Principal Investigator, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin and author of 100 Days to a Younger Brain

Sabina Brennan (PhD., C.Psychol.,PsSI.) is a research psychologist, neuroscientist, filmmaker, award-winning science communicator and author of the No 1 Best-seller 100 Days to a Younger Brain (Orion Spring 2019). Her research at Trinity College Dublin focuses on understanding how lifestyle influences brain health and dementia risk so that people can live long, independent, healthy lives. Dr Brennan is currently Principal Investigator on a large-scale collaborative research project looking at brain health, genomics, lifestyle and dementia co-funded by government (Science Foundation Ireland) and industry (Genomics Medical Ireland).

Passionate about increasing the societal impact of health research and improving health literacy Dr Brennan has developed a wide range of free online resources (animations, websites and app) that aim to empower people to be more proactive about their own brain health. Her animated films about memory, dementia and brain health have been viewed in 146 countries and translated into multiple languages. Her brain health materials are used for training, education and awareness by national health (e.g. NHS and HSE) and advocacy organisations (e.g. various Alzheimer organisations) on four continents. She has carried out research (n=8,000) that demonstrates the efficacy of the animations in terms of knowledge acquisition, fear reduction, enjoyment and intention to change behaviour.

Dr Brennan is an inspirational speaker and a regular guest, panellist and expert contributor on radio and television covering a myriad of topics related to positive and healthy ageing. She is an educator on ‘Strategies for Successful Ageing” one of Future Learn’s most successful Massive Online Open Course (MOOC). Dr Brennan’s mission to bring brain health to a wide audience has won her awards for science communication and recognition for the social impact of her work. In 2018 she was listed as one of Ireland's Women of the Year. A thought leader and advocate with a credible track record promoting brain health and championing the rights of older adults, and people living with dementia, Dr Brennan has been invited to join and has served on many panels that aim to influence policy and practice. For e.g.:

• Alzheimer’s Disease International Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel

• Advisory Council, Global Coalition on Aging

• Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel – The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

• Advocacy Committee – The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

• National Advisory Committee – SAGE – Support and Advocacy Service for Older Adults

• Expert Reference Group Dementia Friendly Ireland – Health Service Executive

• Chair Age Friendly Trinity

• Council for Advocacy for Migraine (Europe)

In 2018 Dr Brennan was engaged by the Irish government to advise the Department of Foreign Affairs on how to increase the impact of their Emigrant Support Programme (€20 million annually) in order to improve brain health, independence and reduce dementia risk among the Irish diaspora. She was also invited to join the Irish Department of Health’s Expert Panel for Healthy and Positive Ageing and was instrumental in having ‘brain health’ added as a national indicator of positive ageing.