Michelle Hackett

Along with her first class degree, Michelle secured a prestigious internship at Virginia Tech’s MARE Center while studying at University Centre Reaseheath.

One of a growing number of Reaseheath undergraduates to be awarded this British Equestrian Federation opportunity, she spent three months gaining a unique insight into horse and environmental health at the world renown research centre in Virginia, USA.

After graduating she realised that she wanted to work in medical research and found that her equine laboratory and clinical skills were very transferable. She spent 18 months at the Royal Surrey Hospital as a member of the NHS cancer screening team and is now a Research Scientist in Human Medicine for Pro Axsis Ltd in Belfast, specialising in chronic respiratory diseases.

In the future Michelle is considering taking her cancer research still higher by completing a PhD at Queen’s University Belfast.