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Biography

Dr. Denis Barry was awarded a PhD in neuroscience from the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork in 2005. He subsequently conducted postdoctoral research into genetic brain disorders at the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York. From 2008 until 2011, he undertook postdoctoral research fellowship positions focusing on HIV-1 pathogenesis and cardiovascular diseases at the Centre for Research into Infectious Diseases and the Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin. In 2011, Denis was appointed to the position of Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork. In 2013, he was appointed to the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, TCD, and in 2021, Denis was appointed to the position of Head of Discipline of Anatomy, School of Medicine, TCD and the license holder for anatomical study at TCD. Denis was promoted to Associate Professor in 2024. Also, in 2024, he was elected to serve as a council member of the Anatomical Society of the UK and Ireland. The key direction of Denis' research is understanding the impact of metabolic influence on brain development, while his work across the Anatomical Sciences in pedagogy, anatomic variation and discovery showcase his passion and appreciation of anatomy in human health and education.

Representations

Details	Date
External examiner for the Postgraduate Taught Masters in Human Anatomy, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, UCC (2022 - 2024). Review the integrity of assessments and theses, and individual degree classification. Contribution to programme and course design.	Nov 2021 to present
Council member, the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The Council is the governing body of the Anatomical Society. It plays a key role in promoting the profession, its position in the world of biosciences, and its relationships with cognate disciplines. As an elected Councillor of the Anatomical Society, I am also a Trustee of the Anatomical Society (the Charity), a Director of the Anatomical Society Ltd (the charitable company), and a Director of the Company of Anatomists Ltd (the trading subsidiary of the Society).	4-1-2024
Secretary, the Anatomical Committee of the Irish Medical Schools. This national committee is comprised of Heads of Discipline of Anatomy from all Irish medical schools, and the Inspector of Anatomy for Ireland representing the Irish Medical Council. All legal and procedural issues associated with the retention of human remains and their use in anatomical teaching and research are discussed. Relevant issues related to the media and public awareness are also discussed and press releases prepared. I hold the Anatomy License at TCD and its associated teaching hospitals to oversee anatomical examination (teaching and research) at this institution.	July 2021 to present
Committee member, Dublin Anatomy Committee. This committee is comprised of the Heads of Anatomy from UCD and RCSI. This committee reviews policies in anatomy teaching and research and donor donation procedures and interment, as per Irish Medical Council guidelines.	2021 to present
Committee member, Old Anatomy Steering Group. Contribute to the implementation of the strategic plan for the anatomy museum and its valuable collection of anatomical and pathological specimens, models and works on paper, spanning over 300 years of medical education at TCD.	Nov 2021 to present
Conference program organizer, Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland Summer Meeting, A lens on Anatomical Imaging, UCD	January 2022
Journal Reviewer, Anatomical Sciences Education, Journal of Anatomy, Neural Regeneration Research, International Journal of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Journal of Neuroscience, Glia, Annals of Anatomy, Behavioural Brain Research, European Journal Of Neuroscience, Journal Of Neuroscience Research
Journal Reviewer to 20+ Anatomy, Education and Cell Biology focused journals.	2014 to present
External PhD and MSc examiner at UCD, TCD, NUIG and UCC	2015 to present
Co-organiser of the Annual Memorial Ceremony for families of donors, who have generously donated their bodies for anatomical teaching and research at TCD.	2016 to present
External Advisor, Interview Panel, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, UCC	August

