Dr Marie McIlroy completed her PhD studies under the supervision of Prof Tracy Robson in 2003.  This led to a post-doctorate position at Ulster University, Coleraine where she studied the role of Cyp1B1 in the progression of esophageal tumorigenesis. The desire to conduct more translational cancer research led to a move to UCD where she joined the research group of Prof Leonie Young at the Conway Institute. 

During her post-doctoral training, she developed a keen interest in the steroid microenvironment and how it may impact mechanisms of resistance to endocrine therapy in breast cancer.  Identification of the estrogen down-regulated transcription factor, HOXC11, as a poor prognostic indicator led to a number of high impact publications and patent filings. More recently, her research has focused on the potential for androgenic steroid precursors to facilitate resistance via altering gene expression and increasing metabolic flexibility.     

In 2014 she was appointed as lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland within the Department of Surgery. She co-ordinates the undergraduate Molecular Medicine module and a post-graduate training workshop in Applied Biomedical Imaging. Marie is a strong advocate for career guidance for PhD scholars and coordinates interactive career workshops in conjunction with the postgraduate school. She has received funding in excess of €1 M from national and international funding agencies and, in addition, has successfully established a number of industry collaborations.