
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
A new tool developed by researchers @RCSIPharmBioMol enables the analysis of prescribing patterns in Ireland for the first time.
Users can track prescribing rates and costs over time, giving a clearer picture of national medicine usage.
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#RCSIdiscover

New digital tool launched by RCSI to monitor prescribing trends in Ireland
A new digital tool, developed by researchers at RCSI, will provide real-time insights into prescribing trends in Ireland. More ...
www.rcsi.com
Today we reflect on the five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This video, created in 2021, shows the incredible effort of the RCSI community during that first year.
We acknowledge their commitment to their students and patients throughout the pandemic.
The Beaumont RCSI @CancerCentreIre is leading the Irish arm of a major new research initiative for rare head and neck cancers.
The project aims to enable faster, more accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment strategies.
Read more 🔗
#RCSIdiscover

New research study aims to transform diagnosis and treatment of rare head and neck cancers
The Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre is leading the Irish contribution to a major new European research initiative aimed ...
www.rcsi.com
RCSI Researchers @TissueEngDublin are developing a gene-activated scaffold to aid wound healing in epidermolysis bullosa. It mimics the body's natural tissues to deliver targeted gene therapy.
Learn more in this piece by @debraireland ➡️
#RCSIdiscover

A breakthrough in EB research: how gene therapy could transform wound healing - Debra Ireland
We’re excited to share some groundbreaking research that could change the way wounds heal for people living with ...
www.debra.ie
We were delighted to welcome 250 transition year students to our RCSI MiniHealthSciences programme!
Enthusiastic attendees got involved in medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy and dentistry workshops.
More ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/4drpn
RCSI’s Prof Gianpiero Cavalleri features in three new @GDI_EUproject videos exploring the impact of the 1+Million Genomes initiative on healthcare, research and citizens.
Prof Cavalleri co-leads the Irish arm of the European project ▶️ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLweO8RYcVPDMFzSXDU0yE9OvvMS-BllaT&si=5isia5kkqcVyPpqr
#RCSIdiscover
Congratulations to Prof. Tracy Robson @TracyRobsonMCT on the 2025 IACR @News_IACR Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Medicine Research Award.
The prestigious award recognises her as an inspiring leader for cancer research in Ireland.
🔗https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/news/news-article/2025/03/professor-tracy-robson-receives-prestigious-award
According to new RCSI research, immune cells that 'remember' past inflammation could increase the risk of blood clots long term.
The 'shortened fuse' in these cells may contribute to a higher blood clot risk in inflammatory conditions.
🔗 https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/news-and-events/news/news-article/2025/03/rcsi-study-finds-immune-cell-memories-can-increase-risk-for-blood-clots
#RCSIdiscover
"My message to women in cancer research is, if you can think it, you can do it!"
An inspiring #InternationalWomensDay message from Prof @DrJNaidoo , consultant medical oncologist at @CancerCentreIre , Professor in @RCSI_Irl & Chair of the CTI Lung DSSG.
#IWD2025…
In 1813 the first Chair of Medicine, Professor John Cheyne, is appointed and medical teaching begins on St Stephen's Green
1916 Easter Rising: Insurgents occupied the College under the command of Michael Mallin and Countess Markievicz. RCSI surgeons worked to treat the injured.
In 1990 David Bouchier-Hayes, RCSI Professor of Surgery, performed the first keyhole gall bladder removal in Ireland
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.