Dr Fergus McCarthy MB BCh, BAO MSc (Epid) Dip (Clin Ed) PhD MRCPI MRCOG
Senior Lecturer, University College Cork, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Maternal Fetal Medicine Subspecialist, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
Honorary Clinical Lecturer, King’s College London, London, UK.
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5062-6851
Career Profile
Education
Post Graduate Education
Maternal Fetal Medicine Subspecialist, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2017
Diploma in Clinical Education, National University of Ireland, Galway. November 2013.
PhD University College Cork, June 2012 “The role of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma in normal rat pregnancy and an animal model of pre-eclampsia”
MSc Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London. April 2012
Member of Royal College of Physicians Ireland (MRCPI)
- Part I: September 2007
- Part II: October 2007
Member of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Part I: September 2006.
- Part II: November 2013.
Undergraduate Education
MB: BCh: BAO (hons), University College Cork, June 2003
Honours in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Ethics, General Practice, Pathology, Anatomy and Ophthalmology
Professional Qualifications
MFM Subspecialist – Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK – August 2017
MRCPI – Member of Royal College of Physicians Ireland – October 2007
MRCOG – Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK – November 2013
Current Post
February 1, 2018 to present: Senior lecturer, University College Cork, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Maternal Fetal Medicine Subspecialist, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Honorary Clinical Lecturer/ Maternal Fetal Medicine Subspecialist
Previous Appointments
September 1, 2017- 31 January, 2018: Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork,
September 1, 2014- August 31, 2017: Academic Clinical Lecturer/ Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist Trainee, King’s College London, St Thomas’ Hospital, London
January 6, 2014-July 13, 2014: Assistant Master and Specialist Registrar, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin and Research Fellow, The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
July 8, 2013-January 5, 2013: Specialist Registrar, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin and Research Fellow, The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
July 1, 2012 –July 7, 2013: Specialist Registrar, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mayo General Hospital and Research Fellow, The Anu Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
July 1, 2011- June 30, 2012: Specialist Registrar, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital and Research Fellow, The Anu Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2011: Clinical Research Fellow, Anu Research Centre, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork and The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario.
April 2007- June 30, 2008: Registrar Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
January 1, 2007- March 2007: Registrar Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erinville Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
July 1, 2005- December 31, 2006: Resident/ Junior Registrar Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
January 1, 2005- June 30, 2005: Senior House Officer, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erinville Maternity Hospital, South Infirmary Victoria Hospital Cork Ireland.
July 1, 2004 – October 31, 2004: Volunteer Obstetrician “Patronata Maternidad Hospital San Jose” Quito, Ecuador
January 1, 2004 – June 2004 Internship: Limerick Regional Hospital
July 1, 2003-Dec 31, 2003 Internship: Cork University Hospital
Awards/Honours /Other Measures of Esteem
- Final year project coordinator Obstetrics and Gynaecology October 2017- ongoing
- McCarthy FP- Guest Editor. Special Edition; Biomarkers in Pre-eclampsia, Pregnancy Hypertension Published May 2018.
- On the organising committee of International Federation of Placenta Associations (IFPA) Meeting, Amsterdam 2020.
- Treasurer Executive Committee International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP) January 2017- ongoing
- Representative RCOG Maternal Medicine (including Hypertensive Disease) Clinical Studies group 2014-ongoing
- Chair of the Data Monitoring Committee for ‘Observational cohort with embedded Randomised Controlled trials to study pregnancy-Associated progression of Renal Disease’ (ORCHARD). Kidney Research UK
- Trial Steering Committee member for Feasibility study on the effects of postnatal cardioprotective agents on maternal cardiovascular function following preterm pre-eclampsia. Funded by Medical Research Council.
- Reviewer with Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Green Journal), BJOG, Placenta and The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.
- Entrepreneurs in Clinical Academia course; 21st-25th September 2015; Fontainbleau, France.
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Harold Malkin Prize 2015.
- Scholarship to attend 64th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. One of “600 most qualified young researchers” chosen internationally. 29 June to 4 July 2014; Lindau, Germany.
