Our Team

Chief Executive Officer – vacant

Peter Gallagher

Head of Research Support Services

Peter Gallagher is the Head of Research Support Services for Saint John of God Research Foundation. He is very interested in promoting and supporting research projects in Saint John of God services. He has worked in DETECT and in other Saint John of God Community services Adult Mental Health services since 2012 and joined the Research Foundation in 2013. Peter closely supports researchers with Governance and Data Protection items, and liaises with the Data Protection Officers in applications to the Research Ethics Committee. He also has responsibility for monitoring and managing the online SJOG Smart Simple Research Management System. Peter delivers the Research Seminar Series, a 10 week series of 2 hour sessions which cover the basic steps of conducting research as well as exploring novel aspects and other research technology and developments. Peter holds an honours BA in Psychology and is undertaking CIPP/E qualifications.

Justin Smyth

Head of Library Services

Justin joined as Head of Library Services in October 2021 and is based in the SJOG Hospital Library and Lucena Library Rathgar each week. Justin started in Libraries in 2007 and has prior experience in both public and academic libraries, most recently as Librarian at CCT College Dublin. While working at CCT he qualified with a Masters in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) in 2018. Justin serves on two Library Association of Ireland groups: the Library Ireland Week working group, which works to promote the work of libraries in all spheres and which centres on an annual week of activities and events, and the recently formed Open Scholarship Group, formed to raise awareness of the importance of open access, open educational resources and open research in all disciplines.

The Library at Saint John of God supports researchers at all stages of their professional research endeavours. From clinical inquiries to longer-form projects such as systematic reviews and scoping reviews, the Library, under the aegis of the Research Foundation, works closely with researchers to evolve comprehensive search strategies and academic assistance, and in the wider service to provide access to up-to-date, carefully curated physical and online collections.

Conor Gavin

PRC Co-Ordinator

Joining the team in July 2025, Conor is now the Co-Ordinator of the newly established Psychosis Research Centre (PRC) at Saint John of God. Conor has previously worked as a Recovery Education Facilitator for Mental Health Ireland and a Peer Support Worker as part of the MOST Study (Moderated Online Social Therapy). He holds a Bachelors in Biochemistry and a Master’s in Clinical Neuroscience from the University of Galway with projects focusing on psychiatric genomics, childhood trauma and social cognition in Psychosis and Schizophrenia – Conor hopes to bring this academic experience to this newly created role.

As Founder & Director of the Psychosis Arts Collective, Conor is motivated to also bring his experience of initiating projects and innovation to the setup of the PRC. Conor’s extensive lived experience work includes being a member of the PSYcHE Project at the University of Galway and advising on the development of National Clinical Guidelines for Assessing and Remediating cognitive challenges in First-Episode Psychosis.

Psychosis is a topic of great personal interest to Conor and he will continue to cultivate a strong research ethos in the Saint John of God Research Foundation while working closely with other services, in particular DETECT – Ireland’s first Early Intervention Service for Psychosis.”

Isabella Kakish

Research Assistant

Isabella is a Research Assistant for the St John of God Research Foundation. She works closely with several clinical team members, assisting them in conducting a wide breadth of projects across the research lifecycle. In addition, she supports the Research Foundation team in administrative assistance, organising events, and promoting the team’s work.

Isabella completed her MSc. in Global Mental Health from Trinity College Dublin in 2025. Previously, she completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She has extensive experience working in mental health research, particularly projects focused on vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents, ethnic minorities, and individuals in humanitarian emergencies.

Megan Hussey

Research Assistant

Megan joined the Research Foundation in November 2025, working closely with clinical teams, contributing to research activities within the DETECT Early Intervention in Psychosis Service and Intellectual Disability (ID) services.

Megan holds a Higher Diploma in Psychology and an MSc in Behavioural Neuroscience from University College Dublin. Her academic background has fostered a strong interest in the relationship between brain function, behaviour, and mental health, which continues to inform her research work.

Prior to joining the Research Foundation, Megan gained experience in neurofeedback, assistant psychology, and teaching roles. She has worked with a diverse range of populations, including individuals experiencing psychosis, anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Megan is particularly interested in neuropsychology, mental health research, and the application of neuroscience to improve understanding and outcomes for service users.

Louise Syms

Research Funding and Administrative Executive

In May 2021, Louise Syms joined the Research Foundation as Executive Assistant. Louise comes from an extensive 14 year career with Failte Ireland, National Tourism Development Authority in skills training, education, administration and sales. In 2019 she transferred her skills to the charity sector working for the Irish charity Mellon Educate.

Louise supports the Research Foundation team through administration assistance, is a member of the Research Advisory Committee and secretary for the Research Grants Committee taking minutes for both committees. Louise is involved in organising webinars, conferences, the Learning Exchange Series and hospitality events as well as the annual grant applications. This role is part time working four days a week.

Dr Nora Lieggi

PPI Coordinator

Joining the team in May 2026, Dr Nora Lieggi is the Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) Coordinator at the St John of God Research Foundation. Nora has over 15 years’ experience working in third-level institutions and, more recently, within the health research charity sector, where she has provided high-level support to researchers, clinicians, patients and PPI panel members. She holds a B.A. in Science (Mod Physiology) from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD in Biotechnology from Dublin City University.

Nora is passionate about PPI – where patients and their families work in partnership with researchers to shape research priorities and to be involved in the design, conduct and dissemination of research. This ensures that studies are co-created with the people they are intended to benefit. Her work on the HRB PPI Ignite project at UCD included developing PPI tools such as a PPI planning resource and supporting researchers with PPI in grant applications. She has also been involved in the co-creation of lay summaries of research findings with researchers and PPI contributors. She will now bring this experience to further develop, embed and strengthen meaningful public and patient involvement across the Foundation’s research activities.

ppi@sjog.ie

Patrick Fitzgerald

Co-researcher and Co-designer

Patrick Fitzgerald is a co-researcher and co-designer for the Research Foundation based in SJOG Liffey Services, Tallaght. He helps make projects more creative, inclusive, and easy for everyone to participate in. Patrick uses his experience to ensure that people with disabilities can have their voices heard. His work shows how important it is to include everyone and value their ideas.