The Department of Economics in Cork University Business School, are delighted to host the 2025 Summer School and secondment for the RETORNA MSCA Doctoral Network Programme over two weeks in June.
The RETORNA project examines targeting RNA as an approach for treating retinal disease from a scientific and socio-economic perspective. Retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and inherited retinal dystrophies, are life-altering challenges that can affect people’s independence, mobility, and even confidence. Many of these conditions are preventable or manageable—if caught early. Lack of awareness, delayed diagnoses, and barriers to treatment are just some of the constraints that persist across our healthcare systems. Too often, people seek help only after irreversible damage has been done.
Currently across Europe, gene therapies and using novel approaches to target RNA is an approach for treating retinal diseases. Cross-border and inter-institutional collaborations, aligned with UCC Futures Medicines, are advancing both our knowledge and our capacity to respond, promoting multi-disciplinary responses to this societal issue. As vision loss is not just a medical issue—it’s a social and economic issue, affecting mental health, employment, and quality of life of those with the retinal disease and their families. By addressing retinal diseases proactively, we are not only protecting sight—we are preserving dignity, autonomy, and hope. Which is aligned with the SDGs no. 3 good health and well-being.
The ongoing partnership between UCC and the MSCA programme under Horizon Europe reflects a shared commitment to research excellence and innovation. This collaboration has played a key role in supporting structured doctoral training at UCC, offering researchers access to world-class expertise and an international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral environment. Through this programme, candidates benefit from enhanced mobility, advanced skills development, and broader career opportunities—strengthening both individual futures and UCC’s role as a hub of cutting-edge European research.
Drs Murphy and Kirby (Dept of Economics), in collaboration with the partner PIs across Europe (Universidad Católica de Valencia, Radboud University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Universidad de Alicante, Bahçeşehir University, Leiden University Medical Center, Universidad de Alicante, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, have created a stimulating programme for the 10 PhD students on the project. This is learning aligned with the goals of the MSCA-Doctoral network programme to train entrepreneurial, innovative and resilient doctoral candidates, able to face current and future challenges and to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for economic and social benefit.
Over the next two weeks the doctoral students will connect with and gain insights from colleagues throughout the university including the UCC Library, Commercialisation Office, Research Office, Clinical Research Facility, iEdHub, Tyndall Institute, APC Microbiome Ireland, School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, PPI Ignite, Health Innovation Hub Ireland and Cork University Business School including the Departments of Economics, Business Information Systems, Food Business and Management and Marketing. As well as commercial partners Salutem Insights, Neurobell and public organisations like Health Information Quality Authority, The National Guide Dogs and Retina International. This invaluable opportunity enables the doctoral candidates to engage with and learn from peers across the university community offering an immersive learning experience with both internal and external collaborative partners signifying the importance of these collaborations in contributing to this experience.