- McCarthy FP, Murphy A, Khashan AS, McElroy B, Spillane N, Marchocki Z, Sarkar R, Higgins JR. Day care versus inpatient management of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial and cost effective analysis Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland Research award, Best presentation. Dublin, March 2014.
- McCarthy FP, Khashan AS, Moss-Morris R, North RA, Baker PN, Dekker G, Poston L, O’Donoghue K, Kenny LC, (On behalf of the SCOPE consortium). Previous pregnancy loss is a significant risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes: evidence from a large prospective cohort. Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland Research award, Best presentation. Dublin, January 2012.
- McCarthy FP, Khashan AS, Moss-Morris R, North RA, Baker PN, Dekker G, Poston L, O’Donoghue K, Kenny LC, (On behalf of the SCOPE consortium). Previous pregnancy loss is a significant risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes: evidence from a large prospective cohort. Oral presentation prize. Junior Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society Meeting, Dublin, November 2011.
- McCarthy FP, Walsh SK, Johns EJ, Drewlo S, Kingdom J, Kenny LC. Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma critically regulates the risk of preeclampsia in rodent gestation. Oral Presentation. Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, St. Luke’s Symposium. November 2011. Royal College of Physicians of Ireland William Stokes Award and Research Bursary.
- McCarthy FP, Drewlo S, Baczyk D, Johns EJ, Kingdom J, Walsh SK, Kenny LC. Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma critically regulates the risk of preeclampsia in rodent gestation. 2011 Dr J.W. Knox Ritchie Research Prize. Best Oral presentation prize. University of Toronto Research Day, Toronto, May 2011.
- McCarthy FP, Walsh SK, Johns EJ, Drewlo S, Kingdom J, Kenny LC. Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma critically regulates the risk of preeclampsia in rodent gestation. Oral presentation prize. Blair Bell Research Society, London, December 2010.
- McCarthy FP, Walsh SK, Johns EJ, Drewlo S, Kingdom J, Kenny LC. The role of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma Activation in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Young Investigators Travel Award US$1000, International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy, Melbourne, October 2010.
- McCarthy FP, Khashan AS, Moss-Morris R, North RA, Baker PN, Dekker G, Poston L, Kenny LC, (On behalf of the SCOPE consortium). A prospective cohort study to investigate the association between hyperemesis gravidarum and altered cognitive, behavioural and emotional health in pregnancy. Young Investigators Travel Award US$500. International Society of Obstetric Medicine. Melbourne. October 2010.
- McCarthy FP, Walsh SK, Johns EJ, Drewlo S, Kingdom J, Kenny LC. The role of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma Activation in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Winner Anu medal meeting, Best Oral Presentation. Munster Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology annual meeting. June 2010
- McCarthy FP, Walsh SK, Johns EJ, Drewlo S, Kingdom J, Kenny LC. Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma Activation Reverses Endothelial Dysfunction Via A Heme Oxygenase Dependent Pathway In An Animal Model Of Pre-Eclampsia. Oral Presentation Prize, Irish Congress of Obstetrics/Gynaecology & Perinatal Medicine. Wicklow, Ireland. April 2010
- McCarthy FP, Khashan AS, Moss-Morris R, North RA, Baker PN, Dekker G, Poston L, Kenny LC, (On behalf of the SCOPE consortium). A prospective cohort study to investigate the association between hyperemesis gravidarum and altered cognitive, behavioural and emotional health in pregnancy. Irish Perinatal Society Meeting, Ireland, April 2010. Winner, Best Oral Presentation Irish Perinatal Society Meeting, Wicklow, Ireland. April 2010
- McCarthy FP, AS Khashan, R Moss-Morris, RA North, PN Baker, G Dekker, L Poston, LC Kenny, (On behalf of the SCOPE consortium). A prospective cohort study to investigate the association between hyperemesis gravidarum and altered cognitive, behavioural and emotional health in pregnancy. Poster presentation award. Blair Bell Meeting, November 2009.
