Dr Katriona O'Sullivan, lecturer in the Department of Psychology and a researcher at the Assisting Living & Learning Institute at Maynooth University joins me this week. Katriona chats to me about her incredible journey through academia from being 15 and homeless with a baby on the way and the defining moments that has got her to where she is today. Katriona also discusses the importance of people believing in her and encouraging her to believe in herself.

As a graduate from Trinity Access Programme herself, Katriona's research now focuses on the impact of such programmes which attempt to raise the aspirations of underrepresented students. Her recent work includes collaborations with Microsoft to develop Dreamspace an immersive learning hub and her new 'STEM-Passport for Inclusion' project which aims to transform how disadvantaged women gain access to STEM course.

Katriona's story is one of resilience, determination and true passion for what she does. 

Follow Katriona: katrionaos

Follow me: MeganHanlon4

This season is kindly sponsored by Bio-Sciences Ltd, now part of Thermo-Fisher Scientific.