Profile

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Hannah Cleary

    • About Me:

      I am currently living in Dublin, Ireland but I’m from Limerick. I’m a pharmacist and formulation scientist by day and a tennis star in the evenings. I love playing music (piano and violin) and trying out all the coffee spots around the city!

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      I went to an all Irish primary and secondary school and therefore have always had a love for the Irish language. I have been playing tennis since I was young and continued in Dublin in the local club. I also love watching tennis on tv and also in real life! I’ve been to the Italian Open a number of times and this year I was at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris to watch tennis in the Olympics! I also play the piano and the violin and love listening to music, as well as baking. My favourite dessert to bake is a raspberry custard tart!

    • My pronouns are:

      she/her

    • My Work:

      I’m currently working as a research student in Trinity College Dublin. I’m exploring how long-acting injections work in a patients body. I’m also a pharmacist and sometimes work in community pharmacy at the weekends.

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      Long-acting injections are a useful type of medication as they provide patients with drug in their blood stream over a period of time- weeks or months. My current work involves both lab and computer work to create a regulatory test that is more similar to how the medication works in the body. In this way, it will be easier and quicker for pharmaceutical companies to create more long-acting injectable products!

      As a pharmacist working in community pharmacy in Ireland, I explain medications and medication costs to patients and provide patient consultations. I also source the medications that the doctor prescribes, ensure medication doesn’t interact with their existing medication or medical conditions and that it is suitable for purpose. The medication is then dispensed and I can check the directions and product to ensure everything is correct. These are just some of the main jobs I do in the pharmacy!

    • My Typical Day:

      My typical day included waking up around 8am, getting changed and having my breakfast (porridge and raspberries). I usually walk to the lab and grab a coffee on route. Once at the lab, I sit down at my desk and plan my day/week, answer any emails I may have received and spend the rest of the day either working on my computational research or lab work. All the scientists in the lab usually go for lunch at 1pm and I walk home then around 5pm.

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      After work I usually go for a walk with my friends or play tennis!

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I would use the €500 prize money to launch a STEM podcast/youtube series aimed at secondary school or primary school students. The podcast/youtube series would feature interviews with scientists (what they do on a day to day basis, problems they are trying to tackle with their work etc.), discussions on current research, and fun experiments that students can try at home. I’d also allocate funds for promotional materials to raise awareness and encourage participation, as well as for guest speakers from diverse STEM fields to inspire students and broaden their horizons about careers in science.

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      I also wanted to include fun ways of remembering science facts e.g. through song! I would love to hear from students about what they would like to hear on the podcast, who they would like to hear and if they had any other suggestions!

    Curriculum Vitae

    • Education:

      I went to primary school in Gaelscoil Sáirséal and secondary school in Laurel Hill Coláiste in Limerick, where I completed my Leaving Cert. Thereafter, I started my Bachelors in Pharmacy in University College Cork (UCC) which I completed, along with a Masters in Pharmacy. Now, I’m currently in my 3rd year of PhD studies in pharmaceutical sciences in Trinity College Dublin.

    • Qualifications:

      I have completed:

      • Junior Cert
      • Leaving Cert
      • Bachelors in Pharmacy
      • Masters in Pharmacy
      • Currently in my 3rd year of PhD studies in pharmaceutical sciences

    • Work History:

      • Waitress in a cafe
      • Over the counter assistant in Lloyds Pharmacy
      • Technical Process Specialist in pharmaceutical company
      • Pre-reg pharmacist in community pharmacy
      • Locum Community Pharmacist
      • PhD Researcher

    • Current Job:

      PhD Research Student

    • Employer

      Trinity College Dublin

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        serving science and aces

        What was your favourite subject at school?

        Music

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        Pharmacist

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Not really

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Actress

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Florence and the machine

        What's your favourite food?

        Fajitas

        What is the most fun thing you've done?

        Skydiving

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

        1. Travel to every continent in the world, 2. To speak more languages, 3. To participate in a project that increases medication access to everyone in the world

        Tell us a joke.

        What did the biologist wear to impress their date?

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