Jennifer Ralph, PhD
Associate Scientific Programme Officer
Life Sciences Directorate
Tel: + 353 (0)1 607 3214
Email: jennifer.ralph@sfi.ie
Dr. Jennifer Ralph joined SFI in October 2008 as Associate Scientific Programme Officer.
Dr. Ralph graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) with an honours degree in Biochemistry. Following a Clinical Biochemistry position at St. Vincent’s University Hospital Dublin, Jennifer pursued her doctoral studies under the supervision of Dr. Evelyn Murphy at UCD, in collaboration with the Department of Rheumatology at St. Vincent’s. Her research focussed on the neuroendocrine basis of inflammatory arthritis, specifically on the pathogenic roles of the nuclear orphan receptor NURR1 and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor-1 (CRH-R1). Dr. Ralph’s research has contributed to elucidating the therapeutic mechanism of action of Methotrexate in arthritis.
After completion of her PhD, Dr. Ralph was awarded an Endeavour Australia-Europe fellowship which enabled her to extend her research in the laboratory of Professor Eric Morand at Monash University in Melbourne. These studies have revealed novel signalling targets of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in arthritis and she has since secured significant funding for this research to continue. During her time at Monash, Dr. Ralph participated in the ‘Future Research Leaders Program’ which is jointly operated by the ‘Go8 - Australia’s eight leading universities in research’.
Dr. Ralph has presented her research findings both nationally and internationally, including the Annual Meetings of the American College of Rheumatology, and has published in a number of high-ranking scientific journals.
Dr. Ralph’s research interests include rheumatology, inflammation, biochemistry and molecular biology, and she has a particular interest in science communication and outreach.
