Tell us a little bit about yourself
Hi, my name’s Gráinne Tyrrell. Originally from Cork, I moved to Limerick in 2018 to study BSc in Product Design and Technology in UL. I love knitting and crochet, as well as digital and physical art. I also love exploring nature through hiking and climbing. 

Can you tell us about your current research and its potential future impact on health?
I’m pursuing a PhD in biomedical design, focusing on human factors for women in cardiology. I’ve designed custom test rigs to gather real-time user force data from participants. Current datasets which reference user force data are not suitably applicable and in particular severely lack data for women. The data I’m gathering will inform the design of devices that suit the force capabilities of all users. The impact of this would be reduced discomfort for cardiologists when operating cardiovascular devices, mitigating the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. This in turn has a positive impact on the patient experiences and outcomes. 

What challenges have you faced in your career to-date, and how have you overcome them?
I have found when making big life decisions that I often wonder what things would be like if I had chosen a different path. Choosing to pursue a PhD was a significant decision, and it’s easy to get carried away with ‘what ifs’. However, acknowledging that a lot of others in academia and across other careers also have similar feelings has been reassuring. There is no single 'right path' for me; as long as I'm happy and inspired, I can find meaning in the path I’m on right now. 

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received, and how has it influenced your career?
“Find a way to balance your career with your life.” It's easy to get caught up in work, especially when you're passionate about it. This advice has come from different people in different ways, but it always reminds me to step back and gain perspective. My career is an important part of my life, but it's not everything; other aspects of my life deserve my time and attention too.

Is there a woman researcher who has supported you during your career or someone inspirational?
I began working with Donna Curley, Pr. Human Factors Design Engineer, during my undergraduate work placement with Medtronic Aortic, and since then she has supported me through my early career. She has mentored me throughout my PhD and always has faith in me even when I feel unsure of myself. Researching to improve design of products and spaces for women is important to both of us and has helped motivate me in my research.