AN Ulster University PhD graduate who has battled cancer, Covid-19 and early menopause throughout her studies has said she is “filled with hope”.
Dr Sarah McNally (28), from Co Monaghan, graduated with a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science on Monday.
Thanking her family, friends and university supervisors for their support, she said research into the health and wellbeing of young people gave her purpose after being diagnosed with stage 3 Low Grade Serious Ovarian Cancer in October 2022, three years into her postgraduate degree.
The dedicated student’s diagnosis also followed a struggle with Covid-19 which ultimately caused her to enter early menopause in her mid-twenties.
Speaking ahead of her graduation ceremony, she said: “Today, even as I await more scan results, I feel hopeful. It’s been a long and difficult process since I became extremely ill in the final stages of my PhD after spending two years fighting to be heard.
“But through Covid, then cancer and then the menopause, the thing I have learned is to never stop showing up. I could have given up, sometimes I struggled to even stand up, but continuing with my studies knowing that my research will help others filled me with hope.
“The last few years have shaped me to be a well-rounded person, and Ulster University has provided me with the key ingredients for that as I went through treatment, had two major operations, and entered the menopause in my twenties.”
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As a swimming coach of over ten years, Sarah’s longstanding interesting in health and fitness focused her PhD research on inspiring children and young people to live more active lifestyles with the support of Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke.
Dr McNally was the first to be awarded a studentship by the charity, involving a one-year Masters in research before a three-year PhD.
She had previously studied Human Nutrition for three-years at Ulster University Coleraine.
She will now be starting a five-year post-doctorate at Trinity College Dublin, researching and working with hospitals on issues like women’s health, the menopause, physical activity and nutrition.
