Class Notes 1990s
Evelyn Harris, LLB 1994 has recently been appointed as Partner in the law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills. Evelyn will be leading the Disputes and Technology teams across UK, USA and EMEA. (note added 05/05/22)
William Herron, BEng (1989), PhD (1993) has been awarded the 2021 IChemE Davidson Medal by the Institution of Chemical Engineers. The award is presented to an individual demonstrating outstanding mentorship to young chemical engineers, in academia or industry. (note added 11/05/2021)
Martin A McNally, MB BCh BAO (1986), MD (1996), is Lead Surgeon of the Oxford Bone Infection Unit and Consultant in Limb Reconstruction at the Oxford University Hospitals. He is Honorary Senior Lecturer in Orthopaedic Surgery at Oxford University and King James IV Professor at The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He is Past-President of the European Bone & Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) and President of the Girdlestone Orthopaedic Society. He is a member of the Education and Research Committees of the European Federation of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT).
He is married to Helena (née Jack), BSc (1985), MSc (1990), who is Associate Director of Clinical Studies at Oxford University. Together, they have 3 wonderful children and one spaniel. Both continue to support and follow the fortunes of QUB rowing. Martin can be contacted at martin.mcnally@ouh.nhs.uk (note added 11/05/2021)
Tanya Kempston, BA English Language and Literature (1995) and PGCE English and Drama (1996), is now working as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education in the University of Hong Kong. She recently received her Faculty’s Emergency Remote Teaching Award for her work in 2019-20. One thing the Judging Panel thought especially worthy of mention was a project she set up in May 2020 called Hear This! A Festival of Radio Drama on Zoom, a community event that would enable the secondary school participants to use their English language skills in a collaborative and creative way and to show them that drama is such an adaptable medium. The project has now been expanded, with the help of a Teaching Development Grant, to be one that includes primary and secondary schools. (note added 15 March 2021)
Christopher Maccabe, LLM (1991) was awarded, in March 2020, an Honorary Professorship at Queen's University Belfast in the Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Peace, Security and Global Justice as Professor of Practice of Conflict Resolution. (note added 13/01/2021)
Dr Wejdan Abu-Elhaija, PhD (1999), has been appointed Vice-President for Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan. Formerly Professor in Electrical Machines at Princess Sumaya University for Technology, she was the first female Dean of Engineering in Jordan. Honoured with the US Department of State’s ‘Women in Science’ Hall of Fame award (2012), she received an honorary Doctor of Science in Engineering from Queen’s (2013) for her outstanding services to Engineering.
Martin Boyle, BA Ancient History (1999), has been working as a classics teacher in Peterborough since 2001 and has recently been promoted to head of department. Martin can be contacted at obaoill@hotmail.com.
Raveen Chinnavan, BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1999, returned to Singapore after graduating and worked with the Land Transport Authority as a systems engineer. In 2005 he married his girlfriend of 7 years, Laurencia, and they returned to the UK. Raveen is now working as a principal consultant for Ikon Risk Consulting Ltd. Raveen would love to hear from former classmates and can be contacted at raveen07@yahoo.com.sg.
Anne-Marie Forker, LLB (1999), is living in England but getting married at Belfast Castle in May 2009! She is enjoying working as editor of the Northern Ireland Law Reports and studying for a doctorate part-time. She would love to hear from former classmates especially Aine, Claire or Elaine. Anne-Marie can be contacted at anne-marie.forker@lexisnexis.co.uk.
Glenn Hempton, MEng Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (1999), and his wife Julie have just had their first baby, James Alexander, on 22 March in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Glenn is currently working for Procter and Gamble with global responsibility for various purchase systems strategy and delivery. He is also a board member of the Global Upstream Supply Initiative (GUSI), working to set standards and direction across the industry. Glenn would love to hear from old classmates at glenn_hempton@hotmail.com.
Caoimhe Keogan, BSc Psychology (1999), MSc Occupational Psychology (2000), won the Excellence in People & Talent Award at the 2015 Digital Masters Awards. Caoimhe is currently VP People at SoundCloud, based in Germany. In the past two years, she has overseen huge growth in the company, which now has over 300 staff from 36 countries in four offices across the globe. Find out more at www.soundcloud.com
Rory Mackin, BA English and Spanish (1999), has recently been promoted to Vice- President, Corporate and Financial Communications with Hill and Knowlton - a leading international communications consultancy. Rory can be contacted at rorymackin@hotmail.com.
