Zarah completed a B.Sc in Chemistry with French in Dublin City University in 2005. After taking a year off to travel, she returned to Dublin City University to undertake a PhD in nano structured polymeric materials for chromatography and electrophoresis applications under the supervision of Dr. M. Macka and Prof. B. Paull. Wanting to explore more unusual applications of porous materials, in 2010 she joined the chemistry department of the University of Cambridge to work on developing dynamic 3D polymer networks for the conservation of archaeological wooden artefacts. In this project she works closely with the Mary Rose Trust on new conservation materials for King Henry VIII's warship Mary Rose.