Memberships

Membership of Professional Institutions, Associations, Societies

Details	Date From	Date To
Ordinary councillor, Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Trustee of the Anatomical Society (the Charity) and at the same time, a Director of the Anatomical Society Ltd (the charitable company) and you also become a Director of the Company of Anatomists Ltd (the trading subsidiary of the Society)	2023	2026
The Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland. This is the more influential society in the field of the anatomical sciences. Its aims are to promote, develop and advance research and education in all elements of anatomy. The society hosts bi-annual conferences, at which I attend and present anatomical research to national and international peers. The society has funded my research perspectives and I am currently applying to be an ordinary council member for a three year term.	2013	Ongoing
Chair, Anatomical Committee of Irish Medical Schools. This organization represents the anatomy departments of Irish medical schools and is comprised of Heads Of Discipline of Anatomy, who are the license holders for cadaveric examination at their respective institutions. My role as secretary is to schedule meetings, circulate minutes and drive agenda items as they relate to all elements of anatomical education, cadaveric specimen, media relations and relationships with the Inspector of Anatomy and the Irish Medical Council.	2021	Ongoing
Dublin Anatomical Committee (DAC). The DAC is comprised of the three heads of Discipline of Anatomy Departments at TCD, RCSI and UCD. The DAC meets biannually to discuss matters relating to the human tissue bill, the Dublin medical school's plot at Glasnevin cemetery for donated tissues, and all shared elements to the donor programs at each institution, including local anatomical research committees, embalming and tissue retention policies. I will be the DACs secretary in 2023.	2021	Ongoing
International Federation of Associations of Anatomists. The IFAA is an organization consisting of national and multinational anatomical associations.	2013	Ongoing
European Federation for Experimental Morphology	2013	Present
European Society of Radiology	Jan 2023	Ongoing
The Royal Microscopy Society. The Royal Microscopical Society is dedicated to the promotion and development of microscopy and imaging. I have enjoyed membership of this society engaging with users of microscopy in industry and academia, microscopy manufacturers and suppliers, and research leaders in their various fields within the biological and anatomical micro-sciences.	2016	Ongoing
Laidlaw Scholars Network. I am a funded Laidlaw Scholars Supervisor through the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme, supporting undergraduate medical student research at TCD in brain development. I am ongoing member of the LSN, whose network aims to develop a new generation of leaders who are skilled researchers, motivated undergraduate students, giving them the knowledge, skills and experience to become active global citizens and future leaders.	2019	Ongoing

Publications and other Research Outputs

Publications

Peer Reviewed (81)
Non Peer Reviewed (19)

M. Trucas, E. Armocida, V. Cani, M. Vincis, D. Barry and M. C. Garbarino, Shaping Anatomical Theatre"s Teaching Environment: Antonio Scarpa and the Places of Anatomy, Journal of Radiogical and Surgical Anatomy, 48, (124), 2026, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI URL

Dearbhla P. Cullinane, Basil Lim, Denis S. Barry, Immortalising cadaveric brain dissection using application photogrammetry, Brain structure and function, 231, (24), 2026, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI URL

Professor Alessandro Riva Pietro Gobbi, Vittoria Artico , Denis Barry, Marco Artico, Marcello Trucas, From Eustachio"s tube to precision otology: anatomy, endoscopy and AI"enabled care for childhood hearing loss, Nature Medicine, 2026, Journal Article, SUBMITTED

Kinza Salim, Klaudia Toczyska, Denis Barry, Hoang D. Nguyen, Building a Foundational Agentic AI Model for Transforming Anatomy Education, Irish Network of Healthcare Educators Annual Scientific Meeting, University of Galway, June 18-19th, 2026, Meeting Abstract, PRESENTED URL

Joseph W. Molloy, Karl Keogh, Mary-Kate McLoughlin, Lauren Devitt, David Lee, Eric Downer, David Robert Grimes, Denis Barry, Genomic analysis of ketolytic and glycolytic gene expression in neuroblastoma with respect to MYCN oncogene amplification, stage, and prognosis, Cancer reports, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI URL

Dearbhla Cullinane, Ashley Dufree, Neil Fleming, Denis Barry, Functional neurological disorder in healthcare provider education: A scoping review of current teaching strategies and outcomes, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI URL

Michela Vincis, Claudio Intini, Daniel Johnston, Andrea Diana, Denis Barry, The potential translational utility of embalmed cadaveric gastrointestinal tract specimens: a proof-of-concept study, Translational Research in Anatomy, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI URL

Marcello Trucas, Denis Barry, Melissa J. Conroy, Michela Vincis, Andrea Diana, Claudio Intini, Pietro Gobbi, Clara Gerosa, Daniela Fanni, Andrea Perra, Liver Innervation in Health and Disease: Neuroimmune-Neurovascular Interface and Future Therapeutic Implications, Biomedicines, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI URL