Jenny Markey, MSc Rural Development (1999), married Conal O'Connor from Kerry on 29 August 2008. Jenny can be contacted at customercare@purity.ie.
Stephen Murray, MSc Orthodontics (1999), is working as a specialist orthodontist for the Irish health service, and as he turned 40 this year, his long standing activity with Junior Chamber International is coming to an end. His last major engagements for the organisation, which develops leadership skills in young people, included organising the national debate championships and being MC at the awards ceremony to honour the outstanding young people of 2008. Stephen can be contacted at orthodontics@ireland.com.
Scott McKeown, BSc Biomedical Sciences (1999), PhD (2002), is still working at Queen's and very much enjoying his research within the acute lung injury team in the Respiratory Medicine Research Cluster. Outside of work he continues to work hard as singer, writer and bass player in the band ‘[crave]:' They have two full albums of original material currently released, are signed for worldwide distribution and publishing, and have performed on various TV and radio sessions, playing throughout Ireland and the UK. Scott can be contacted at s.t.w.mckeown@qub.ac.uk.
Pedro J Oiarzabal, MPhil in Economics and Social Sciences (1999), is the author of three books and several articles on Basque identity, migration, diaspora, and information and communication technologies. Dr Oiarzabal is considered a leading specialist on Basque migration and identity. He is currently a Visiting Scholar at the University of Nevada, Oral History Program. Pedro can be contacted at pjo@unr.edu.
Stephen Webb, MB BCh BAO 1999, is currently a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at Papworth Hospital. Stephen can be contacted at stephen.webb@papworth.nhs.uk.
Nicola Barr, MSW 1998, was awarded a Masters in Forensic Psychology by Leicester University in January 2008, after working for ten years as a probation officer. If anyone reading this is a chartered forensic psychologist who is interested in supervising a lovely, intelligent and committed person (Nicola) towards her chartership, please get in touch. Nicola is married with 2 children. She can be contacted at nicola.barr@pbni.org.uk.
Joanne Campbell (née Shaw), PGCE 1998, left primary school teaching in 2013 to pursue a career as a freelance artist and art teacher. Joanne paints with acrylics on canvas and slate and teaches drawing and painting in Whitehead and Antrim. Her paintings can be found in Belfast Castle, America, Japan and Germany. For more, go to www.ballycarryart.com
Patrick Comyn, BSc Psychology 1998, is pleased to announce his engagement to Aoibhinn Twomey from Mourneabbey, County Cork. Paddy can be contacted at paddycomyn@gmail.com.
Rachel Cooper (née Aspland), BA English Literature and Language 1998, set off to Greece for a year teaching English in 1998 and fell in love with the job. She returned to the UK in 1999 and has been teaching since. In 2007 she married Tom, and together they are about to embark on a new adventure, moving to Abu Dhabi later this year. Rachael is taking on a role as an ESOL advisor to Arab teachers in a cluster of schools, which feels like the perfect step career-wise. Rachel can be contacted at rachel76cooper@hotmail.co.uk
John T Doherty, MB BCh BAO 1998, is a consultant anaesthetist with the Western Trust. He can be contacted at jtdoherty@btinternet.com.
Myles Doherty, BA French and Spanish 1998, is working for the Irish Diplomatic Service and is currently posted to the Irish Embassy in Mexico. Myles can be contacted at myles.doherty@dfa.ie.
Aidan Fadden, MA Modern Literary Studies (1998), writes under the name Aidan Conway, signed a two-book deal with Harper Collins ‘Killer Reads’ earlier this year. Aidan’s first novel – A Known Evil – was launched at John Cabot University in Rome in April 2018. A literary crime-thriller set in contemporary Rome, the followup in the series – A Cold Flame – was released in paperback in September.
Stephen Finlay, BA Geography 1998, married Margaret Henderson in April 2006. Shortly after their wedding they moved to Toronto, Canada for a 16-month career break. Stephen worked as an Advisor in the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, while Margaret taught geography in Bishop Strachan, private girls’ school. Having recently returned from Canada, Margaret has resumed her position as Head of Social Studies at Glengormley High School while Stephen is working as a Senior Consultant with Deloitte. Stephen can be contacted at stephenfinlay@hotmail.com.
