Professor David Henshall, Professor of Molecular Physiology and Neuroscience at RCSI and Director of the SFI FutureNeuro Research Centre, has been elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy (MRIA), Ireland’s foremost body of experts in the sciences and humanities, at a ceremony held in the Academy’s headquarters in Dublin.

Professor David Henshall’s research focus is on the causes and treatment of the neurological condition epilepsy. Some of his major research projects are examining the patho-mechanisms underlying epilepsy development following brain injury, in particular the role of epigenetics and non-coding RNAs and using the discoveries to develop new therapies for epilepsy and exploring for this disease.

As Director of the SFI FutureNeuro Research Centre, Prof. Henshall has overseen the centre’s growth and impact. The centre has recently launched a new phase with a €17.9m investment to transform brain disease research and treatment. 

Prof. Henshall has authored over 250 original articles and book chapters. He is author of the book Fine-Tuning Life: A guide to microRNAs, your genome's master regulators (Cambridge University Press, 2024). 

He is the Chair of the International League Against Epilepsy's Neurobiology Commission and a Benchmark Steward for the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. He coordinated the European FP7 large-scale collaborative project EpimiRNA (2013-2018) and co-organised the international conferences EpiXchange I and II, which brought together Europe’s major epilepsy research projects. 

Highest accolade

Congratulating Prof. Henshall on his admittance, Prof. Cathal Kelly, RCSI Vice Chancellor, said: “We are delighted to have Prof. Henshall recognised by the Royal Irish Academy, Ireland’s most prestigious academic body. Election to the Academy is the highest academic accolade in this country and this honour is testament to the extensive contributions that Prof. Henshall has made to the research community throughout his career in molecular physiology and neuroscience. I am confident that his work will continue to have an important impact on science and academia, both in Ireland and globally.”

Prof. Pat Guiry, President of the Royal Irish Academy, said: “Ireland should be immensely proud of these 28 women and men who have been elected by their peers and have brought international acclaim to our country through their distinct areas of research.” As Members of the Academy, the members will support the RIA by engaging and leading in activities that strengthen the international recognition of the Academy’s scholarship and serve the public good through their knowledge and insight.

The RIA was founded by charter in 1785 for the advancement of learning and scholarship in Ireland. A small number of new members from a variety of institutions and disciplines are elected to the RIA each year.

Eligible candidates must have a proven track record in engaging colleagues and attracting scholarly interest internationally, demonstrated either through the production of high-impact, novel and outstanding quality publications or through other academic achievements or notable contributions made to the field. At present, the Academy has over 600 members, elected in recognition of significant academic achievements and exceptional contributions to education and/or research.