DrSuja Somanadhan

Dr. Suja Somanadhan is an Associate Dean for Global Engagement and Associate Professor at the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems. Currently serve as the UCD South Asia Strategy Implementation (Academic Lead). Dr. Somanadhan commenced her nursing journey in India, obtaining registrations as a nurse (RN) and midwife (RM) in 1998. Upon relocating to Ireland in 2003, she expanded her registrations to include general nurse (RGN), children's nurse (RCN), and registered nurse tutor (RNT) by 2010, accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

With a substantial clinical background in children's (paediatric) nursing, Dr Somanadhan achieved a significant milestone as the first practice children's nurse to complete a PhD from Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Temple Street. Her academic journey at the University College Dublin (UCD) resulted in additional qualifications, including a Graduate Diploma in Healthcare (Risk and quality), a Graduate Certificate in Education, an MSc in Nursing (Clinical Practice), and a Higher Diploma (Children's Nursing). Her particular interest lies in rare diseases and genetic disorders, including the newborn screening programme, and she specialises in paediatric healthcare.


Dr. Somanadhan's research is firmly grounded in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles for child and family health and well-being. Focusing on rare diseases encompassing genetic and non-genetic disorders, their work delves into understanding and addressing disparities to promote holistic healthcare. As the founding member and Co-leader of the All-Ireland Rare Diseases Interdisciplinary Research Network (RAiN), she contributes to advancing scientific knowledge and creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare landscape for those with Rare Diseases.

As a researcher, Dr Somanadhan is profoundly committed to advancing the health and well-being of children and their families. Overseeing several PhD and MSc by Research students and post-doctoral researchers, she has secured research grants for projects related to child and family health, focusing on Rare diseases. Noteworthy projects include the HRB-funded COVISION Project on the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on Children and young people, the Rare Disease Research Partnership (RAinDRoP), and the Temple Street Foundation-funded SAMPI project, exploring the experiences of children with Rare Diseases through various therapeutic modalities.

Dr. Somanadhan's commitment extends to Patient Public Involvement (PPI) and service user engagement in healthcare, influencing policy and practice. She holds key positions, including Co-Chair of the Children's Research Network Ireland and Northern Ireland, Executive member at the UCD CHilD Research Centre, and Board Member of the International Family Nursing Association (IFNA), playing a pivotal role in advancing research and collaboration.

Dr. Somanadhan is a recognised academic researcher who has earned prestigious accolades. She was chosen for the Hospital Professional Top 100 in 2023 list and received the Innovative Contribution to Family Nursing Award from the IFNA in 2023. The Fulbright Scholar Health Impact Award in 2019-2020 further acknowledged her exceptional contributions. During her Fulbright fellowship, she collaborated with renowned mentors at the Centre of Rare Disease Therapy at the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Office of Rare Disease Research at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 2022.

Dr. Suja Somanadhan's multifaceted expertise, leadership, and dedication to advancing healthcare make her an invaluable asset to the academic and research communities nationally and internationally.