Profile

Photo:

Leona Mc Girr

My CV

  • Education:

    Mount Lourdes Grammar School and Queen’s University

  • Qualifications:

    Degree in Chemistry with Forensic Analysis and PhD in Physical Chemistry

  • Work History:

    Almac- Pharmaceutical Company

  • Current Job:

    Research Fellow in The Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology

  • Read more

    I have just finished a PhD in physical chemistry and I am currently working as a research fellow in the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology. So you are probably wondering how I ended up doing this? Well, to be honest, I was terrible at English in school and so I chose to study chemistry, maths, biology and physics at A-Level. I completely fell in love with Chemistry and actually looked forward to doing my chemistry homework! When it came to deciding what I wanted to study in university, I really struggled. My careers teacher had advised me to do medicine, dentistry or pharmacy because of my subjects, but I wasn’t passionate enough about any of them careers and I didn’t want to limit myself to one job/area. So, I decided to do what I enjoyed the most . . Chemistry. I did a 3 year degree in Chemistry with Forensic Analysis at Queen’s University and a placement year in a pharmaceutical company. In the final year of my degree, I had to complete a forensic project with the Forensic Service Northern Ireland (FSNI). I really enjoyed the research and wanted to do more, therefore I applied for a PhD in physical chemistry and the rest is history!

  • My Typical Day

    Go into my office (which i share with other post graduate students), check my emails, look up the latest journals in my research area and carry out experiments in the lab.

  • What I'd do with the prize money

    Ohh I have a few ideas; organise a science event for secondary students to get hands on experience with science equipment. Or id donate the money to W5 in the Odyssey arena which is a non profit science organisation that make science and learning fun! But im also open to suggestions from the pupils . . . .

  • My Interview

    • What did you want to be after you left school?

      I never really knew- so I just did what I enjoyed the most and that was Chemistry!

      Were you ever in trouble at school?

      Ssssh . . . of course!

      What's your favourite food?

      Nandos

      What is the most fun thing you've done?

      Bungee jump

      If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

      Win a Nobel prize in chemistry (obviously), win the lotto and of course . . . 3 more wishes!

      Tell us a joke.

      Two atoms were walking down the street when one of them said, “I think I lost an electron!” “Really?” the other replied, “Are you sure?” “Yes, I’m positive.”