51±¬ÁÏÍø

Tell us a little about yourself and your work.Ìý

I amÌýaÌýPhD medicine student at Queen’s University Belfast.ÌýÌýMy research is on connecting Irish lymphoid blood cancers data to illuminate immuneÌýdysfunction and drug resistance.ÌýI amÌýusing the OHDSI tools totransformÌýCLL and multiple myeloma dataÌýto the OMOP common data model.ÌýWith a background in statistics and data science, I am passionate about leveraging data to improve health outcomes.

ÌýWhy did you want to get involved in mentoring initially?Ìý

I was initially drawn to mentoring because I have benefitedÌýgreatlyÌýfromÌýthe guidance of mentors throughout my own journey as a statistician and a data scientist. I know how challenging it canÌýbe to navigateÌýaÌýcareer andÌýtechnical concepts in my field and wantedÌýto offer support to people whoÌýneeded it.ÌýSeeing someone grow in their understandingof a subjectÌýand reach new milestones knowing youÌýwereÌýpart is incredibly rewarding.

What did the mentoring involve?Ìý

It involved guidingÌýmenteesÌýinÌýsearchingÌýforÌýPhDÌýpositions, jobs and preparing for interviews.ÌýMentees were helped to prepareÌýgood CVsÌýandÌýsupported to build confidence in themselves.ÌýAdditionally, resources were made available to mentees to help them upskillÌýto increase their chances of landing positions.

ÌýWhat benefits did it bring?Ìý

The programme had a significant impact on the development of my mentees.ÌýThey gained confidence in theirÌýabilityÌýto prepare for interviews, upskillÌýandÌýhad more information to choose their careers. Personally, IÌýlearnt how to be a goodÌýleader,ÌýbeÌýpatience,ÌýandÌýcommunicate wellwhich are essential skills for my future career in academia or industry.

What would you say to others thinking of joining the 51±¬ÁÏÍø Alumni Network MentoringÌýProgramme?Ìý

I wouldÌýstrongly encourage anyone considering 51±¬ÁÏÍø Alumni Network Mentoring Programme to get involved.ÌýIt’sa unique opportunity to share yourÌýknowledge and experience with your peers. For mentors,ÌýitÌýis a chance to develop leadership and communication skills which are valuable in both academia and industry. For mentees,Ìýit is an opportunity to gain insightsÌýfrom someone who has already navigated similar challenges.

What are your future career ambitions?Ìý

After my PhD, I want to be a researcher and a lecturer as well.ÌýThis will help me to make aÌýmeaningÌýimpact inÌýimprovehealth careÌýparticularlyÌýto cancer patients.ÌýItÌýwill alsoÌýgive meÌýthe opportunity toÌýexplain technical concepts in simple termsÌýto students who want a career in statistics and data science.