Heather Ruskin's main research interests are modelling and analysis of complex systems, and statistical models in the natural and related sciences. Much of Prof. Ruskin's current research effort is focused on the continued development of Biocomputation projects, within Modelling and Scientific Computing, and also under the auspices of the National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB) funded by the HEA PRTLI. She is currently developing links with U.K. experts in the area of Bioinformatics.

Prof. Ruskin's current research activities include a project exploring Computational Models for Immune Response under viral invasion: HIV and immunosuppressive disorders. Funding for this project was provided by Enterprise Ireland and the HEA. Some of this work is done in collaboration with researchers from Trinity College Dublin and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Prof. Ruskin is also currently participating, with colleagues Mr. Gary Keogh and Dr. Martin Crane, on an EU funded project investigating COST action on "Statistical Physics of Risk". Topics of particular interest include econophysics and traffic flow. The area of traffic flow involves microsimulation models with specialised geometries and heterogeneous units. Collaboration with colleagues in TCD is anticipated.

Prof. Ruskin is also collaborating with European colleagues on simulation models for cellular networks, and microscopic models in finance.