BSc (Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics*), PhD Pharmacology
*This degree is now called Cell and Molecular Biology
Studying science at UCD opened plenty of doors for me – and not all of them expected. I had a keen interest in biology at school, but I lacked the stomach to pursue medicine, so the pull of a science degree was strong and UCD was close to home.
I chose to study Botany along with Biochemistry and Zoology, which provided me with an excellent grounding in grander schemes like evolution and ecology as well as the more nuts-and-bolts workings of cells and genes.
After my primary degree I jumped ship to Pharmacology, where I earned my doctorate looking at genes involved in cell growth, regulation and cancer. The PhD was literally a passport to the world - I went on to carry out post-doctoral research in Scotland and Australia - before returning to Ireland and waving goodbye to lab life.
Next I started work as a technical writer for an e-learning company, where I honed writing skills like brevity and clarity – all the while trying to make difficult concepts engaging for readers. From there it was a sideways shimmy into journalism, a work-from-home move that dovetailed neatly with my growing family.
Later I formalised the career move with a Masters in Science Communication from DCU. Sometimes people express surprise that I trained for almost a decade in science to become a journalist, but having that specialty has provided a springboard to write about a diverse range of subjects for The Irish Times and The Irish Examiner, and to research and broadcast radio programmes on RTE. And not only has my scientific training from UCD come to my rescue several times while writing or broadcasting, it has provided me with a wealth of contacts too, through a network of peers and lecturers.
The UCD connection has also proven an invaluable ice-breaker with some interviewees who may be initially reluctant to share their stories with a journalist. While I was UCD student bouncing between lectures, the lab, the sports centre and the pub, I never dreamed I’d be writing about science every week for a national newspaper. But in hindsight it was my best route here.s.
