I am an intern on the academic track in Dublin’s Mater hospital, completing research into paediatric neurosurgery. I originally qualified as a nurse before returning to study medicine. In RCSI I became interested in research working as the editor of the RCSI student medical journal and the RCSI lead for the Neurology and Neurosurgery Interest group. I’m starting CST in July and intend to pursue a career in neurosurgery. I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of experience in research and I want to encourage doctors at all stages in their training not to be intimidated and to get involved