Personal profile
Biography
Gillian graduated with a first-class honours degree in BSc Public Health Sciences from UCC in 2015 and with a first-class honours Master of Public Health from UCC in 2016.
In 2020, upon completion of her HRB-funded PhD within the SPHeRE Programme, Gillian established a role as a postdoctoral researcher/epidemiologist at INFANT.
With over a decade of experience in perinatal epidemiology, Gillian’s research interests include advanced statistical analysis of complex and large population-based datasets in Ireland, UK and Sweden with an overall aim of improving outcomes for mothers and babies. She currently has ~50 peer-reviewed publications in the area of maternal and child health. Her research impact factors range from 1.7-39.3, with over 1000 citations, a h-index of 16 and an i10-index of 20.
Research Interests
Gillian is committed to making pregnancy safer and improving health outcomes for mothers and babies.
Her most recent research roles include:
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2025-present: Research Fellow on the Horizon Europe LINDA-FAMILIA project, the implementation of an integrated digital health system for infectious diseases in maternal and child health in East Africa.
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2023-2025: Postdoctoral Fellow on the IRC (Taighde Éireann) DATAMiNE project, the development of a standardised approach to harness maternal and newborn data from the National Maternal and Newborn Clinical Management System (MN-CMS).
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2020-2023: Postdoctoral Researcher on a HRB-SDAP project, the development and validation of risk stratification tools for assessment of maternal and neonatal morbidity using data from the MN-CMS.
Teaching Activities
Since 2017, Gillian has been teaching on the BSc. Public Health Sciences Final Year Project module (EH4010), and co-leading the Master of Public Health (MPH) Campus-based Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis module (EH6044) in the School of Public Health, in UCC.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Development of a prediction model for mortality in infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy
Mitchell, J. M., Rodrigues, C. L., Dunworth, M., Mc Ginley, J., O'Byrne, L., Hall, R., Corcoran, P., Campillo, I. S. L., Mc Kenna, P., Higgins, J. R., McKernan, J., Khashan, A. S., Maher, G. M., Murphy, J., Walsh, B. H., Greene, R. A. & McCarthy, F. P., 5 Jan 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Perinatology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Association between intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry and adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Mitchell, J. M., Walsh, S., O'Byrne, L. J., Conrick, V., Burke, R., Khashan, A. S., Higgins, J. R., Greene, R. A., Maher, G. M. & McCarthy, F. P., Sep 2025, In: International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 170, 3, p. 1038-1047 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Construct validation of a complete postpartum health and well-being patient reported outcome measure: prospective cohort study
O'Byrne, L. J., Maher, G. M., Mitchell, J. M., Khashan, A. S., Greene, R. M., Browne, J. P. & McCarthy, F. P., Feb 2025, In: AJOG Global Reports. 5, 1, 100440.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Data sources on COVID-19 infection and vaccination in pregnancy on the island of Ireland: strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for future pandemic preparedness
Kelly, M., Given, J., Arnott, J., Dolk, H., Greene, R. A., Khashan, A. S., Leonard, S., Madigan, M., O’Mahony, M. T., Loane, M. & Maher, G. M., 2025, In: HRB Open Research. 7, 77.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
LEANBH study: Device satisfaction study for the use of a novel connected home blood pressure system in pregnancy; a prospective cohort study
O'Byrne, L. J., Maher, G. M., Hunter, R., Cunneen, M., Woodworth, S., Adam, F. & McCarthy, F. P., Mar 2025, In: Pregnancy Hypertension. 39, 101191.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Press/Media
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New COVID-19 Findings from University College Cork Described (Data sources on COVID-19 infection and vaccination in pregnancy on the island of Ireland: strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for future pandemic preparedness [version 2; peer ...)
Khashan, A., Maher, G., Arnott, J. & Maher, M.
27/03/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Researchers at University College Cork Zero in on Pelvic Pain (Construct validation of a complete postpartum health and well-being patient reported outcome measure: prospective cohort studyAJOG Global Reports at a Glance)
Khashan, A., Maher, G., Browne, J. P. & Maher, M.
26/02/25
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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New Findings from University College Cork in the Area of Anxiety Disorders Described (Pregnancy and Birth Complications and Long-term Maternal Mental Health Outcomes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis)
Khashan, A., Maher, G., Mccarthy, F., Matvienko-Sikar, K. & Maher, M.
17/07/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media