Caitríona Duggan, PHD Candidate of Vascular access devices for systemic anti-cancer therapy at University of Galway, shared on LinkedIn:
“I’m delighted to share that yesterday I successfully defended my PhD thesis.
This marks the end of an incredible four‑year journey of learning and growth, and the beginning of a new chapter in my clinical academic career.
First, my deepest and most heartfelt thanks go to my primary supervisor, Peter Carr, whose mentorship, expertise and unwavering support over the past four years have been truly transformative. I could not have asked for a better supervisor or role model.
I am also incredibly grateful to my co‑supervisor Orlaith Hernon for her research expertise and methodological rigour, which have been fundamental. Our wider research team Jiaxin (Ciara) Deng and Michelle O’Dowd, and especially Prof. Andrew Simpkin, for their knowledge, patience and encouragement along the way.
Huge thanks to my examiners Christina Lydon and Grigorios Kotronoulas for a robust, and genuinely engaging discussion, and to the Chair of the viva Duygu Sezgin for guiding the process so professionally.
To my fantastic colleagues in Portiuncula Hospital, the PPI group Jacqueline Daly and Onagh O’Grady, Portiuncula management, MCAN Olive Gallagher, the CRFG especially Dr. Veronica McInerney, and to the expert group of co-authors throughout my PhD, thank you for your support, collaboration and belief in the value of this work in cancer care.
I am deeply appreciative of our grant funders Irish Cancer Society, NCCP and ONMSD, for making this research possible and for their commitment to advancing cancer research and oncology nursing.
Finally, to my wonderful family and friends thank you for your love, patience and constant encouragement. I wouldn’t have reached this milestone without you.
Onwards to the next steps in translating this work into practice.”
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