Cliona McCormack currently works as Research and Policy Officer in the Advocacy Team of the Irish Heart Foundation. Her work primarily focuses on health policy and its impact on cardiovascular diseases and public health issues including tobacco control and obesity. In the last few years she played a central role in driving the Stroke Action campaign, which was successful in gaining political and public attention for the need to improve stroke services.

She has worked in public affairs and policy roles in health and disability not-for-profits for the last six years, as well as a stint in the European Movement and as a freelance features writer for a national newspaper.

Her doctoral work focuses on the impact of industry on public health, particularly examining the role of the food industry in influencing the development of anti-obesity policies in Ireland.

Cliona holds a M.Econ.Sc in European Economics and Public Affairs, H.Dip in Social Policy and B.A. in English and History. After her Doctorate she hopes to continue to expand her research in the field of public health policy.