Posted on: 20 March 2009
Professor Colm Ó ‘Moráin, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Professor of Medicine at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin Incorporating the National Children’s Hospital, at Tallaght, was recently conferred with a Doctorate in Science (honoris causa) by the University of Athens. At the awards ceremony the Rector of the University, paid tribute to Professor Ó ‘Moráin’s contribution to European medicine and to his specialty of gastroenterology. Amongst his considerable achievements he cited that he was the Chairman of the Public Affairs Committee of the European Gastroenterology Federation, a founding member of the European Board of Gastroenterology and a past President of the Association of National Societies of Gastroenterology.
Professor Ó ‘Moráin has been involved in the research of the bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, since its discovery in 1983. His research group was the first to show that eradicating the organism leads to a permanent cure of duodenal ulcer. His current work is focussed on the role of Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer. He has been involved in Inflammatory Bowel Disease research since his postgraduate training in Nice, London and New York. He was one of the principal investigators showing that there was a difference in the incidence of Crohn’s Disease in Northern Europe compared to Southern Europe. This would point to environmental factors playing a role in the aetiology of the disease. There is no difference in the incidence of Ulcerative Colitis. He pioneered new treatments in this context and has been to the fore in advising and designing treatment trials in both Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Professor Ó ‘Moráin is also a world authority on screening for colorectal cancer On the occasion of the awards ceremony, the Rector of the University of Athens, congratulated him on his initiative of leading the Tallaght Colon Cancer Screening Programme. He has also forged strong links with Greece , he has been a frequent guest speaker at the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology, and has encouraged and hosted many Greek trainees in Ireland. The University of Athens was particularly pleased with his involvement with research initiatives with them and Trinity College Dublin.
