By Lisa Ramsden
A NEWCASTLE woman, who last week graduated with a PhD, has dedicated her research to her late father.
On Thursday, Dr. Hannah Parks graduated with a PhD in Medicine from Queen’s University Belfast, following a remarkable journey shaped by childhood illness and the loss of her father, Michael, to Cystic Fibrosis (CF) when she was just five.
Multiple surgeries, fatigue, and time spent being homeschooled didn’t stop her from discovering a love of science that carried her through her A-levels, followed by a Master’s degree and now her doctorate.
Hannah has dedicated her research to studying the same type of pathogens that affected her father, turning grief into purpose and demonstrating extraordinary resilience along the way.
Having been faced with obstacles from an early age – none more so than the loss of her beloved Daddy when he was aged just 39 – Hannah’s inner drive and determination shone through.
Having started out as a pupil at St Mary’s Primary School in her hometown, she then moved to St Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan. After around 18 months, and due to ongoing health concerns, it was decided the best course of action was for Hannah to be tutored at home.
However, by the time it came to commencing her A-level studies, Hannah was well enough to return to a classroom setting, and she joined Shimna Integrated College, in Newcastle, where she studied the three sciences.
After gaining terrific results, she then commenced a Biochemistry degree at Queen’s University Belfast, followed by a postgraduate, and now this doctorate, which has paved the way for her becoming a Research Fellow, also at Queen’s.
With a wealth of qualifications under her belt, not to mention a host of letters after her name, the ever-modest Hannah credits her mum, Noreen, for being her “rock” over the years, encouraging her every step of the way.
She adds that she hopes her late dad is proud of her.
CF is a genetic condition that causes mucus to build up in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs, leading to breathing problems and severe digestive issues. It is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, which disrupts the balance of salt and mucus in cells, creating the problematic mucus that clogs airways and leads to severe digestive problems.
Knowing all too well the condition’s devastating effects, Hannah is passionate about doing whatever she can to help advance research into Cystic Fibrosis, with the goal of finding better outcomes for treatment and ultimately a cure for this condition.
Thanking her family, friends, former teachers – with a particular shout-out to Shimna’s former vice-principal Ellen McVea – as well as everyone at Queen’s for their support over the years, Hannah said Friday’s graduation ceremony was very special, and she was delighted to have her mum with her.
“My mum is my rock. She is my everything, and I could not have done this all without her.”
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