Rhea Suckley

Rhea graduated from the School of Chemistry in 2020 with a undergraduate BSc degree in Medicinal Chemistry. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Physician Associate Studies at Edge Hill University in Lancashire.

Undergraduate life at Leeds

Rhea chose to study Medicinal Chemistry because she had a passion to learn more about drug synthesis, pharmacology and how drugs work in biological systems. She said, “I chose the study at the University of Leeds as I loved both the campus and the city. It was also an additional benefit the Medicinal Chemistry degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, giving me the industry recognised qualification needed to pursue a career in the sector.”

It was also an additional benefit the Medicinal Chemistry degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, giving me the industry recognised qualification needed to pursue a career in the sector.

The best aspects of my course was the opportunity to take up discovery modules and the range of optional modules that was available to me. The discovery modules reinforced the value and interest of my degree by offering the opportunity to broaden my learning and expand my intellectual horizons outside my subject area.”

“Apart from my studies, I also took part in many extra-curricular activities, such as swimming and water-polo, and a member of RAG Society. RAG is a student-led fundraising society that have raised over £1,000,000 in the last decade for a huge range of local, national and international charities. It was such a great society to be involved in as it provided many volunteering oppportunities. One of my most memorable experience was when I went on a self-funded project to Uganda with 11 other students. Collectively, we raised £10,000 to contribute towards the renovation of a rural primary school, to improve the learning facilities for children.”

It (RAG) was such a great society to be involved in as it provided many volunteering opportunities.

Life after Leeds

“I took a year out after graduating from Leeds. I worked to save money towards furthering my studies where I am currently pursuing a Masters degree in Physician Associate Studies at Edge Hill University.

Physician associates provide patient care under the direct supervision of a doctor. They have responsibility for interviewing and examining patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and making decisions about patient management and therapy. Completion of the course will provide me with the skills and knowledge to become an effective practitioner in this innovative professional healthcare role. I am currently being taught through educational and clinical placements which enables me to gain expertise in medical history taking, clinical examinations, analysing test results, clinical reasoning and diagnosis, and the development of evidence-based patient management plans.”

Completion of the course will provide me with the skills and knowledge to become an effective practitioner in this innovative professional healthcare role.

Advice

“Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, try something new by getting involved in a new society. Making friends through societies is a great way to expand your social and support network throughout your degree.”

Find out more 

Discover more about our Undergraduate degree courses in the School of Chemistry.