. R. & Mc Kernan, D., Mar 2025, In: Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science. 5, 2, 100429.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Open Access4 Citations (Scopus) -
Endocannabinoid system modulation for visceral abdominal pain in inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Lane, R. M., Egan, L. J., McGuire, B. E., McKernan, D. P., O'Mahony, S. M. & Finn, D. P., 2025, In: HRB Open Research. 8, 40.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Evaluation of preclinical antipsychotic models used to support first-in-human clinical trials
Nguyen, T. V. H., McKernan, D. P. & Kelly, J. P., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: British Journal of Pharmacology.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Evaluation of preclinical antipsychotic models used to support first-in-human clinical trials.
TVH, N., McKernan, D., DP, M. & JP, K., 23 Dec 2025, In: British Journal Of Pharmacology.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Activities
-
School of Medicine Athena Swan SAT(Internal) (External organisation)
Mc Kernan, D. (Member)
13 May 2024 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of committee
-
Dr. Eulalie Lafarge
Mc Kernan, D. (Mentor)
1 Feb 2024 → 31 Jan 2027Activity: Other › Contract Researchers
-
Saahithh Redddi Patlola
Mc Kernan, D. (Primary Supervisor)
2024Activity: Other › Current Postgraduates (Research) Supervised
-
Tommy Patton
Mc Kernan, D. (Co-Supervisor)
1 Sep 2021 → 31 Aug 2023Activity: Other › Postgraduates Supervised
-
Saahithh Redddi Patlola
Mc Kernan, D. (Primary Supervisor)
1 Sep 2021 → 30 Sep 2025Activity: Other › Postgraduates Supervised