Meet Matthew Gibney, one of our 2025 Irish Endocrine Society/Diabetes Collaborative CTN Summer Students
Q. What is your name?
A. Matthew Gibney.
Q. Where are you from?
A. Dublin, Ireland.
Q. Why did you pick medicine as a career?
A. I’ve always felt that medicine would give the perfect combination of science and engagement with the world, allowing me to work with the cutting edge of scientific innovation while also feeling like I’m giving back to the communities around me. The idea of a career in which every day presents a new opportunity to learn and to make a real impact has always appealed to me.
Q. Why did you choose the Irish Endocrine Society/Diabetes Collaborative CTN for your summer placement?
A. I was lucky enough to go on an Erasmus exchange to Université Paris Cité, during which I did a six week placement in the endocrinology department at the Hôpital Lariboisiere. I found the whole experience there fascinating, and it really opened my eyes to the exciting advancements happening all the time in the world of endocrinology. I was thrilled when I saw the opportunity to get involved in some of the research, and jumped at the chance!
Q. What is your research project about?
A. I’m compiling a database of every patient treated for thyroid cancer at St James’ Hospital between 2006 and 2025, complete with treatment outcomes, 3, 5 and 10 year follow-ups, and a number of other clinical factors, all categorised based on specific pathology. Once the database is up to date, I will analyse patterns in disease progression and report my findings.
Q. Who is your Mentor/Supervisor?
A. Dr Marie-Louise Healy.
Q. What is the one thing you wish everyone knew about diabetes?
A. I feel that a lot of people continue to underestimate the genetic component of type two diabetes, despite its extremely high monozygotic concordance. This leads to the perpetuation of stigma and societal shame around a disease often more controlled by genes than any other factor.
Q. Ways to relax are important in all careers; how do you like to relax?
A. I love to run, particularly middle and long distance, and am currently training for a half marathon. I also play guitar in a band with a few friends, which is a great way to clear the head (even if it hurts a few ears in the process).
Q. Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?
A. I’m still not sure about what branch of medicine I plan to go into, but hopefully I find something with a good mix of research and more hands-on clinical practice. I’d also love to do some volunteering work, potentially with Medicins sans Frontières or a similar organisation.
Q. Where can people find out more about your exciting career i.e. social media etc.?
A. Follow me on Instagram.