Rachel's story goes beyond academic accomplishments; it's a tale of triumph over personal adversity. Living with congenital heart disease and undergoing several open-heart surgeries during childhood, her journey serves as an inspiration to many, highlighting the power of perseverance and dedication.
Originally from Bangor, Northern Ireland, Rachel's academic journey at Ulster began with an undergraduate degree in cardiovascular healthcare science, driven by a passion to become a cardiac physiologist. However, a pivotal moment during her final year prompted a shift towards a career in cardiovascular research rather than clinical work, leading her to apply for a PhD at Ulster.
A mature student, Rachel faced unique challenges, having missed significant portions of primary and secondary schooling due to ill health and having completed non-science A levels. Undeterred, she took the initiative to enrol in an access course in science at SERC in the evenings, laying the foundation for her academic pursuits at Ulster.
Studying at Ulster provided Rachel with opportunities to challenge herself and develop new skills. The researcher development programme not only developed her research skills but also provided valuable interactions with PhD students from various disciplines, offering diverse perspectives.
Throughout her academic journey, Rachel benefited from the support of excellent academic supervisors, as well as huge amounts of support from both Dr. Benson and Dr. Lockhart who were two of Rachel’s consultants, and who were clinical advisors for her research study.
Rachel's resilience and persistence were put to the test as she faced numerous health challenges.
“I have had lots of health challenges during my time studying at Ulster – including several strokes, TIAs, surgery, as well as shielding during covid.
I think most people doing a PhD would describe persistence as a quality needed to complete a PhD and because of the various health issues I’ve had throughout my life, I was fortunate to be able to develop this quality from a young age, which helped me overcome the challenges I faced during my time studying at Ulster.”
Looking ahead, Rachel has transitioned into a role as a lecturer in healthcare science at Ulster over the past year. She continues her academic pursuits by recently starting the PgCHEP (Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice) and remains actively involved in cardiovascular research at Ulster University.
If you’re interested in finding out more about undertaking a PhD, visit: Funded and Self-Funded PhD studentships - Ulster University