Prof Emma Wallace is Professor and Head of General Practice in University College Cork and a GP in Bandon Medical Centre, Cork.

Her research focuses on the diagnosis and management of long-term health conditions, including medicines optimisation, and risk prediction in primary care.

She is leading a HRB Emerging Clinician Scientist Award investigating polypharmacy and prescribing cascades in older people living in the community. Her research is grounded in collaboration with patient, clinician and policy partners to maximise impact on patient care.

Prof Wallace has leveraged >€7.5 million in research funding as Principal Investigator/co-investigator and has published >130 publications in international journals, including the BMJ, British Journal of General Practice and Age and Ageing. She has received numerous national and international research awards, including recognition from the UK Society of Academic Primary Care and the Irish College of General Practitioners.

Prof Wallace is committed to supporting early and mid-career researchers and is currently supervising 7 PhD/MD postgraduate students and is a mentor for Health Research Board and NIHR UK career development awards. She leads a research team of postdoctoral researchers, research asistants and PhD/MD students from multidisciplinary backgrounds undertaking clinical research to inform patient care and healthcare policy. 

Prof Wallace is an Irish College of General Practitioners Council member and sits on several national and international committees. Roles include: Associate Director, Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT), Scientific Advisory Board Member, TILDA and Steering Committee Member, HRB Primary Care Clinical Trials Network. She was previously Chair of the Academic GP Ireland executive (2021-2025), Irish College of GPs Quality and Safety in Practice committee (2018-2023) and an Associate Editor for the Journal of Comorbidity. 

Prof Wallace graduated with an honours degree in Medicine from University College Dublin and completed her postgraduate speciality General Practice training and PhD in Dublin, supported by a Health Research Board (HRB) of Ireland Fellowship. Prior to her current role, she held academic positions as Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor of General Practice in RCSI Dublin, in addition to practicing clinically as a GP in North Dublin.

Diagnosis and Management of long-term health conditions, Medicines safety and optimisation in general practice, Multimorbidity management, Improving access to care for marginalised groups