From muddy fields of Sylane to tracking the virus behind a pandemic

Endless curiosity, positive female role models and the ability to 'go for it'

ANOTHER pandemic is inevitable, and we need to be ready.

Those aren’t the words that we might want to read as we ease our way out of nearly two years of tough health restrictions. But the words are based on facts and data, much of which a North Galway woman has spent the past few years watching, collating and sharing with scientists and public health staff around the world.

Catherine Ludden grew up on the family farm in Killower in Sylane with mum and dad, May and Danny, and her five siblings. It was an all hands-in and hands-on childhood, with plenty of opportunities for exploring the countryside, its animals and wildlife, and getting her hands and wellies dirty...

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