Prof Eilís Dowd received her PhD at the University of Edinburgh, UK, after which she completed post-doctoral research at the University of Cambridge, UK, McGill University, Canada and Cardiff University, UK. She then returned to her home country of Ireland in 2005 to take-up a tenured position as Lecturer in Pharmacology at National University of Ireland, Galway. Eilís was President of Neuroscience Ireland, Irelands official neuroscience society, from 2017-2019, and President of the Network for European CNS Transplantation and Restoration (NECTAR) from 2014-2018.She currently sits on the Executive Committee of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and Chairs the FENS Communications Committee. She is also Associate Editor of Neuronal Signaling, Section Editor of the European Journal of Neuroscience, and Editorial Board member at the British Journal of Pharmacology. CAREER PROFILE Education amp; Post-Doctoral Positions: 1996 - 1999:PhD in Pharmacology, The Universityof Edinburgh, UK 1999: Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Cambridge, UK2000 - 2002: Wellcome Trust Post-Doctoral Fellow, McGill University, Canada2002 - 2005: Wellcome Trust Post-Doctoral Fellow, Cardiff University, UK Academic Positions: 2021 - Present: Personal Professor in Pharmacology, NUI Galway, Ireland2014 - 2021: Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology, NUI Galway, Ireland2005 - 2014: Lecturerin Pharmacology, NUI Galway, Ireland Notable Scientific Positions: 2017 - 2019: President, Neuroscience Ireland2014 - 2018: President, Network for European CNS Transplantation and Restoration (NECTAR)2020 - Present: Member, FENS Executive Committee2020 - Present: Chair, FENS Communications Committee2017 - 2019: Member, FENS Governing Council2017 - 2019: Member, International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO) Governing Council Journal Positions: 2020 - Present: Editorial Board, British Journal of Pharmacology2018 - Present: Section Editor, European Journal of Neuroscience2016 - Present: Associate Editor, Neuronal Signaling2014 - 2019: Editorial Board, Scientific Reports

Overview:Parkinsons disease is a motor disorder and the main symptoms of the disease are caused by the progressive degenerative of dopamine-containing neurons from a discrete region of the brain. Current therapy only provides relief from the symptoms of the disease - it does not offer a cure, nor does it halt the unrelenting degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons.Eilís research is focused on experimental approaches that offer the possibility of halting or repairing the degenerative process. These include developing and validating novel neuroprotective or neuroreparative drug, gene, cell and biomaterial therapies.One of Eilís main research interests is whether neurotrophin-enriched collagen hydrogels can enhance the repair and reconstruction of the Parkinsonian brain provided by cell-based therapies. The promise of this approach is highlighted by the fact that her published work in this field was recently featured in the BBC Science Focus magazine as one of a target=_blank rel=nofollow href=https:www.sciencefocus.comthe-human-bodyfive-incredible-advances-in-brain-disease-treatmentFive Incredible Advances in Brain Disease Treatment and the British Neuroscience Association described it as a a target=_blank rel=nofollow href=https:www.bna.org.ukmediacentrenewsparkinsons-disease-breakthrough-hidden-in-the-matrixGround-Breaking Study by Neuroscientists in Ireland . This research was also the focus of the recent Parkinsons documentary a target=_blank rel=nofollow href=http:alicemcdowell.comfeats-of-modest-valourFeats of Modest Valour which won The Scientist Award and the runner-up Peoples Choice Award at the Imagine Science Film Festival in New York, as well as the Professional Documentary Award at the Raw Science Film Festival in California. The Scientist Award is given by the leading international science journal, Science, and its publisher, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the select jury included Nobel prize-winning scientist, Professor Martin Chalfe, and award-winning science journalist, Professor Carl Zimmer.Research Funding: Science Foundation Ireland Title: Harnessing the potential