SHSS Alumnae Link - Barbara Murphy
Welcome to SHSS Alumnae Link!
This is where we connect with past pupils and find out what they’re up to now.
This week we linked with Barbara Murphy who graduated in 1996.
Name and position:
Dr. Barbara Anne Murphy, Head of Equine Science, University College Dublin.
Lives:
Sallins, Co. Kildare/Leap, Co. Cork
Best memory of Sacred Heart:
I have so many! The magic of the Christmas plays (the only Latin I learned was the words of the hymns sang as a nun in The Sound of Music), the classroom laughter with friends (often at the expense of teachers or Mother Brendan), the many adventures of Transition Year: mini-company, fashion shows, work experience.
What were your favourite classes?
Biology (despite how scary Mrs. Gilbert could be), Art and the cooking part of Home Ec.
Tell us about your career progression to date:
I went on to do a BSc in Equine Science at UL graduating in 2000, spent a year working in the horse industry and then did a PhD in Veterinary Science at the University of Kentucky. In 2007, I was offered a position at UCD as a Lecturer in Equine Science with responsibility for a new degree programme – a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in Animal Science – Equine. I have been there since and in the meantime some of my research on chronobiology (the science of biological timekeeping) gave rise to a new mobile lighting product for horses. This innovation led to the spin-out of a start-up company, Equilume, where I also act as scientific advisor.
If you weren’t in the job you have, what would you be doing?
Something creative I think, perhaps design related.
Advice you would give your teenage self:
Don’t stop asking questions!
Favourite quote or motto?
I am not very religious, hopefully more spiritual now, but an old Kentucky cowboy once said this and it stuck with me “Thank you Lord for letting me live one more day”.
What is your hidden talent?
I make a mean bread and butter pudding. Thank you, Home Ec class!
Huge thanks to Barbara for taking the time to answer our questions!
See you soon for the next instalment of SHSS Alumnae Link.
Back - left to right: Barbara Murphy, Aisling O'Leary, Beibhinn O' Malley, Aisling O'Brien, Aisling Ward, Catherine Crowley, Valerie O'Donovan.
Front: Julie O'Hea, Jean Houlihan, Aoife McCarthy.
