Meet Our 2024 Conference Speakers

Christopher McGuigan is a consultant neurologist in St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) Dublin and Clinical Full Professor in University College Dublin. Prof. McGuigan’s main clinical interest is Multiple Sclerosis & neuroinflammatory disorder. 

He leads the MS clinical research group in SVUH & UCD. He completed a research fellowship under the supervision of Prof Michael Hutchinson during which time he was awarded The Charles Symmonds prize in 2003 for best research by The Association of British Neurologists and the Young Scientific Investigator Prize in 2003 & 2004 at the annual European Committee on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Conferences. 

Prof McGuigan completed his neurology specialist training on the West London training scheme and The National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, before being appointed as a consultant neurologist in Charing Cross Hospital London and lecturer in Imperial College London from 2007 until his return to Dublin in 2010.

Sophie Pratt is a CORU-registered dietitian and a member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute. Based out of her clinic in Carlow, she works with a wide variety of clientele, ranging from private residential healthcare and corporate groups to the general public. Her services include dietetic consultations, body composition analysis, and educational talks.

In recent years, Sophie has also worked in media, appearing on podcasts, radio, and television, including Operation Transformation. Her areas of expertise include weight management, fertility health, eating disorders, gastroenterology, and creating specialised diets for those with medical conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, and Hyperlipidaemia, among others. She previously gave a talk at an MS Ireland wellness event for World MS Day and is looking forward to meeting everyone at the upcoming conference in Monaghan.

McKenna Consulting provides consulting and coaching services focusing on leadership development and employee empowerment through incorporating the principles of neuroscience to facilitate growth and meaningful change. McKenna Consulting has a special interest in fostering inclusive and equitable workplace environments for employees with disabilities or long-term illnesses. 

Pauline McKenna, the founder and lead consultant at McKenna Consulting, has over 20 years’ experience in Disability Equality, Advocacy, and Human Rights including working as an Independent Advocate, Community Worker and Information Line Worker with MS Ireland.   

Dr Michelle Murphy is a Neuropsychotherapist, specialising in supporting those living with neurological conditions for the last 15+ years. She is passionate about spreading awareness of the impacts of neurological conditions, currently lecturing across health and social care programmes in a number of educational institutions. Michelle is an advocate for accessible service provision in Ireland. Graduating from Dublin City University with a Doctorate in Psychotherapy in 2019, Michelle’s research has recommended long-term emotional support for those living with neurological conditions and as such, was involved in developing community neurorehabilitation services and community mental health services in the West of Ireland. 

Michelle has a keen interest in offering contemporary, evidence-based and practical brain health tips, strategies and micro habits, based on research and from the voices of those living with neurological conditions. These tips that can be incorporated into daily life and can be self-directed and self-managed. Other interests include Munster rugby, Limerick hurling, baking (badly), yoga (badly) and listening to psychological thriller audio books. 

Juliann Bergin is a Clinical Specialist in Digital Assistive Technology with Enable Ireland’s National Assistive Technology Training Service. She has been with the organization since 2008, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous role as a Senior Speech and Language Therapist in both community and disability sectors. 

In her current role, Juliann focuses on assessing and implementing assistive technology solutions to enhance education, employment, independence, and communication for individuals. She is also actively involved in training stakeholders on various aspects of assistive technology, making these tools more accessible and comprehensible for educators and users alike. She leads the Workplace Assessment Service, which aims to support new and existing employees in carrying out their roles using technology.  Juliann also highlights lesser-known, cost-effective assistive technologies that are often built into mainstream devices or available as free apps.