I completed my PhD in 2002 in the area of bone metabolism and was awarded the Donegan Medal by the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland (RAMI) in 2001 for work contributing to my PhD. Upon graduating my primary research interest was in the area of health promotion and influencing behaviour change at a population level. In 2004 I was seconded from my lecturing post to research on and co-author the worlds’ first National Men’s Health Policy (2008) and the subsequent National Men’s Health Action Plan (2016). Since 2004, I have primarily conducted action based research in the area of men’s health promotion. I was PI for the national Men on the Move study; a 12-month study that investigated the delivery process and the impact of a community-based health promotion programme for inactive men in Ireland which is not being rolled out nationally.   I am co-author of Ireland’s national men’s health training programme, ENGAGE that is funded by the HSE; I have worked with the HSE and National Youth Council of Ireland to develop and deliver Facilitation Skills training to health promotion staff and youth sector workers nationally.  This training was designed to support them to a) make healthier choices for themselves through the development of self-awareness and, in turn, b) address the mental and emotional issues of the young people with whom they work more effectively.  I have considerable experience of international collaborations; I was a co-applicant on a weight loss intervention study, led by staff at Stirling University that is investigating text based narratives to promote weight loss among men; and I was an advisor to a) a systematic review of male weight loss and obesity that was led by staff at the University of Aberdeen and b) a review of men’s food the health behaviour (Safefood Ireland).  I have extensive experience of partnership working with government, community and voluntary agencies and I have presented my work both nationally and internationally. I have experience in both undergraduate and postgraduate research supervision and have also acted as a research consultant on a number of health promotion initiatives. I am currently Co-course Leader on the MA in Advanced Facilitation Skills for Health and Well-Being.   Above all, I am a human being in many forms, a mother of 3 amazing human beings and a wife to a great man.  In all areas of my life, I always endeavour to grow and to be and influence growth in others.