Profile

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Rachel Allen

Scientist ID

  • Type of scientist:

    Microbiologist

  • Degree(s) and where you obtained them:

    Bachelor of Science (Microbiology) in NUI Galway

  • Qualifications:

    BSc Microbiology

  • Research/Work History:

    4th year project in the Pathogenic Mechanisms Group at NUI Galway

  • Current Job:

    Postgraduate researcher in bacterial stress response

  • Employer/Lab group:

    The Bacterial Stress Response Group directed by Prof Conor O’ Byrne. My research is funded by the Hardiman Scholarship

  • CE team:

    NUI Galway

  • Volunteering since…

    2016

  • Favourite thing about being a Cell EXPLORER volunteer:

    Meeting new people

  • My best tip for extracting DNA:

    Take time to (carefully) mash the banana

    • Favourite thing to do in science: Mastering a skill that seemed impossible when you first tried it.

    • About Me: I’m a research scientist because I really want to find out a way to help people who are sick. But when I'm not in the lab I like reading, watching TikTok videos, online shopping and hanging out with my friends.

    • Read more

      I grew up in Clare and was a bit of a messer in school. I moved to Galway in 2016 to study science, I wasn’t sure at first but I grew to love it. I like to go to concerts and travel to different countries and learn about different cultures. I love animals and one of my favourite hobbies is going to the beach in the summer and watching for dolphins, sharks and whales. My favourite TV show is Brooklyn 99 and my favourite colour is blue.

    • My Typical Day: Wake, eat, read, experiment, repeat.

    • Read more

      I’m only starting my PhD so I need to do lots of reading first. Scientists from all over the world will publish papers which tell other scientists about things they’ve found out during their research. I’m going to be reading these papers so I know what other scientists think about E.coli. I’m then going to start coming up with different experiments to try and answer my question. Typically I wake up at 7.30 and have breakfast and coffee, I’ll then start packing my bag and get ready to leave the house. On any day I could be reading, doing experiments, meeting friends for a chat or listening to music while I write notes. After college I’ll make myself dinner and either relax by watching some TV or playing some games or music. If I want to do something I’ll go to the cinema, swim at the beach, go for a run or if I’m really bored I’ll clean my room!

    • Why did you decide to study science/become a scientist?:

      My Dad gave me lots of encouragement to pursue science even though I thought I wouldn’t be good at it. I really wasn’t sure about science at first but the more time I spent on it the more I grew to love it. I knew I wanted to be a research scientist when I learned about the different problems bacteria can cause for people. I want to find ways to fix these problems.

    • What part of your own life experience gives you a unique view on your science work?:

      I used to think that to be a scientist you needed to be really smart but, I had a great lab mentor that taught me that determination is much more important. I have lots of researcher friends in cell explorers from all over the world that all look and think differently, and they have opened my eyes to different points of view. I have learned that in science it’s important to listen to every persons thoughts and ideas so we can come up with the best solutions for our problem together.   

    • Name 1 thing you struggled with in science and how you overcame it.:

      I used to think that to be a scientist you needed to be really smart but, I had a great lab mentor that taught me that determination is much more important. I have lots of researcher friends in cell explorers from all over the world that all look and think differently, and they have opened my eyes to different points of view. I have learned that in science it’s important to listen to every persons thoughts and ideas so we can come up with the best solutions for our problem together.   

    • Quickfire Q/A questions

      • State 1 part of your job that requires creativity

        I love making cool power points with animations or drawing out my notes in a mind map with lots of colour because it helps me remember things easier, because I forget things easily otherwise!

        Give 1 example of how a hobby/personal interest relates to science

        I like to go fishing and sometimes you can go the whole day waiting for a fish and then when you catch a fish it’s not the one you wanted. This is kind of like working in the lab, sometimes things don’t happen as fast as you want or you don’t get the results you expected.

        How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Joker, Hardworking, Friendly

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Arctic Monkeys

        What's your favourite food?

        A burrito bowl from Tolteca

        What is the most fun thing you've done?

        Skydiving & travelling with my friends in Asia for six weeks

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        I didn’t know what I wanted to be until I was in 6th year!

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        I was always in trouble at school because I was busy making jokes instead of doing schoolwork or I had ‘forgotten’ my homework

        What was your favourite subject at school?

        English, Biology and Art.

        What's the best thing you've done as a scientist?

        Be involved with cell explorers!

        What part(s) of your job makes you happy?

        Finding a solution to a problem that seemed impossible at first

        What or who inspired you to become a scientist?

        My dad is an engineer and my mam studied chemistry in college so I always had an interest in science but when I got to college I learned lots about bacteria and I realised I wanted to become a Microbiologist so my research might be able to help people.

        If you weren't a scientist, what would you be?

        An FBI agent, a doctor or maybe be a scuba diver (even though I’ve never been scuba diving)

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

        To finish my PhD, a puppy or a kitten and get to go on holidays at least once a month

        Tell us a joke.

        I made a chemistry joke, there was no reaction.

    • My profile link:
      https://cellexplorers.imascientist.ie/profile/rachelallen/

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