About The ASOI
ASOI Committee 2019-2021

Dr Jean O'Connell
Consultant Endocrinologist in Blackrock Clinic, St Vincent’s Private Hospital & St Columcille’s Hospital Weight Management Service
Jean's bio
In 2009 she completed a PhD thesis focused on metabolic profile and adipose tissue morphology and function in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. Jean has a particular interest in education of health professionals on the genetic, biological and environmental drivers of obesity, with a view to reducing weight bias and stigma, and improving the lives of people living with obesity.

Dr Cathy Breen
Dietitian in Diabetes and Weight Management, Endocrine Unit, St Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown, Dublin
Cathy's bio

Karen Gaynor
Registered Dietitian & National Programme Manager for Obesity, Royal College of Physicians in Ireland
Karen's bio

Dr Grace O'Malley
Research Lecturer, RCSI & Clinical Lead, Child and Adolescent Weight Management Service, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street.
Grace's bio

Susie Birney
Secretary, European Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ECPO)
Susie's bio
I had bariatric surgery in July 2015 and my diabetes, including retinopathy, reversed on the day. My health and quality of life has improved hugley despite having regained half of my weight loss since. In 2016 I became a patient representative with the ASOI, and an Irish representative in Europe with the EASO patient council, now known as ECPO. I am the acting Chair for ICPO, a patient led Irish organisation currently being formed. I firmly believe support of all kinds is vital. I share my experiences of living with obesity to raise awareness that obesity is a disease.

Maura Murphy
Patient Representative, Association for the Study of Obesity in Ireland
Maura's bio

Oonagh Lyons
Technical Executive in Public Health Nutrition, Food Safety Authority of Ireland & PhD Researcher, Ulster University
Oonagh's bio

Dr Sarah Browne
Registered Dietitian & Assistant Professor in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, University College Dublin
Sarah's bio

Niamh Arthurs
Research Dietitian, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street
Niamh's bio

Dr Mary Flynn
Chief Specialist in Public Health Nutrition at the Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Mary's bio

Louise Tully
Registered Nutritionist (RNutr) & PhD Candidate, SPHeRE Programme, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Louise's bio

Caroline Donovan
Registered Dietitian and PhD Researcher
Caroline's bio

Dr Clare O'Donovan
Technical Executive in Public Health Nutrition, FSAI
Clare's bio
Professor Kevin Balanda
Professor of Public Health