Profile
Norah Patten
Curriculum Vitae
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Work History:
I’ve lectured engineering at University of Limerick and worked in a technology centre called the Irish Centre for Composites Research
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Current Job:
Founder
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Employer:
Planet Zebunar
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About Me: I’ve been space mad since a NASA trip at the age of 11.
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I’m currently living in Dublin, originally from Mayo, and have always loved to travel. I had lots of great opportunities over the past few years to see different parts of the world. When I was studying in university, I got the opportunity to intern at the Boeing Company live in Seattle, Washington, USA for 8 months. I had always looking out for space related opportunities and in 2010 attended the Space Studies Program in Strasbourg France. I made some great friends there and have stayed in contact with many of them.
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My Work: I run a start-up company in Ireland and I’m also a faculty member at International Space University
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At the International Space University, I’m involved with the Space Studies Program. This summer it will be hosted in CIT Cork, which is fantastic for Ireland. I’m co-chairing a Team Project with Gary Martin who works for NASA Ames in California. My day job in Ireland is running a start-up company and we are preparing to launch a new range of new space themed products for children in summer 2017- called Planet Zebunar. I was a participant on the New Frontiers Program for Entrepreneurs last year so that was great to learn about the different elements of running a company and also to meet other entrepreneurs who are working on their ideas.
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My Typical Day: No such thing as a typical day – that is one element of starting a company that I like!
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What I'd do with the money: I’d organise a Planet Zebunar party during the Space Studies Program in Cork.
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I’d organise a Planet Zebunar outreach event to showcase some of the awesome opportunities people have while working in the space sector.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Determined, outgoing, curious
What's the best thing you've done in your career?
Sent an experiment to the International Space Station
What or who inspired you to follow your career?
NASA visit when I was 11
What did you want to be after you left school?
An astronaut
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not that I remember
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
An astronaut!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Kodaline
What's your favourite food?
I love lots of different types of food
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Too many to choose just one thing!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Successfully get my new Planet Zebunar products to market, send another experiment to the ISS and go to space myself.
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