For over 25 years, Evelyn's research interest has been elucidating the role of orphan nuclear receptors in human inflammatory diseases, particularly arthritis, as well as psoriasis, type II diabetes and cancer. Her research focus is strongly translational with an emphasis on understanding pathophysiological mechanisms in human and animal diseases. Ongoing collaborations with clinicians and research scientists, ensures that this basic research is firmly grounded in clinical relevance. This work has been supported with research grant income from EULAR, Health Research Board and Science Foundation Ireland including a Principal Investigator award from 2010-2015. These awards have strengthened research capacity, enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, and enabled structured career development by directly supporting MSc students, PhD candidates, and Postdoctoral Fellows.

Orcid ID profile 

Google Scholar prolife 

Evelyn is currently lead for UL's Biomedical Science module BM4041. The purpose of this module is to provide students with an overview of the anatomical structures and physiological processes that underlay cell, tissue, and whole system homeostasis. The syllabus covers the histology, physiology and mechanisms to control neural, endocrine and biochemical processes responsible for cell and tissue homeostasis. A key focus of this learning centers on the contribution of homeostatic imbalance(s) that leads to the development of disease(s) including autoimmune disease, inflammatory disorders and pathobiology associated with the biochemistry of metabolic syndromes. Using cell and tissue microscopy, computer based laboratory simulations and virtual reality simulations students examine how the breakdown of cellular and molecular mechanisms leads to the pathogenesis of inflammatory-driven disease(s). Furthermore, the module explores how pathological readouts can be used in diagnosis, design of intervention and in the monitoring of disease remission.

Committed to the concept of research-led teaching, Evelyn strives to communicate her enthusiasm to students in the hope of inspiring intrinsic motivation, autonomous learning and reflective practice. Her teaching philosophy has evolved to incorporate evidence-based learning and she uses annual student feedback and overall class performances in assessments/examinations to continuously modify and improve teaching content and her style of teaching. She uses traditional lectures, small group teaching tutorials, PBL, CAL and practical classes to impart and reinforce important concepts in a variety of different ways. Allied to this, a range of assessment instruments are utilized to encourage the best performance and assist students in achieving their learning outcomes.