W100 Representative
Abi KellyDirector of International Engagement and External Relations
Abi Kelly joined RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2020 as Director of International Engagement and External Relations with responsibility for the Office for Institutional Research and Planning.
Her role is to support the University’s reputation raising strategy and build its brand among key stakeholders. A key ambition for RCSI is to be recognised in the Top 200 of universities in the world.
Prior to her role with RCSI, Abi spent 8 years at Newcastle University (UK) where she was Executive Director of Corporate Affairs managing the external profile of this Russell Group university. She also led communications for the N8 Research Partnership, a collaborative mission group of the eight research-intensive universities in the North of England.
She has spent 28 years working in the Public Relations industry in the UK, including roles in local and regional government, and as a PR Consultant for private-sector clients including Whitbread and Nissan.
Founded as the national training body for surgery in Ireland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has been at the forefront of healthcare education since its establishment in 1784. As an independent, not-for-profit institution, we chart our own course in the pursuit of excellence in human healthcare.
Today we are an innovative, world-leading international health sciences education and research institution with undergraduate and postgraduate schools and faculties across the health sciences spectrum. We are home to numerous healthcare institutes as well as leading research centres driving pioneering breakthroughs in human health.
A deep professional responsibility to enhance human health through endeavour, innovation and collaboration in education, research and service inform all that we do. We welcome students and researchers into programmes of academic excellence and a lifelong community of colleagues that is clinically led, nurturing and supportive to enable them to realise their potential to serve our global patient community.
The Latest from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
We're opening the doors of RCSI for #HeritageWeek2025 with tours of 123 St Stephen's Green by our Head Porter, Frank Donegan on 18 and 20 August and a special talk, ‘From apothecaries to innovation; The story of pharmacy in Ireland’ on 19 August.
More: https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/events/event/2025/heritage-week
Abstract submissions for the RCSI-NSRSC Research Symposium at the Millin Meeting are now open.
Surgical trainees, NCHDs and early career surgeons are encouraged to showcase their research and compete for the RCSI National Surgical Research Medal.
🔗 https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=50FwYBKocEa9MDD52yEPBmp1Gb2oNoFKhGH1hHmJNwFUOTBLTzBMWUQ5SDdESFRHSVQ3S0U2QjBFTS4u
A new RCSI study in @NatureComms reveals how blocking HDAC6 alters metabolism in cancer cells.
It also shows a new role for HDAC6 in regulating cells' energy pathways, making it a potential target for tumour metabolism.
Read the paper ➡️ https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61897-6
#RCSIdiscover
The winners of RCSI’s High Potential Innovation Awards have been announced.
The winning projects explore access to vaccinations against shingles, preparing older patients for kidney transplants and the avoidance of inappropriate cell testing in labs.
🔗 https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/news/news-article/2025/07/rcsi-high-potential-innovation-awards-announce-winning-projects
To mark #WorldSjögrensDay we have a display in @Beaumont_Dublin hospital foyer today showcasing the photovoice study.
We will also be launching our full ‘Snapshots of Sjögren’s’ exhibition & booklet in @RCSI_Irl tonight 6-8pm.
Dr Aamir Hameed won the Vice Chancellor’s Commercialisation Innovation Award at RCSI Research Day.
The award recognised his work in founding the RCSI spin-out company Pumpinheart to progress a miniaturised heart pump technology for the treatment of heart failure.
#RCSIdiscover
Save the date for the 2025 Millin Meeting on Friday 14 November.
A must-attend event for the #surgical community to come together to discuss the latest trends in surgery 💬
Registration is essential, CPD available: https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/events/event/2025/millin-meeting
New research led by Dr @OLeary_Noreen and @DrCiaraOToole reveals the large-scale shortcomings of Ireland’s reconfigured children’s disabilities services.
The study examines first-hand experiences of speech and language therapists.
More ➡️ https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/news/news-article/2025/07/issues-preventing-speech-and-language-therapists
#RCSIdiscover
@OLeary_Noreen @DrCiaraOToole @UCC @fussireland @InclusionIre @AsIAmIreland
A new exhibition from @SYNERG_IE at RCSI offers powerful insights into what it means to live with Sjögren’s.
Participants were invited to document their experiences of Sjögren’s through photography and personal reflection.
Learn more and register ➡️ https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/news/news-article/2025/07/exhibition-at-rcsi-shares-lived-experience-of-sjogrens
Developing students tobecome ‘world citizens’
RCSI has extensive international partnerships including:
Clinical/research elective agreements and Erasmus partnerships with an extensive list of international institutions including Johns Hopkins University, McMaster University and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Joint undergraduate Pharmacy programme with Soochow University, China
Transnational education operations/partnerships in Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain), Malaysia (RCSI UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC) and PU-RCSI School of Medicine) and Dubai (RCSI Dubai)
5% of research output produced through international collaboration with 1,758 institutions worldwide (Source: SciVal 2013-2017 accessed February 2019)
Mission and vision
- To educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health
- Respect
- Collaboration
- Scholarship
- Innovation
At the global forefront of pioneering medical research
18,000
alumni, practicing in 97 countries
€35.1m
Research grant income 2018
The mission of RCSI’s research strategy is to improve human health through translational research: clinical, laboratory-based and health service research informed by bedside problems, and societal and global health challenges. We promote innovative research that leads to improved diagnostics, therapeutics and devices; tackles important healthcare delivery issues; informs policy and clinical practice and enhances the quality of education of healthcare professionals.
RCSI is developing research centres in areas of excellence and critical mass, focused on clinical and patient-centred research:
- Cancer
- Regenerative Medicine
- Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
- Surgical Science and Practice
- Population Health and Health Services
- Vascular Biology
Become a Member
The World 100 Reputation Network is a group of the best universities in the world, delivering research that enhances reputation and offering leaders the chance to develop their own careers on a global stage. Members benefit from events and study tours, training, monthly media monitoring, and unique reputation research to provide institutional advantage.