Rate My Professor Chris Irwin

Professor Chris Irwin is a professor in the Centre for Dentistry at the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast. He holds the qualifications BSc, BDS, PhD, and FDSRCPS (Glasg). Throughout his career, he has served in various roles including Reader and Consultant in the Department of Restorative Dentistry within the former School of Dentistry. Professor Irwin has been recognised for his excellence in teaching, receiving the Queen's University Belfast Teaching Award in the student-nominated category for innovative approaches to student learning and assessment in dentistry.

His research specializations include the biology of oral fibroblasts, the regulatory effects of antimicrobial peptides such as LL-37 on gingival tissues and inflammation, periodontal disease risk factors and susceptibility, links between periodontitis and systemic diseases including pregnancy outcomes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, and severe COVID-19 illness, as well as dental education and environmental impacts of treatments. Key publications encompass 'Delivering teaching in dentistry at Queen's University, Belfast for 100 years' (British Dental Journal, 2023), 'The environmental impact of treating macular disease' (2023), 'Is periodontitis a risk factor for severe COVID-19 illness?' (Journal of the Irish Dental Association, 2023), 'Dental manifestations of pregnancy' (The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, 2007), 'Evaluation of the Ability of LL-37 to Neutralise Lipopolysaccharide In Vitro and Ex Vivo' (PLoS One, 2011), and 'Effects of LL-37 on Gingival Fibroblasts: A Role in Periodontal Health and Disease' (Frontiers in Immunology, 2018). Professor Irwin has delivered invited lectures at events including the British Society of Restorative Dentistry conference and the British Society of Gerodontology meeting. His scholarly contributions include over 100 publications with more than 3,200 citations.