Profile
Alannah McDonnell
Scientist ID
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Type of scientist:
Medical Student
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Degree(s) and where you obtained them:
Currently 4th year of Medicine NUIG
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Qualifications:
Currently 4th year of Medicine NUIG
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Research/Work History:
I've been with the Red Cross since I was 12
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Current Job:
An undergraduate student
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Employer/Lab group:
I’m a 4th year medical student hoping to do Emergency Medicine once I graduate.
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CE team:
NUI Galway
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Volunteering since…
2016
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Favourite thing about being a Cell EXPLORER volunteer:
answering all the interesting questions we get from kids, sometimes I have to go and research something because they might know more than I do!
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My best tip for extracting DNA:
Patience! When you’re using the loop to scoop the DNA out of the tube, you need to be patient and take your time, too much movement can make the DNA dissolve back into the solution!
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About Me: I’m a 4th year medical student hoping to do Emergency Medicine once I graduate.
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Read more
I’ve been living in Galway City since I was born. I love reading and recently have started doing a lot of arts and crafts in my spare time. I love to go swimming in the sea in Galway, and try to get out at least once a week (although it can be hard sometimes with the weather in the west!) I’m an active member of the Red Cross and have a keen interest in Emergency Medicine.
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My Course/Research/Work: I’m studying Medicine in NUIG. In 2 years I’ll hopefully be a qualified doctor. We learn everything about how a person’s body works, and what happens when something goes wrong!
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I’m studying Medicine in NUIG. The first half of the course is what we call “pre-clinical”, this means we do most of our learning in a lecture hall or in labs. I’m now in the second half of my course, the “clinical” half. I’m loving it at the minute, we shadow doctors around the hospital learning as much as we can. This year I even got the chance to help out in a surgery. It’s a really cool and exciting course!
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My Typical Day: My typical day is spending time in the hospital in Galway and filling my time in the evening with study and friends.
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I start every day with a bowl of shreddies, my favourite cereal. Then I cycle up to college, it’s always nice to start the day with some fresh air, even if it’s raining! I then spend most of my day in the hospital, each day in the hospital varies so much because I’m working with different teams all the time. Sometimes we go to clinical meetings, where patients are discussed and decisions get made. Sometimes we’re in outpatient clinics, when we meet the patients that don’t need to go into the hospital but are still sick. Sometimes I get to watch some surgeries.
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Why did you decide to study science/become a scientist?:
I only decided to try to do Medicine about 3 months before I applied. I’ve been a member of the Irish Red Cross since I was 11/12 and I always loved the idea of helping people get better.
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What part of your own life experience gives you a unique view on your science work?:
In the Irish Red Cross as I was growing up I met so many amazing women who helped teach me that I could do anything I wanted to do. I’ve always had a wonderful support system of people around me. Now that I’m in the course there’s such a big range of people to meet, I’ve made so many new friends from different places and I’m so lucky to have this opportunity.
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Name 1 thing you struggled with in science and how you overcame it.:
I sometimes struggle with figuring out how really really small things work. I find it hard to learn and think about things that I can’t imagine even how small they are. I love watching youtube videos to get a basic understanding of something before I start studying and researching it more. But really it’s all about keeping calm and trying hard!
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Quickfire Q/A questions
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State 1 part of your job that requires creativity
Sometimes we present a case to our whole class, it can be a bit boring at times, so I love to make my presentations as interactive as possible! A "case" is basically when we follow a patient's story from when they come into the hospital until we find out what the problem is and try to fix it, then hopefully send them home. We also need to “think outside the box” when coming up with diagnoses for patients.
Give 1 example of how a hobby/personal interest relates to science
Painting can help you to refine your “fine motor skills”, this means how good you are at doing really small tasks and controlling your hands. I paint in my free time, usually cartoon style paintings because I think it's easier! Fine motor skills will help me if I decide to do surgery after I graduate, or if you meet a patient with something small like a splinter, it's easier to take out!
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Arty, Energetic, Outgoing.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
dodie
What's your favourite food?
Anything sweet – especially chocolate or marshmallows (or both!)
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Gone white water rafting in slovenia
What did you want to be after you left school?
A doctor
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I always used to get in trouble for talking too much!
What was your favourite subject at school?
English!
What's the best thing you've done as a scientist?
I think sharing my knowledge with people around me
What part(s) of your job makes you happy?
Meeting new people and hearing their stories!
What or who inspired you to become a scientist?
The Irish Red Cross
If you weren't a scientist, what would you be?
I think I’d be in marketing
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I’m always wishing that I’ll pass my exams at the end of each year. I wish that I had a (eco-friendly) private jet, so I could go on holiday whenever I wanted.
Tell us a joke.
How do you tell if a vampire is sick? By how much they are coffin. (lol)
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My profile link:
https://cellexplorers.imascientist.ie/profile/alannahmcdonnell/
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