Sarale Hickson, BSSc Politics 1998, MA Comparative Ethnic Conflict 1999, and Josh Kulla, both graduates of the inaugural Comparative Ethnic Conflict Masters, had a baby boy, Daniel Kulla Hickson, on 5 May 2008. Sarale can be contacted at saralehickson@hotmail.com.
Jeff McFerran, BSc Maths and Statistics 1998, and wife, Gemma (BEd 2002), have become the proud parents of a baby daughter Sadie Hazel Anne McFerran born on 25 May 2008. Jeff can be contacted at jeff.mcferran@talk21.com.
Alison McLeod, MB BCh BAO 1998, joined the Memorial Medical Centre, Kent as a partner in 2002. She is now a GP Registrar trainer and FY2 trainer. She married, Mark, in 2003. Alison can be contacted at Alison.mcleod@nhs.net.
Kathleen Bushnell Owsley, MA Irish Studies 1998, was named Director, One D, a regional transformation project for metropolitan Detroit focusing on economic development, race relations, regional transit, educational preparedness and quality of life. Kathleen can be contacted at kat.owsley@oned.org.
Edward Simmons, MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1998, has recently (January 2008) become the proud father of a baby girl - Alice Edith!! Edward can be contacted at ed.simmons@ntlworld.com.
Peter Spence, MB BCh BAO 1998, is a GP partner in Moira and still playing 1st XV rugby! Peter can be contacted at petespence90@hotmail.com.
Patricia Stevens (née Coburn), BSc Geology 1998, continued her studies at the University of Aberdeen (MSc Petroleum Geology), and University of Leeds (PhD Geochemistry). She then went to Cambridge University to gain a PGCE in Science, also becoming a fast track teacher with the DFES. After securing a position with Allerton Grange School, she became responsible for GCSE Science, then Head of Chemistry, and finally Deputy Head of Science. She then moved to become a specialist maths and science teacher with the Hospital & Home Teaching Service, and has recently been appointed to the chemistry post at Chadwick School in Los Angeles, California, USA. In 2006 she married a Yorkshire man on Grand Cayman in the Caribbean. She has lived in Leeds for almost 8 years, has two dogs, and is now in the process of relocating to the US! Patricia can be contacted at drstevens@aol.com.
Kerry Wilkinson, BSc Psychology 1998, got engaged to Darren Millin on New Years Eve 2007 and they were married on 8 September 2008. Kerry can be contacted at kezza_ni@hotmail.com.
John Connellan, BA History and Politics 1997, is married to Kiera Brown from Castlewellan and is working in private legal practice in Dublin. He would love to hear from former classmates. John can be contacted at john@carleyandconnellan.ie.
Philip Creaney, BSc Biological Sciences 1997, is now married and the proud father of two children, a boy and a girl – the set is complete with his wife’s two Bichon Firse dogs! Philip can be contacted at philipcreaney75@hoymail.com.
Kevin Gilchrist, BSc Computer Science 1997, married Lidiette Celado on 7 June 2007 in the Dominican Republic. Kevin can be contacted at kevin.gilchrist@gmail.com.
James Hutton, BSc Physics with Astrophysics 1997, is currently Service Development Manager Cancer and Clinical Support at the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals Trust. James can be contacted at huttonjames@hotmail.com.
Simon Mowbray, BA Modern History and Politics 1997, has taught in Castlederg High School in Co Tyrone since 1999. After five years as Vice Principal there, he was recently appointed Principal of Devenish College, Enniskillen, and took up post on 1 September.
Tim Murnane, BEng Civil Engineering (1997), has been awarded a Fellowship of Engineers Ireland (CEng FIEI) – the highest accolade conferred on members by Engineers Ireland and reflecting the ultimate level of distinction in the area of Engineering. Tim (pictured top) received the accolade from Dermot Byrne, President of Engineers Ireland, at a conferring ceremony at Engineers Ireland in Dublin, where he now lives and where he is a Director of PUNCH Consulting Engineers.
Dr Ahed Al Wahadni, PhD (1997), who is Vice-President, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), has recently been appointed Jordan’s Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education. Having published several books and over 50 scientific papers, Professor Wahadni was named Distinguished Researcher by Jordan’s Ministry of Higher Education and is a part recipient of the Shouman Prize for Arab scientists.
