PPI Ignite Network at UCC

Sarah Barnes Aabø is the PPI Co-lead for the PPI Ignite Network @ UCC. Sarah is a parent, carer & PPI Contributor with extensive experience of paediatric complex care, childhood cancer and long term illness from a carer’s perspective. She was appointed as a PPI Representative on the Health Research Consent Declaration Committee ( HRCDC) in 2025 & is a HRB Research Application Reviewer.

She is an active PPI contributor on a number of research projects both in University and with Patient Organisations & Charities. Sarah is a graduate of University College Cork where she completed her Undergraduate Degree & Master’s Degree in Modern English Literature.

Dr Fiona Riordan, BSc, MPH, PhD. EU Research Officer, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), UCC. fiona.riordan@ucc.ie. Fiona is the Research Support Co-Lead for UCC. As part of the EU Funding Support team, she provides pre-award support to researchers across the university.

Before joining the research office, she worked for 10 years as a health services researcher and engaged with PPI contributors as part of two HRB-funded projects: IDEAS and CUSTOMISE. She previously participated in the workshop series (2021-2023) to develop the PPI Ignite Network Values and Principles Framework during PPI Ignite Phase II.

Heather’s educational background is in Midwifery, Public Health and Epidemiology, with professional experience across clinical practice, research, and social care. Prior to joining PPI Ignite, UCC as Programme Manager, Heather worked as a PPI Coordinator. Through this role, she collaborated with public contributors, researchers, and community partners and found that embedding a PPI approach addressed many research challenges including equity, inclusion, and power-sharing.

Her additional areas of interest include survey development, data analysis, facilitation, supporting students, and strengthening and building meaningful partnerships in health and social care research.