Dr Christine McGarrigle
Dr Christine McGarrigle is a Senior Research Fellow at TILDA with expertise in social epidemiology and ageing research. Her work explores resilience, intergenerational transfers, and the social factors influencing successful ageing, with a focus on the health and well-being of caregivers and the impact of social participation.
Christine is currently the Principal Investigator on a study exploring resilience in middle aged and older carers funded by Family Carers Ireland and the Health Research Board and on two studies funded by the National Institutes of Health exploring methods to improve estimates of mild cognitive impairment and dementia using the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP). Most recently, she was awarded an NIH R01 grant for her study, Psychosocial Resilience in Spousal Caregivers for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. This three-year project investigates the mental health and resilience of spousal caregivers, drawing on international data sources, including TILDA and the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP). Her research supports evidence-based policies and services aimed at improving the quality of life for caregivers.
Christine joined TILDA in 2012 as a Social Epidemiology Research Fellow and served as Research Director from 2015 to 2017. She holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry from University College Dublin and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Prior to TILDA, she worked at the UK Health Protection Agency, where she led behavioural surveillance programmes and developed innovative methods for estimating undiagnosed HIV prevalence. This experience informs her interdisciplinary approach to ageing and caregiving research.
Christine's complete list of publications can be viewed here.