June University of Galway appoints Head of first-ever School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences

University of Galway has announced the appointment of Dr Leo Quinlan as the inaugural Head of the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences.

The appointment marks a significant milestone with the creation of the University’s first-ever School of Pharmacy since its foundation in 1845.

Dr Quinlan, a distinguished academic and research leader in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, is currently Vice-Dean for Learning, Teaching and Assessment, and has been a member of the academic community at the University since 1999.

A graduate in Biochemistry with a PhD in stem cell biology, Dr Quinlan has made lasting contributions to education and research, including directing the BSc in Biomedical Science for a decade and serving as the Head of Physiology. Dr Quinlan also played a pivotal role in establishing the University’s new MPharm programme, which will welcome its first cohort of students in September 2025.

The formation of the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences is a major strategic development for University of Galway, bringing together pharmacy and the medical sciences in a new academic unit that will shape the future of healthcare education and research in Ireland and beyond.

Dr Leo Quinlan, Principal Investigator in Human Physiology at University of Galway and Funded Investigator in the CÚRAM - Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, said: “I am honoured to take on this role at such a historic moment for University of Galway. The new School offers a platform to integrate pharmaceutical science into a vibrant, multidisciplinary environment - enabling our students and researchers to make a real and lasting impact on patient care, healthcare systems, and translational research.”

Dr Quinlan also leads the Cellular Physiology Research Lab, a centre of excellence in ion channel, cell and tissue electrophysiology, and serves as a mentor for BioInnovate Ireland, supporting innovation in healthcare technology.

Professor Martin O’Donnell, Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, said: “Dr Quinlan’s appointment represents a significant step forward for the University. His deep commitment to academic excellence and his leadership in shaping our new pharmacy programme will be instrumental in driving a dynamic, research-led educational environment. The School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences is poised to become a centre of excellence, integrating clinical innovation, education, and impactful research that will benefit our students, the region, and healthcare in Ireland.”

Dr Martina Ni Chuláin, Director of Strategic Development at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, said: “At a time when the healthcare system faces ongoing workforce challenges, the introduction of our MPharm programme is both timely and vital. It will contribute directly to addressing the national shortage of pharmacists, preparing a new generation of highly skilled, patient-focused professionals equipped to meet the evolving needs of healthcare delivery.”

Professor John Given, Executive Pharmacy Manager, Galway University Hospitals and Adjunct Professor College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences University of Galway, said: “Dr Quinlan has been instrumental in getting the new Pharmacy programme off the ground at University of Galway. His energy, commitment and organisational skills from day one have been outstanding. To get this programme from the table to the CAO in under two years has been a massive achievement and I wish him well in his new post."

The introduction of the MPharm with the first students starting in September 2025 and the establishment of the School are part of a broader vision to address healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in the West of Ireland, and to more broadly cultivate an advanced research ecosystem where pharmacy becomes a transformative dimension, deepening the University’s ability to address complex health challenges through collaboration, innovation and discovery.

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