September 2020 – June 2021 (1 year): Research placement – student intern, NICHE, Ulster University Coleraine.
- Worked alongside a PhD researcher on their research project (timing of eating and exercise – Time-Ex study).
- Developed skills in interacting with general public.
- Helped with initial set up and recruitment – created screening questionnaires as well as follow up questionnaires that would be used for participant visits (all accessible online).
- Also, able to do some independent background work such as reviewing papers and extraction data, creating/ adapting standard operating procedures (SOP).
- Managed to keep study running despite restrictions.
- Developed gold standard skills for recording food intake (CCTV vs dietary recall).
January 2017 (1 week): Food technologist work placement, Moy Park Craigavon
- Co-operated in new product development (NPD) and learnt about all processes involved in products, from initial concept, through to development, production, quality and sales & dispatch.
- Operated as part of a team in the kitchen area.
- Gained an insight of what went into goods and raw materials testing methodology and requirements to ensure quality standards are maintained.
- Obtained knowledge of handling potential allergens in food products.
