Neuroscience Ireland Conference 2025
Conference Speaker Profile
Prof. Áine Kelly
Trinity College Dublin,
Ireland
Talk Title
From neurons to knowledge: Reflections on the practice, purpose and potential of neuroscience education
Talk Abstract
Neuroscience is, arguably, a uniquely complex field of study, spanning a wide range of long-established fields including biology, psychology, chemistry, computer science and philosophy. This disciplinary breadth poses challenges for neuroscience educators to provide the necessary grounding in core concepts while allowing opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching and learning approaches that mirror the collaborative nature of modern neuroscience research.
In this sense, it can be argued that research-led teaching in neuroscience should move beyond the accepted requirement to include the latest published findings within the curriculum and to provide research opportunities for students, and take inspiration from modern research practice by embracing interdisciplinary teaching.
In this talk I will discuss some reflections and insights from 25 years of teaching neuroscience to undergraduates and postgraduates and also consider some broader implications of neuroscience education on public understanding of the brain.
Speaker Biography
Áine Kelly is Professor in Physiology in the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin and a PI in Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience. She completed both her undergraduate degree (BA Mod. in Physiology) and PhD in the Department of Physiology.
Her research focuses on understanding how regular physical activity protects brain function throughout the lifespan. This work examines how exercise-induced changes in neurochemistry and neuroinflammation contribute to cognitive resilience and reduced risk of age-related cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disease, especially through potential modulation of glial cell function, neuroinflammatory processes, and neuroplasticity.
Her work has been supported by funding from agencies including Science Foundation Ireland, the Health Research Board, and the Irish Research Council. She is a former President of Neuroscience Ireland and is presently Trustee of the Physiological Society and member of the International Brain Research Organisation’s pan-European Regional Committee.
She teaches physiology and neuroscience to students across 10 undergraduate and 2 postgraduate degree courses in Trinity College Dublin.