Hi everyone! I am Nicole, and I recently joined Dr. Olga Piskarvera’s team as a research intern for 8 months. I am 21 years old, and I am currently in my 3rd year of my degree in Advanced Therapeutic Technologies at RCSI. It’s essentially a fusion of biomedical science and biotechnology with emphasis on bioinformatics!
I have always loved science and dreamt of working in a lab since I was a little, so being able to explore both bioinformatics and lab work is an exciting way to explore my curiosity and creativity. I was quite nervous starting out because I didn’t know what to expect, especially in the lab, as I was afraid of making mistakes. However, I am slowly learning and becoming more confident each day!
A few facts about me: I love animals, especially cats, and, of course, I have a cat myself! Her name is Mochi, and she’s a Scottish fold; she has been my little companion since I was 15. One of my favourite foods is Vietnamese beef pho (Aobaba on Capel Street is my go-to!). I also enjoy reading in my spare time. Two of my favourite books are Homeseeking by Karissa Chen and The Hot Zone by Richard Preston.
I am looking forward to everything I’ll learning during my time with this team! 😊
Written by Nicole Guo