29 April, 2026
TSJCI Welcomes Dr Chris Armstrong, Consultant Haematologist Specialising in Myeloid Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation
Dr Chris Armstrong joins TSJCI as a Consultant Haematologist specialising in acute and chronic myeloid malignancies and Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In his role, which comes as a continuation of service established by his esteemed predecessor Dr Eibhlin Conneally, he is focusing on ensuring best practice in the care of patients with complex Haematological malignancies and ensuring access to state-of-the-art cellular therapy.
What is the primary purpose of the role?
I am a clinical Haematologist specialising in the care of patients with myeloid malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid malignancies such as myelofibrosis, chronic myeloid leukemia and other myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic diseases. My practice involves the care of patients from the St. James’ catchment area in addition to patients on a national basis through the National Adult Stem Cell Transplant programme. My key role is to ensure all patients have access to comprehensive and holistic care and I work with a large team of medical and non-medical colleagues to ensure outcomes for our patients are comparable to international centres.
What responsibilities will be involved?
I am responsible for the diagnosis, prognostication, treatment and longitudinal care of patients with Haematological malignancies. I ensure patients have access to appropriate and modern diagnostic tests, which is reflected in my duties both at the bedside and in the clinical laboratories at St. James’ Hospital. I ensure patients are provided with the support and information required to make informed and collaborative decisions at each stage of their treatment journey. Additionally, I have responsibilities for ensuring quality within the cell therapy programme, which is accredited to the JACIE standard, education of medical students and post-graduate doctors and allied health professionals. I work closely with the Cancer Clinical Trials unit to consolidate the trial portfolio and strive to provide access to meaningful trials for all cancer patients.
In addition to my clinical role, I am part of the wider St. James’ network through membership of the Hospital Transfusion Committee and the Joint TUH/SJH Research Ethic Committee. I am also a founding and active member of the Trinity College/St. James’/IBTS Cellular Therapy Research Group.
What relevant skills or experience do you bring – for example, expertise in developing major research projects?
I completed my Haematology training in Ireland, spending much of my time at St. James’ Hospital, before travelling to London to work at University College London Hospital, where I developed additional skills in leukemia and transplant care at one of Europe’s largest Haematology centres. This experience provided me with diverse skills to help bolster and expand the Haematology malignancies service at St. James’ Hospital. Prior to my fellowship I undertook a Doctor of Medicine (MD) research degree at Trinity College, based in St. James’, exploring immune reconstitution and frailty after reduced-intensity conditioned stem cell transplant. My research allowed me to work closely with the institutions that underpin translational research at our campus, especially the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute (TSJCI), and demonstrated the importance of building these connections early in my career.
I have experience in international collaboration, which is important to help broadcast the many great things we do here in Ireland. I am Vice Chair of the Chronic Myeloid Leukemia sub-committee of the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of the EBMT and an observing member of the MPN/CML sub-committees of the UK Blood Cancer Research Network. Engagement with patient representative groups is also vital to our role and I work with MPN Voice in this regard.
How will this role contribute to the TSJCI programme?
My clinical role supports the high standards at our institution, with cell therapy being a particularly strong component of the OECI Comprehensive Cancer Centre status and being fundamental to ongoing JACIE accreditation. Working with my colleagues to translate our research to bedside practice, improving access to clinical trials, collaborating internationally and streamlining cancer care for our patients ensures my personal career goals are aligned with that of the TSJCI.