UCD Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Ciara Mageean today.

Ciara was one of our own having graduated from UCD SPHPSS with a BSc in Physiotherapy in 2017. From her student days to her incredible sporting achievements, we have followed her career with pride and awe.

She represented Ireland at two Olympic games, broke long-standing national records, and took home multiple international medals including gold at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome.

She showed such bravery and grace in the face of her illness and we were so happy to see her obvious joy at her recent wedding to Tommy.

She was a true inspiration to all of us.

Sending heartfelt condolences to Tommy, her family and all who knew and loved her. RIP Ciara ❤️

Join us at UCD Open Day on Saturday, 14th November, from 10am to 4pm. All welcome!

Our staff and students will be on hand at our stand in O'Reilly Hall to chat and answer any questions you might have about our undergraduate courses:

BSc Physiotherapy
BSc Sport & Exercise Management
BSc Sport, Health & Exercise Science

You will also be able to attend talks in the UCD Health Sciences Centre where our Programme Directors will outline everything you need to know about our courses.

Find out more and register at ucdopenday.ie.
We can't wait to meet you🤗

#ucdopenday

At last week's HSE Health Protection Conference 2026 "Looking out: Ireland's role in global health security", UCD SPHPSS Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Mary Codd spoke about training the next generation of public health leaders. She also took the opportunity to get her winter vaccinations. Have you got yours yet? 💉
www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu…

The rain didn't dampen the spirits of our Master of Public Health and MSc in One Health students last week at the AI in Science Summit 2026 at O'Reilly Hall, UCD. AIS26, coordinated by UCD and Research Ireland, brought together scientists, industry leaders, investors and policymakers to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on scientific discovery and consider how Europe can drive this transformation with a distinctive and responsible approach.

Our students, led by UCD SPHPSS Associate Professor Mary Codd, attended the summit to get real insights into this critically important area, in particular with regard to how AI can impact areas such as One Health and open science.

Find out more about our Master of Public Health and MSc in One Health programmes at ucd.ie/phpss.

#AIS26 #PublicHealth #OneHealth #UCD #AI #AIinScience

Huge thanks to everyone who dropped by our recent pop-up health and fitness testing stand at the UCD Science Centre!

Students from UCD SPHPSS Physiotherapy and Sport, Health and Exercise Science classes teamed up to offer blood pressure, grip strength and Y-balance testing to the UCD community, sparking great conversations about health and physical wellbeing.

Organised by Frank Kenny (Special Lecturer/Clinical Tutor in Physiotherapy) and Dr James Timmons (Lecturer/Assistant Professor of Strength & Conditioning), this student-led session offered fantastic practical experience and an opportunity for students to learn from each other.

A big shoutout to Healthy UCD for the support and the healthy snacks!