June Avond (née Hadden), BA French and German 1996, moved to France after graduation and became an English teacher specializing in teaching secondary school pupils with learning difficulties. In 2008 she was elected as a local councillor, the first foreigner in the area to be elected and one of only two women on a council of fifteen. She married a French man in 1999 and they have a daughter, Talia, born in 2003. June can be contacted at deejay.avond@neuf.fr.
Robert Craig, BEng Mechanical Engineering 1996, has just completed his Masters of Education in Digital Media Education from the University of Limerick with first class honours. He is married to fellow Queen’s graduate, Pamela Andison, and they have two little boys, Jacob and Lewis. Robert is currently working in Sligo Institute of Technology as a Lecturer of Computer Aided Design. He can be contacted at robertcraig@eircom.net.
Peter Gallagher, MSc Opto-electronics and Optical Information Processing (1996), PhD Astrophysics (2000), and his wife Professor Emma Teeling, PhD Molecular Phylogenetics (2001) Peter and Emma were invested as Chevaliers des Palmes Académiques (Knights of the Order of Academic Palms) in May 2017, at a special ceremony in the French Ambassador’s Residence in Dublin. Peter is Professor in Astrophysics/Associate Dean of Research at Trinity College Dublin, while his wife, Emma, is Professor in Zoology at University College Dublin. The honour is one of the highest accolades France bestows on academics and researchers.
Philip Grieve, MB BCh BAO 1996, has recently passed the FRCSEd in Trauma and Orthopaedics Surgery. He has been offered a Trauma Fellowship in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia for one year. Also in 2008 a new addition to the family has arrived, a second child, Conor Philip. Philip can be contacted at philgrieve@doctors.org.uk.
David McNeill, BEng Mechanical Engineering 1996, moved to Brazil to work on an assignment as Latin America Aftermarket Leader for Cummins Power Generation. He has moved with his wife and two daughters for a three year period and is enjoying very much living in one of the largest cities in the world. David can be contacted at david.mcneill@cummins.com.
Albert (Berrie) S J O'Neill, BA General Studies (1996), has written a biography of the Edwardian songwriter, poet, artist and entertainer Percy French, entitled Tones That Are Tender – Percy French 1854-1920. Published by The Lilliput Press and produced in association with The Percy French Society, the biography gives a fascinating insight into the life of one who brought laughter and enjoyment to so many as an artist, author, civil engineer, journalist, poet, parodist, songwriter and entertainer. Born in County Galway, Berrie enjoyed a long career with the Bank of Ireland in Dublin and Belfast and served a term as President of the Irish Association for Cultural, Economic, and Social Relations. He is now President of the Percy French Society in North Down, and lives in Belfast with his wife, Gladys.
Julie Wilson, BA Business Administration and French 1996, graduated from Harvard with a Masters in Education (Ed.M.). Julie can be contacted at juliemwilson@hotmail.com.
David Gilmore, MSSc 1995, was appointed as Rector of the Parish of St Anne with St Thomas and St Peter in Soho in the Diocese of London at a service on 27 April 2008. David was ordained Deacon in 2003 and Priest in 2004 in the Diocese of Chelmsford, and served his title as a curate in the Parish of St John the Baptist, Danbury until his move to London. David can be contacted at davidgilmore@btinternet.com.
Patrick Hicks, MA in Irish Writing (1995), has been in touch to tell us about his latest book and his time at Queen’s.
“I had the good fortune of graduating from Queen's in 1995 and whenever I'm in Belfast I always walk the campus to see what's new. Exciting changes have occurred since I graduated almost 25 years ago, and it's wonderful to see the next generation of students studying, laughing, debating, and thinking.”
Patrick’s eleventh book is Library of the Mind: New & Selected Poems, published by Salmon Poetry. He was a finalist for an Emmy (Writer-Short Form) and is currently the host and curator of the weekly NPR-affiliated radio show, Poetry from Studio 47.
The Writer-in-Residence at Augustana University, and faculty member in the MFA program at Sierra Nevada College added: “I'm reminded, yet again, of how much I learned at Queen’s, especially from Edna Longley, Glenn Patterson, and Seamus Heaney.”
More at http://patrickhicks.org/ (updated 30 October 2019)
Dr Ciara Kennedy (née Ryan), Master of Medical Science (1995), PhD Biology (1998), was appointed President and CEO of Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in December 2016 having been its Chief Operating Officer (COO) since October 2015. Prior to joining Amplyx, Dr Kennedy served as COO at Lumena Pharmaceuticals until the company was acquired by Shire Pharmaceuticals in June 2014.
