Working in the Centre for Genomic Medicine supporting the PhD researchers in the use and implementation of genetics and genomics to understand the mechanisms of disease and improve disease prediction, prevention & diagnosis, Biomedical Science technician Rhonda Black is a key mentor for the many PhD researchers she has supported over a career spanning two decades at Ulster.
Rhonda undertakes the foundational work to guide PhD researchers to perform genotyping and clinical exploration in conditions as diverse as ocular genetic diseases, diabetes, prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease.
She explains:
“With genomic sequencing such a central part of the work in Biomedical science, I’m there to support researchers in detection of small but important genetic differences that can aid our understanding, predict and direct new treatment options in a range of diseases.
I encourage our PhD researchers and guide them as they become more independent and gain expertise in their chosen field. In any given day I can be an assistant, counsellor or first aider to our dedicated PhD research community.”
Originally born and bred in Ballymoney, Rhonda’s work at Ulster University builds on firm scientific foundations, initially studying Veterinary Nursing in Cambridge and starting her career at a Veterinary teaching hospital in Norfolk. There she specialised in Marine & Wildlife rescue and managed the in-house diagnostic labs, carrying out diagnostic testing including pathology, toxicology and parasitology with both exotics and small animals, as well as supervising Veterinary Nurses and Surgeons during their training.
Of her love of conservation and rehabilitation, Rhonda says:
“At times I was known to have a wall of rescued and rehabilitating bats in my home!”
Rhonda combines her work supporting PhD researchers with her important role as Radiation Protection Supervisor for Coleraine Campus, an ACAS trained mediator & Chair/Equality Officer of the local branch of UNITE the Union. Rhonda’s role also involves essential health and safety risk assessments and support for final year undergraduate projects and she works collaboratively with PhD research supervisors as part of the wider team.
Rhonda adds:
“The years of PhD research can be very demanding, lonely and an intense time when much of the rest of their lives is very often put on hold. It can be all encompassing and so as technicians we are hands-on and accessible in helping to set PhD researchers up for success by delivering a supportive and enabling lab environment.”
Outside the labs, Rhonda runs a successful AirBnB, and is currently studying with Ulster University Business School for a degree in International Travel Management. She adds:
“Funnily enough, there’s probably something quite similar in being a host and being a lab technician!
It’s my job to make guests and PhD researchers alike feel at home and comfortable and to ensure they have everything they need; to relax and to do their best work respectively.”