Science Week Science Profiles - Shauna Donoghue Zoetis

Science Week Science Profiles – Shauna Donoghue, Zoetis

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As part of Science Week 2022 we are profiling local STEM role models to showcase the different careers and job opportunities currently available to young people interested in science. Next up is Shauna Donoghue, a Quality Control Microbiology Analyst in Zoetis. We caught up with Shauna and asked her some questions about her career in science:

Tell us a little about your earliest experiences of science?

My earliest experience of science was when I got a Microscope set for my birthday. It was really exciting to look at different things around my house under the microscope.

What did you study at college and can you tell us a little about it?

I studied General Science in Maynooth University where I studied Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Computer Science. In my final year, I specialised in Biology. It was an interesting course that allowed me to try different subjects to determine what I liked and didn’t like. I studied my Masters in Bioprocess Engineering in DCU, which covered all aspects of manufacturing pharmaceutical products. This was relevant when I started working for Zoetis as I have an understanding of how the product is made.

What is your current role and what do you enjoy most about it?

I am a Quality Control Microbiology Analyst in Zoetis. Our site makes an injection for cats that helps with Arthritis. My job involves contamination control for the product we make so it’s safe for the cats. The thing I enjoy most about my job is seeing what bacteria can grow, and the different types of bacteria that there is.

What is your favourite science fact?

There is a frog in Central America known as Glass frog because it is translucent/clear. It makes it difficult for predators to identify it when it sits on leaves, so it is kind of a form of hiding for the frog.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in science?

There is a broad range of careers in science. Do some research into what you might like, internships/ work placements are great for gaining experience and reach out to people in the science industry who can answer questions you might have about a career in science.