County
Meath
Educational Institution
University College Dublin
Course
Neuroscience
Graduation year
AIS Winners
It has been an absolute privilege to receive an All Ireland Scholarship and I am in no doubt that it has, and will continue, to shape my career in the years ahead.
My career began in University College Dublin (UCD) where I studied Neuroscience for four years, receiving a First Class Honours degree. Having the All Ireland Scholarship gave me the confidence to aim high in my studies and explore every possible opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills.
Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I decided to pursue a PhD in Clinical Medicine at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin. As part of my research, I investigated novel applications of clinical biomarkers in the detection of chemotherapy-mediated cardiac and kidney injury. One of the highlights of my PhD was my graduation. The former Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, received an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as I graduated with my PhD at the ceremony.
After my PhD, I worked for a year as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Conway Institute (UCD) developing and evaluating clinical tests for various types of inflammatory arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This was a challenging but very worthwhile experience.
Most recently, my career has taken a new direction outside of the laboratory and I am now the Research Officer for Fighting Blindness. As part of my role, I provide advice and information to members of the public seeking to learn more about sight loss and assist in referring patients for genetic testing. Just as the All Ireland Scholarship has helped to support my studies, I can now use the skills and knowledge I’ve acquired during my career to help and support other people.
I truly believe that the All Ireland Scholarship has not only provided financial assistance, which is so kindly appreciated, but also the confidence to achieve great things in my career. I feel blessed to have received the support I have from Mr JP McManus and the All Ireland Scholarship programme and for that I will always be very grateful.