Michelle Roche

Dr Roche is an Associate Professor in Physiology and Co-Director of the Centre for Pain Research at the University of Galway. Her research focuses on enhancing understanding of the neurobiology underlying autism, mood disorders, pain and their interactions with the aim to identify novel therapeutic targets for these conditions. She has a particular interest in the role of neuroimmune, endocannabinoid and opioid systems and sex differences in these disorders. Her research has resulted in over 80 research manuscripts, reviews and book chapters and supported by EU, national and industry funding. Dr Roche is currently European Pain Federation EFIC council member (2025-present) and immediate past-president of the Irish Pain Society (2023-2025). Dr Roche has contributed to and lead on several international networks including as scientific coordinator for PAINDIFF and ENLIGHT PainNet Networks and is the Scientific Communications Coordinator for EU-SABV Cost Action. She is former member of the Early Career Workshop Committee (2021-2023) and Scientific Advisory Committee (2017-2021) of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) and an Editorial Board member of several international scientific journals including Frontiers in Pain Research and Neuropharmacology.

Research Interests and Projects:

Pain-Depression interactions and co-morbidity: Despite depressed patients being twice as likely to experience chronic pain, the neurobiology underlying this co-morbidity remains to be elucidated. Our lab have worked in this research area for the past 15 years, examining how and why pain responding is altered in stress, anxious and depressed states. We have identified the endocannabinoid and opioid systems, and specific neuroimmune pathways, as key players in this interaction and as such may provide novel therapeutic targets for this co-morbidity. We are particularly interested in sex differences, to determine if similar mechanisms may be responsible and viable therapeutic targets for both sexes. Current projects in this area include the EU funded MSCA European Joint Doctoral Programme: HaPpY. Here 15 PhD students across the EU (5 of which will be based at the University of Galway) work to break the vicious cycle linking chronic pain and mood disorders (www.happyejd.com).

Neurobiological mechanisms underlying altered behavioural responding associated with autism. Our research in this area has use preclinial models and identified the endocannabinoid, opioid and neuroimmune systems as key players in mediating and modulating behaviours (social, repetitive, anxiety and pain) known to be altered in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. We have demonstrated that modulation of these systems can alter specific behaviours in a sex specific manner which supports ongoing clinical research in the field. Ongoing research in the Roche lab is examining the mechanism by which these effects occur  with an aim to identify new therapeutic targets for the managment of pain and anxiety for this population.

Endocannabinoid regulation of neuroimmune function: Cannabinoids are well known to modulate inflammatory responses. Data from our lab has demonstrated a distinct and separate role and mechanism for the two main endocannabinoids on acute inflammatory and behavioural responses to bacterial and viral infection. This research has provided valuable insight into the neuro-immuno-modulatory effects of cannabinoids and their potential as a novel therapeutic approach for conditions with neuroinflamamtory component including pain, autism and mood disorders.

Development and characterization of a novel preclinical models of pain. There is agrowing recognition of the need for more translationally valid and relevant models that will better predict clinical efficacy of novel therapeutics. As such we have developed and validated a wide range novel preclinical models to aid in addressing these research questions.

The Roche lab is currently comprised of seven PhD students, two Post doctoral Researcher, one Erasmus+ Intern, one MSc (taught) and 4 undergraduate students. To date, 18 PhD and 3 MSc research students have completed their studies under my supervision. I have also had the privilege to work with and mentor 6 post-doctoral researchers, 9 research assistants and host a number of visiting academics and researchers in my lab.

I am also actively engaged in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching to a wide array of students from medical, nursing and health sciences, to science, engineering and psychology. I am the coordinator for 4th year Physiology (B.Sc. and B.Sc. Biomedical Science) Programme. I also coordinate several modules in Neurophysiology (SI311/SI209/ET1515) and Final Year Research Project (SI435).

I use a multitude of teaching methodologies and formats from lectures and seminars, practicals and lab based projects, small group teaching, flipped classroom teaching, poster and oral presentations and case studies in my teaching.