Patricia McAteer, BEd 1995, has lived in Belgium since October 2006. Patricia and Johan Verhoeven became the proud parents of daughter, Caoimhe, in August 2007. Patricia now speaks fluent Dutch and is brushing up on her French in this 4-lingual country! She can be contacted at patriciamcateer@telenet.be.
Stephen Moore, LLB Law and Accounting 1995, set up his own Management Consultancy Company - Docklands (www.docklandsltd.com) five years ago. It specialises in public sector consultancy. He is now married to Claire with two children – a boy and girl. He looks forward to meeting up again with fellow graduates and can be contacted at stephen@docklandsltd.com.
Sharon Noonan (née Devlin), BA Business Administration 1995, has taken to the airwaves! Sharon presents a food and drink show, ‘Best Possible Taste’, on West Limerick 102FM every Tuesday from 8-9pm. The one-hour programme features a variety of topics including on-air wine tastings, reports from food festivals and interviews with a wide range of guests from celebrity chefs to culinary heroes and artisan producers. If you have an interesting food story to tell, Sharon would love to hear from you. You can email her at s.noonan@live.ie, follow her @QueenofOrg (short for Queen of Organisation) and listen to the podcast of her show www.soundcloud.com/food-and-drink-show
Gareth Stewart, BA Scholastic Philosophy (1995), has graduated with the degree of Doctor of Ministry from Bangor University, Wales.
Peter Aquino, MB BCh BAO 1994, took postgraduate degrees at Oxford and Cambridge and worked as a GP in London for five years. He now works as an epidemiologist on the East Coast, USA and is a visiting professor in evidence based medicine. He married Ana in 2005. Peter can be contacted at peteraquino17@hotmail.com.
Fergal Gavin, MSc 1994, with wife Tanja, has become a proud (but sleep-starved) new parent to baby Ben on Christmas day 2007. He has received a promotion to commodity manager and key account manager at the aerostructure procurement department of AIRBUS. Fergal can be contacted at fergal.gavin@airbus.com.
Declan McBennett, BA History and Politics (1994), has recently taken up the role of RTÉ Head of Sport. The County Monaghan-born graduate now has responsibility for the national public service broadcaster’s entire sporting output and a team of 55. Declan, who has 19 years of experience across RTÉ both in news and sport, started his career in Northern Sound Radio in County Monaghan. After joining RTÉ in 1999 he spent seven years in the Belfast Office feeding into programmes such as Morning Ireland and News at One.
Dawn Yardley, BSc Computer Science and Psychology 1994, got married in 2002 and has a beautiful 2-year old son, Sam. She is working as cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic Airways. Dawn can be contacted at dawnyardley@mac.com.
Daragh Carter, BSc Psychology 1993, is practicing as a trial attorney in Houston, Texas. He is married to Amy, with a son named Merce who will be 3 in October, a daughter Elizabeth who is 1 in December and a surprise on the way in March! Daragh can be contacted at djmcarter@aol.com.
Earlier this year she won a Bronze prize in The Feathered Quill Book Awards (2019 - US) for her fictional novel The Training Ground.
This story is set during World War II and revolves around a collaboration between G2 (Irish Military Intelligence) and the British Secret Service on a mission to supposedly neutral Spain, to retrieve armaments from the German Embassy in Madrid.
Angela Currie, BSSc (1993), has turned to writing literary fiction following various careers (including nursing and clinical research) since graduating.
Earlier this year she won a Bronze prize in The Feathered Quill Book Awards (2019 - US) for her fictional novel The Training Ground.
This story is set during World War II and revolves around a collaboration between G2 (Irish Military Intelligence) and the British Secret Service on a mission to supposedly neutral Spain, to retrieve armaments from the German Embassy in Madrid. (updated 30 October 2019)
BSSc (1993), has turned to writing literary fiction following various careers (including nursing and clinical research) since graduating.
Earlier this year she won a Bronze prize in The Feathered Quill Book Awards (2019 - US) for her fictional novel The Training Ground.
This story is set during World War II and revolves around a collaboration between G2 (Irish Military Intelligence) and the British Secret Service on a mission to supposedly neutral Spain, to retrieve armaments from the German Embassy in Madrid.