of biomaterials for improving stem cell-derived brain repair for Parkinsons diseaseRole: PI Amount: 460,000 Duration: 102019 to 092023Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research Title: Biomaterial-enhanced cellular brain repair for Parkinsons disease Role: PI Amount: 300,000 Duration: 102019 to 032022 Irish Research Council Title: Neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration: Harnessing the potential of microglial cannabinoid CB2 receptors for anti-inflammatory disease modification in Parkinsons disease. Role: PI Amount: 72,000 Duration: 102018 to 122021 European Union Horizon 2020 Programme Title: BrainMatTrain: Development of Biomaterial-based Delivery Systems for Parkinsons disease. Role: Co-PI Amount: 4,000,000 of which 500,000 was for Eilis Dowd Duration: 012016 to 122019 Irish Research Council Title: Adult stem cells as vehicles for delivery of neurotrophins to the Parkinsonian brain. Role: PI Amount: 96,000 Duration: 102014 to 102018 Irish Research Council Title: Gene-environment interactions as an approach to modelling Parkinsons in rats. Role: PI Amount: 96,000 Duration: 102013 to 092017 Irish Health Research Board Title: Harnessing the anti-inflammatory potential of cannabinoid CB2 receptors for disease modification in Parkinsons disease. Role: PIAmount: 200,000Duration: 102012 to 092016 Irish Research Council Title: Development and characterisation of novel gene-environment interaction rat models of Parkinson,s disease Role: PI Amount: 96,000 Duration: 102012 to 092016 Science Foundation Ireland Title: Harnessing adult stem cells for neurotrophin delivery to the degenerating brain. Role: PI Amount: 250,000 Duration: 092011 to 092016 Science Foundation Ireland Title: Assessment of the biocompatability and biodegradation of biomaterial scaffolds in the rat brain. Role: Funded investigator;Network for Excellence in Functional BiomaterialsAmount: 162,000 Duration: 032011 to 042013 Science Foundation IrelandTitle: Behavioural and neuropathological characterisation of a novel intracerebral rotenone model of Parkinsons disease. Role: PI Amount: 165,000 Duration: 092008 to 032012 Science Foundation Ireland Title: Heat shock proteins as a novel neuroprotective therapy for Parkinsons disease. Role: PI Amount: 250,000Duration: 092007 to 032011 Irish Research Council Title: The endocannabinoid system as a novel pharmacotheraputic target for Parkinsons disease Role: PI Amount: 72,000 Duration: 102007 to 032011 Irish Health Research Board Title: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as an alternative source of cells for neuroreparation andor neuroprotection in Parkinsons disease. Role: PI Amount: 165,000 Duration: 102006 to 092010 Parkinsons UKTitle: Effects of alternative cell repair therapies on deficits induced by dopamine cell loss Role: Co-PI Amount: 175,000 Duration: 062003 to 052006 Wellcome Trust Title: Functional evaluation of rat models of neurodegenerative diseases. Role: PIFellow Amount:160,000 Duration: 012000 to 042003

Prof Dowd teaches in a variety of courses, and is responsible for coordinating a number of programmes, most notably the 4th year BSc in Pharmacology, the Structured PhD in Pharmacology (from inception to 2020), and the Graduate Research Committees in Pharmacology(from inception to 2020).She is a committed and passionate teacher who has always loved to teach. At the heart of her teaching is a desire to share her passion and love of pharmacology with her students. Indeed, she wants to stimulate intrigue in her students - intrigue about how drugs work and their effects on our bodies, both beneficial and harmful. Teaching Awards:2021: Deans Award for Teaching Excellence: Dr Dowdwas awarded the Deans Award for Teaching Excellence from the College of Medicine, Nursing amp; Health Sciences in 2021.2014: Presidents Award for Teaching Excellence: Team Leader. Dr Dowdwas Team Leader for the Pharmacology Team awarded the Presidents Award for Teaching Excellence in 2013-2014.2018: National Forum DELTA Award Shortlist:Team Member.Dr Dowd was Team Member of the Pharmacology Team shortlisted for a National Teaching Award for Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DELTA) from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in 2018.