This World Parkinson’s Day, we’re proud to highlight the work of Dr Niamh Connolly, a Funded Investigator at FutureNeuro, whose research is driving new understanding of Parkinson’s disease while championing the voices of those living with it. 

Decoding Parkinson’s at a Cellular Level 

A key part of Dr Connolly’s research is the 4DPD-Omics project, a €1.8 million EU JPND collaboration supported by the EU Joint Programme for Neurodegenerative Diseases Research (JPND) through the Health Research Board (HRB). Bringing together a diverse team of researchers and clinicians from across Europe, including Ireland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, the project aims to unravel the molecular complexity of Parkinson’s disease. 

Coordinated by FutureNeuro’s Principal Investigator Prof. Jochen Prehn, 4DPD-Omics is using a multi-omics approach—integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and epigenomics—to examine brain tissue from people with Parkinson’s to understand why some neurons are more vulnerable early in the disease while others seem to resist its effects. The team is zeroing in on abnormal protein deposits called α-synuclein (α-Syn), which are closely linked to Parkinson’s progression. 

By exploring how specific genes and proteins behave in different cell types and at various disease stages, they hope to identify new, more targeted treatments and support the development of earlier, precision-based interventions for Parkinson’s. 

Making the Science Visual and Accessible 

As part of 4DPD-Omics, the team is also creating 4D visualisations of diseased cell profiles to improve how Parkinson’s is understood—by clinicians, medical students, and the wider public. These immersive resources will help communicate the complexity and variability of the disease in new, accessible ways. 

Putting Patients at the Heart of Research 

Last year, Dr Connolly helped launch a Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) panel for individuals with lived experience of Parkinson’s. This panel plays a vital role in shaping research priorities, ensuring that studies remain aligned with the real-world needs of patients. 

In July, the panel’s first meeting marked the beginning of a cross-border collaboration with the Dutch Parkinson’s Alliance and AUMC/VUMC. Now, in time for World Parkinson’s Day, the panel is expanding and welcoming new members. 

Training the Next Generation of Scientists 

Dr Connolly is also a partner in AIPD (AI in Parkinson’s Disease), an innovative PhD training programme funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). With €3.7M in funding, AIPD is dedicated to preparing the next generation of medical data scientists. The programme unites leading academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, med-tech firms, and AI start-ups from across Europe, including RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, under the coordination of Fraunhofer Bonn. 

In response to the growing demand for specialised data scientists in healthcare, AIPD offers PhD students hands-on experience in AI, machine learning, and digital health. In addition, students receive essential training in ethics, regulation, and entrepreneurship—skills that are pivotal for driving future breakthroughs in Parkinson’s disease research and beyond. 

As we mark World Parkinson’s Day, we recognise her valuable contributions to advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and shaping research that is both impactful and inclusive.