- McCarthy FP, Shanahan F, Quigley E, Khashan A, Cronin C, O’Regan P, Kenny L. A Retrospective Study of the Effect of Celiac Disease on Reproductive Outcome.
- Winner Anu medal, Munster Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology annual meeting. June 2008.
Mentoring and Supervision
Current: PhD students 6, Post-doctoral fellows 3, MSc Res 0
Alumni: PhD students 1, Post-doctoral fellows 1, MSc Res 2
Publications:
Dr McCarthy has published approximately 80 peer reviewed full papers, reviews and book chapters (full publication list can be found at: http://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=lNa2gAMAAAAJ&hl=en
h-index: 24, i10-index: 34
Innovation/Commercialisation Activity
- Real-Time pH determination using near infrared spectroscopy in labour for the prevention of neonatal hypoxic brain injury, Enterprise Ireland. 15k Commercialisation award February- May 2019.
- Pilot Study to Assess the Performance and Feasibility of a Smartphone Based Urine Analyser for Home Urine Testing in Pregnancy. Health Research Board Ireland. Summer student award. June- September 2018. €2400
- Performance of commercially available Placental growth factor kits in the measurement of PlGF in women with suspected or confirmed pre-eclampsia. Commercial funding: Perkin Elmer. Chief Investigator. £83,456. December 2016.
Other Information
- Clinical lead BEFORE (BiomarkErsFOREarly) Birth project; development of a clinically useful early pregnancy-screening test for pre-term birth, through untargeted metabolomic-based biomarker discovery
- Clinical lead University College Cork; IMPROvED study; IMproved Pregnancy Outcomes by Early Detection; personalized medicine for pregnant women: novel metabolomic and proteomic biomarkers to detect preeclampsia and improve outcome, University College Cork, 7th Framework Programme for Research €5,997,671
- Clinical lead University College Cork; Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) Study, University College Cork, The Health Research Board Ireland, CSA/2007/2 €1,570,280
- Co-ordinator Final year medical student research projects, University College Cork, Ireland. September2017- ongoing.
- Higher degrees coordinator role for clinicians studying MD/PhD programmes Department of Women’s Health, KCL. January 2016- August 2017.
Selected Current and Previous Research Funding:
- HRB Secondary Data Analysis Projects SDAP-2019-017; Development and validation of a risk stratification tool for assessment of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality using data from the National Maternal and Newborn Clinical Management System. October 2019 for three years, Principal Investigator ,€305,000
- HRB Knowledge Exchange and Dissemination Scheme 2018; Delivering a Reduction in the Development of Maternal Prenatal Stress. KEDS-2018-026; Co-applicant €17,077.
- Early Stage Researcher package leader: iPLACENTA study; Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training networks. Call identifier: H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017. Total consortium award €3.9 million euro, UCC award €265,674. https://www.iplacenta.eu/
- Performance of commercially available Placental growth factor kits in the measurement of PlGF in women with suspected or confirmed pre-eclampsia. Commercial funding: Perkin Elmer. Chief Investigator. £83,456. December 2016.
- Health Research Board Ireland. Summer student scholarship. Pilot Study to Assess the Performance and Feasibility of a Smartphone Based Urine Analyser for Home Urine Testing in Pregnancy. June- September 2018. €2400
- National Institute for Health Research. Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme. Mechanisms of action of intervention in the PHOENIX trial: in women with preterm pre-eclampsia does planned delivery improve postpartum maternal cardiac function through attenuation of myocardial ischaemia at time of disease (PHOEBE study)? £364,315. Co- Principal Investigator. April 2016- ongoing. https://ukctg.nihr.ac.uk/trials/trial-details/trial-details?trialNumber=ISRCTN01879376
- Tommy’s Charity. The unfolded protein response in pre-eclampsia. March 2015-March 2016. £20,000.
- Academy of Medical Sciences Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers; Principal applicant. The Role of the Unfolded Protein Response in the Aetiology and Prediction of Pre-eclampsia; July 2015; £29,998
- Molecular Medicine Ireland Clinician Scientist Fellowship, Principle applicant; The role of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia; January 2009- December 2011. €256,000