Earlier this year she won a Bronze prize in The Feathered Quill Book Awards (2019 - US) for her fictional novel The Training Ground.
This story is set during World War II and revolves around a collaboration between G2 (Irish Military Intelligence) and the British Secret Service on a mission to supposedly neutral Spain, to retrieve armaments from the German Embassy in Madrid.
Earlier this year she won a Bronze prize in The Feathered Quill Book Awards (2019 - US) for her fictional novel The Training Ground.
This story is set during World War II and revolves around a collaboration between G2 (Irish Military Intelligence) and the British Secret Service on a mission to supposedly neutral Spain, to retrieve armaments from the German Embassy in Madrid.
Josephine Crilly, BA Social Anthropology 1993, MA 2004, was awarded the Age Concern Inspirational Older People Award (IOPA) for Outstanding Achievement in Education at a lavish ceremony in the Hilton Hotel on 6 June 2008 hosted by George Jones. In addition to her commitment to lifelong learning she is very active in a wide range of voluntary organisations in her local area and is the current Chair of the Sports Advisory Committee of Newry & Mourne District Council.
Anthony Patrick Davey, BA Politics and English (1993), was appointed CEO of Farrow & Ball – the world-famous paint and wallpaper maker based in Dorset – and took up his new role at the end of April. Born and raised in Belfast, Anthony married fellow Queen’s graduate Alana Jackman (BMedSci) who graduated the same year. He has lived and worked in the US, Europe and Asia and holds US and European citizenship. From 1995-2014 he worked for Proctor & Gamble, holding a variety of posts, including Vice President and General Manager (2011-14), before taking over as CEO of GHD (Good Hair Day), manufacturer of hair straightening products.
Conall Dempsey, BSc Accounting 1993, is a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Based in the United States, Conall is completing a four-year secondment to PwC's Korean firm in Seoul and is due to repatriate back to the US in 2009 to rejoin his partners in the firm’s assurance practice in New York. Conall is married to Caroline and has two young children, Niamh and Aidan. He can be contacted at conall.dempsey@us.pwc.com.
David Fletcher, BSc Accounting 1993, is currently Finance Director at Astus UK Ltd, London. He is married to Annette, with a two-year old daughter, Erin. David can be contacted at davxfletch@aol.com.
Aaron McCormack, MEng Electrical &Electronic Engineering 1993, has been selected as a member of the Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum. He can be contacted at aaron.mccormack@bt.com.
Caroline F McGovern, BA Sociology (1993), has been appointed as Fundraising Officer for Allergy UK.
Sean McLoughlin, BSc Accounting 1993, has this month been named as one of the 45 emerging leaders under 45 by the pharmaceutical industry's leading magazine, Pharmaceutical Executive. Sean can be contacted at Sean.X.Mcloughlin@gsk.com. (updated 30 October 2019)
Samuel Burns, BSc Computer Science 1992, worked in the software industry as a software developer at Kainos Software Ltd and its sister company Meridio Ltd for ten years. He moved to the United States almost six years ago and works for a company called McKesson Automation - part of a Fortune 50 company. He has been very happily married for almost ten years and is now a US citizen living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Samuel can be contacted at samuelburns@comcast.net.
Zara Duffy, BSc Accounting (1992), MAcc (1994) Zara was appointed the first Head of Chartered Accountants Northern Ireland in May 2017 and now represents and manages services for over 4,000 local chartered accountants. Zara previously held the position of Director of Finance and Operations with Employers for Childcare and has significant experience at senior finance director and board level. A Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, she began her career with Price Waterhouse, specialising in small business audit and advisory services.
Christine Chu Jia Huey, BSc Biochemistry 1992, has been appointed Head of Medical Laboratory Technology Service at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Sean Matthews, BA Geography 1992, is currently preparing for overseas deployment with the US Army. Sean can be contacted at sean.matthews@comcast.net.
Michael Montgomery, BA Politics and Modern History 1992, became a father for the first time when his wife Deborah gave birth to Molly in February this year. He works as a Finance Officer in Newtownabbey JBO and enjoys cycling in the Carrick hills to keep fit and clear his head! Michael can be contacted at michael.montgomery1@nissa.gsi.gov.uk.
