I graduated from Clonard College in 2018, and looking back, some of my fondest memories are the lifelong friendships I formed, many of which remain strong to this day. Of course, our year group’s banter with teachers also stands out. My favourite classes were always Chemistry and Biology. From a young age, I was captivated by science, and it was clear to me that my future would be in this field.

A special shout-out to Miss Tolan, who was hands-down the best Chemistry teacher I could have asked for. The science methods I learned from her continue to guide me in my studies. Ms. Driessen also left an incredible impression with her knowledge of Biology. I am incredibly grateful for teachers like Doc Nolan, Mrs Cromer, Mr Madden, Mrs Rush and Mr. Brownen, who continually challenged me to push the boundaries of my knowledge.

After graduating from Clonard, I pursued a Bachelor of Science with a major in Human Biology. Following that, I took some time to travel and work before returning to academia for my master’s, which I’m currently working on. My research focuses on breast cancer, specifically investigating how manipulating metabolism could slow the progression of the disease. I’m in the process of writing my thesis, which will be approximately 40,000 words!

In the future, I hope to secure a position in a lab, take a well-deserved break, and do some more traveling. Eventually, I plan to return to my studies and complete my PhD. Recently, I was honoured to receive an award at a research showcase, where my presentation earned the highest score among 100 submissions, even competing against doctors and professors with over 10 years of experience in the field.