Q&A with Ross O'Carroll
What were the key points of your research?
I conducted research in the field of behavioural neurobiology. Specifically, we investigated the ability of a marine invertebrate, ctenophore Pleurobrachia pileus, to exhibit habituation to mechanical stimuli. Ctenophores have a unique layout to their nervous system in the form of a ‘nerve net’, and investigating whether this system can habituate simple mechanical stimuli helped us to understand how their nervous system operates at a fundamental level. Ctenophores swim using rows of ciliated structures called comb plates, and we applied high-speed videography to measure the ciliary beat frequency of these structures as a readout of nervous system activity.
I conducted this research under the supervision of Dr Mark Pickering and Dr Amy Courtney in UCD in 2017.
What were some of the highlights of your experience as an SSRA student?
The main highlight definitely was being mentored by highly experienced and renowned scientists, who have shaped how I frame problems and think about science to this day. Additionally, I gained a plethora of skills one wouldn’t usually acquire in a medical degree, including basic electronics, programming, advanced microscopy and 3D printing.
Did participating in SSRA improve your research skills?
SSRA was my first experience of a lab, and provided me with a broad foundation in the process of basic research. I was able to take ownership of my SSRA project from the start, from experimental design and optimisation, to prototyping 3D-printed components needed for experiments, all the way to data analysis and presentation. The process of steering the project from start to finish (with lots of help along the way, of course) provided me with a concrete understanding of how a research project is completed. This gave me an advantage in the research projects I went on to complete in the future, in both medicine and science.
How did your SSRA experience help to shape your career?
Doing an SSRA project completely changed the direction of my career. After my SSRA project, I realised I was incredibly passionate about understanding the basic science that underpins medicine, and how it integrates into various clinical specialties. For this reason, after my medical internship, I came back to UCD and completed a medical doctorate (MD) degree in neuroimmunology, with Dr Dearbhaile Dooley. Doing this research was pivotal, as it enabled me to train with renowned scientists on complex and challenging projects, furthering my research and technical skills to MD degree-level. Further, upon completion of my MD, I knew that the laboratory science-side of medicine was what I wanted to pursue. Consequently, I successfully applied to train with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) in the specialty of Histopathology.
Where are you now/What is your position now?
I am a specialist registrar in histopathology, on a national higher specialist training (HST) programme with RCPI. Histopathology is a specialised branch of pathology which involves the microscopic examination of tissues from patients to diagnose disease. It is certainly a rewarding experience to use my passion for laboratory-based science to diagnose and guide the treatment of patients every day.
Why would you recommend the SSRA programme to current students?
SSRA was a fantastic experience. It was challenging, intellectually stimulating, and very fun! Getting to experience laboratory-based research was such a valuable opportunity, which had a huge impact on my career. If you have an area in your degree you are particularly interested in, definitely consider pursuing an SSRA project. You will meet inspirational scientists, gain a host of technical and analytical research skills, and get opportunities to present your work and disseminate it via peer-reviewed publication. Most importantly, the experience of driving a project from inception to completion is invaluable and will stand to you as you complete your degree and commence your career.