Sinead Morrin, BEng Chemical and Food Engineering 1992, initially worked for Esso Petroleum in Fawley, Southampton. It was here that she met Mark, a fellow Chemical engineer, and they married in 2000. They have moved on from Southampton via Manchester and are currently on secondment with AstraZeneca in the US. They have two children; Maeve born in 2002, followed by Conor in 2005. They have been in the States nearly a year and are making the most of American life. Sinead can be contacted at sinead.morrin@astrazeneca.com
Dot Adams (née Greer), BSSc Social Anthropology 1991, began working life by teaching Nursery Nurses childcare and sociology at a local further education college and noted the gap in the market for a Nanny Agency in Northern Ireland. She launched the first Agency in the Province and sold it on in 2001. She then became a medical representative for a pharmaceutical company. She was given a public appointment twelve years ago and serves on the Fair Employment and Industrial Tribunals. Dot can be contacted at d.greer1@ntlworld.com.
Andreas Mitrakas, LLM 1991, moved to the post of Head of Administration Department at the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) last year. He recently co-edited the book "Secure eGovernment web services", IGI Publishing, Hershey, PA, 2007. Andreas can be contacted at andreas@mitrakas.com.
Colin Wright, BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1991, married Nichola (MEng, Bradford) this year and they are retiring to sail the oceans of the world. Since graduation Colin has worked in Iceland, Antarctica, the Middle East, America, Canada, France, Sweden and Italy. He has chased seals in Orkney, built transmitters for Amazon river dolphins, worked with the team that discovered the Ozone hole, worked with European space agency (as a test subject!), been an experimental test flight engineer, won a Queens award for technology, and worked in the utilities sector of the FTSE 30! Colin can be contacted at colin@yachtemerald.com.
Mark Gillan, BEng Aeronautical Engineering 1990, PhD 1993, is currently Head of Aerodynamics for the German based Toyota Formula One Team, following posts as a lecturer in Aeronautics at Queens, Principal Aerodynamicist at the McLaren F1 Team, Chief Race Engineer at Jaguar F1 and the Sir George Edwards Chair in Aerospace Engineering at Surrey University. He is married to Dominique who graduated from Law at Queens and who is a Barrister in Surrey's Guildford Chambers. They have a son, Alexander, who is two years old. Mark can be contacted at mark.gillan@toyota-f1.com.
Pat King, BEng Civil Engineering 1990, has worked on various projects in Ireland and aboard. Pat is currently working in the pharmaceutical industry as a Project Manager. He would like to hear how fellow graduates are getting on and perhaps meet up for a round of golf! Pat can be contacted at pandsking@eircom.net.
Mark McCadden, BSSc 1990, spent nine years as a primary school teacher, and four years as a national strategy consultant for maths teaching. He is currently the West Sussex maths adviser, responsible for improving standards of maths education across 240 primary schools. He lives in sunny Bognor Regis and is married with two children, aged 11 and 9. Mark can be contacted at mark.mccadden@tiscali.co.uk.
Joan McCoy, BSc Architecture 1990, won the Best Woman Architect at the European Women in Construction and Engineering Awards 2015 in May. Joan is a Director of White Ink Architects in Belfast and has been involved, among other key projects, in ongoing upgrades to the 24 VIP suites and the creation of a new shared hospitality area the ‘Electric Lounge’ in the landmark Odyssey (now SSE) Arena.
Bernie McGill, BA Italian and English (1990), MA Irish Writing (1991), had her latest novel – The Watch House – published by Tinder Press in August. Set on Rathlin Island at the end of the 19th century, the story occurs at the time of the Marconi wireless experiments between there and Ballycastle. Born in County Derry but now living in Portstewart, Bernie has written for the theatre (The Weather Watchers, The Haunting of Helena Blunden) and has published a short story collection, Sleepwalkers. Her previous novel, The Butterfly Cabinet, was singled out by Julian Fellowes as his Book of the Year in The Guardian. A recipient of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's inaugural ACES (Artists' Career Enhancement Scheme) Award in association with the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's, Bernie has been nominated for numerous awards for her work, and in 2008 Bernie won the Zoetrope: All-Story Short Fiction Award in the USA.
Margery McMahon, BA History and Politics 1990, continued her studies at the University of Glasgow and gained an MPhil and a PhD. Formerly a teacher of history and politics, Margery is now a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education, University of Glasgow, and Head of the Department of Educational Studies. Margery can be contacted at m.mcmahon@educ.gla.ac.uk.