Joe Molloy and Denis Barry, The Interplay Between Glucose and Ketone Bodies in Neural Stem Cell Metabolism, Journal of Neuroscience Research, 102, (5), 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI URL

Ashley Durfee, Emma Finnegan, Claire Lewis, Callum Franklin, Ourania Varsou, Denis Barry, A Cadaveric Analysis of the Efficacy of Blind Injections into the Lateral Pterygoid Muscle, Folia Morphologica, 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI URL

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Dearbhla Cullinane, Ashley Durfee, Denis Barry, 'The depth and impact of functional neurological disorder teaching in healthcare education: A scoping review', Open Science Framework, 2023, -, Protocol or guideline, PUBLISHED

Hannah Lee, Sarah Alturkustani, Audrey MK Dempsey, Kieran W. McDermott, Aisling Corbett, Siobhain M. O"Mahony, Dearbhla Cullinane, Ashley Durfee, Denis Barry, Mutahira Lone, Andreea Factor, Exploring New Horizons in Anatomy Education Through Virtual Reality: A Multi-Institutional Study, Journal of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health: Teaching and Learning Showcase, University College Cork, 14th June, 2023, Poster, PUBLISHED

Denis Barry, Enhancing Blended Learning in Anatomy Education, Undergraduate Studies Committe, Trinity College Dublin, 25-Jan, 2022, Oral Presentation, PRESENTED

David Lee and Denis Barry, The Effects of Ketone Body Supplementation on the Growth of SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells, 12th International Cancer Conference Autumn Meeting, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, TCD, Oct 13th to Oct 14th, 2022, Poster, PRESENTED

Mohammad Alherz, Gerard OKeeffe, Denis Barry, Investigating the Effects of Ketolytic Metabolism on Neuroblastoma Growth and Viability, Neuroscience Ireland Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) Conference, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, TCD, Oct 28th, 2022, Poster, PRESENTED

Dearbhla Cullinane and Denis Barry, Reviving the Anatomic Past: Breathing New Life into Historic Anatomical Teaching Tools, National Forum Valuing Ireland's Teaching and Learning (VIT&L) Week , Virtual, November 10th, 2021, Oral Presentation, PRESENTED

Zubair Sabz Ali, Lauren Devitt, Mary-Kate McLoughlin, Denis Barry, R2: A Novel Platform to Assess the Metabolic Dynamics of Primary Neuroblastoma, Technological Advances in Science, Medicine and Engineering Conference 2021, Virtual, July 2nd - July 4th , 2021, Poster, PUBLISHED

Dervla O'Malley, Denis Barry and Mark Rae, The increasing reliance of pre-clinical medical students upon social media to study physiology, EdTech, Dundalk IT, May 30-31st, 2019, 2019, Poster, PRESENTED

Damien Doherty and Denis Barry, The cellular effects of ketone body exposure, Laidlaw Conference, University of St Andrews, 12-13-2019, 2019, Poster, PRESENTED

Jack Power, Patrick Dempsey, Denis Barry, Shane Davy, Greg Slater and Michelle McNicholas, Radiology in Anatomy Undergraduate Teaching in Australia and New Zealand, Annual Scientific Meeting Faculty of Radiologists, Dublin RCSI, 23-25th September, 2018, Meeting Abstract, PRESENTED

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Awards and Honours

Award	Date
Elected to post of councillor, Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland	2023 - 2026
Nominated for a Trinity Excellence in Teaching Award	2023-2024
Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) Funding Award: National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (National Forum)	March 2021
Special Purpose Certificate in Academic Practice	February 2020
Article selected as one of ten most influential Anatomical Sciences Education	June 2019
Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Programme Supervisor	2019, 2020
Dean of Health Sciences Award for Innovation in Teaching	August 2018
Successfully completed merit bar review by the TCD Junior Promotions Committee	June 2018
Wellcome Trust Biomedical Vacation Scholarship	April 2017
Anatomical Society Summer Vacation Student Scholarship	March 2017
Nominated Provost Teaching Award	January 2014

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

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Dr. Denis Barry

Dr. Denis Barry

Associate Professor (Anatomy)

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES INSTITUTE

debarry@tcd.ie

3531896 1793