Alumni Stories

From surgeon to tech CEO: why I pivoted my career to help save the NHS – For Alumni, By Alumni

Posted on 20 April 2022 by Alumni team

Dr Owain Rhys Hughes (MBBCh 2005) is an ENT surgeon and successful healthtech entrepreneur, whose initiative Cinapsis is helping tackle the current NHS backlog crisis and reduce burnout across the healthcare workforce. He shares his experience of pivoting a career, the importance of collaboration and how making real change is possible.

Meet the Volunteer – Audrey Long (BSc 1987)

Posted on 15 March 2022 by Alumni team

Audrey Long (BSc 1987), has more than 25 years of professional experience in life science marketing and business development across the world, and has just started her second year as a mentor for Cardiff’s Womentoring programme, offering her advice and support to early-career female graduates.

How we can eat our way to a healthier planet – For Alumni, By Alumni

Posted on 15 March 2022 by Alumni team

Steve Garret (MSc 2009) is the Founder of Riverside Real Food, weekly food markets that promote fresh, sustainable and local food. Steve is a passionate food activist and an award-winning social entrepreneur. Here, he explains why it’s important to eat locally and the benefits of shopping at local farmers’ markets.

Improving prostate cancer diagnosis with a simple blood test

Posted on 10 March 2022 by Anna Garton

Professor Aled Clayton (BSc 1993, PhD 1997) is based in Cardiff University’s School of Medicine and the Wales Cancer Research Centre. His research team, the Tissue Microenvironment Group, is a collection of dedicated and diverse researchers who aim to unlock vital information that will improve the way we diagnose and treat prostate cancer.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and the importance of endocrine research

Posted on 16 February 2022 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Professor Aled Rees (MBBCh 1993, PhD 2002) has dedicated his life to endocrinology – one of the lesser-known areas of research that impacts us all. Here he explains what endocrinology is, why it’s important, and how his research looks at the long-term health conditions associated with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Let’s talk about global polarisation: For Alumni, By Alumni

Posted on 15 February 2022 by Alumni team

Alexandra Chesterfield (BA 2003 and PGDip 2004) applies behavioural science to her work, to improve outcomes for individuals, organisations and societies. She works as the Head of Behavioural Risk at a successful bank and teaches as a guest lecturer at Jesus College Cambridge. Alexandra’s new podcast, Changed My Mind, and her book, Poles Apart, both examine and address the increasing polarisation occurring across the globe. Here she explains why this is such an important topic, and why now more than ever, is the time to talk about it.

Cardiff Half Marathon: A perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day

Posted on 15 February 2022 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Kate Morgan (BA 2017, MA 2020) is running her first half marathon in March 2022 to raise money for Cardiff’s Neuroscience and Mental Health research. It’s not been the easiest time to train, and Kate explains what motivates her and how she’s done her best to stay on target throughout lockdowns, restrictions and delays.

From midwife to radio presenter – For Alumni, By Alumni

Posted on 24 January 2022 by Alumni team

Lizzie Romain (BMid 2014) is a midwife at a private maternity hospital in London, but she’s always battled to balance her midwifery career with her more creative side. Just before lockdown in March 2020, she joined her local community radio station in West London and is taking the leap in 2022 and transitioning into a full-time career in broadcast.

Cardiff community recognised in New Year’s Honours 2022

Posted on 17 January 2022 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

The Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for 2022 recognises the outstanding achievements of many members of the Cardiff University community.

Lockdown runner takes on first half marathon

Posted on 29 November 2021 by Alumni team

Mark Woolner (BScEcon 1995) took up running during the first UK lockdown and is returning to Cardiff nearly 30 years after graduating, to take on Cardiff Half Marathon in 2022. He shares his motivation, inspiration and what he’s looking forward to on race day.

Exploring the connection between bipolar disorder, psychosis and childbirth

Posted on 29 November 2021 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Professor Ian Jones (MSc 1997) is an Hon. Consultant Psychiatrist and a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) at Cardiff University. His research focuses on bipolar disorder and episodes of postpartum psychosis in bipolar women. Here he explains what bipolar is, how it affects individuals, and why women are more likely to be admitted to hospital after childbirth than at any other time in their lives.

Inspiring the next generation of scientists – For Alumni, By Alumni

Posted on 23 November 2021 by Alumni team

Wendy Sadler MBE (BSc 1994) is the founding Director of science made simple – an award-winning social enterprise that offers science shows to schools and families to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. Currently Senior Lecturer in the School of Physics and Astronomy, throughout the pandemic, Wendy has been working on a project called ‘Our Space Our Future’ which aims to increase the number of young people choosing careers in the space industry.

Gwrych Castle: the story behind the new location for I’m a Celebrity

Posted on 26 October 2021 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Mark Baker (MA 2008, PhD 2014) discovered the beauty and complexity of Gwyrch Castle at the age of 11 and has devoted much of his life to protecting and restoring it, as well as publishing his first book about it at the age of 13. Mark describes how the castle not only caught his imagination, but also the eye of ITV producers of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.

The value of a degree in humanities – For Alumni, By Alumni

Posted on 20 October 2021 by Alumni team

Tim Edwards (BA 2005, MA 2007) is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, but his career path was far from pre-determined and he had no idea what he wanted to do when he first stepped onto campus as a religion and theology student. He explains how studying a humanities degree opened him up to a wealth of new experiences, a successful career, and life-long confidence in the skills he learned at Cardiff University.

Coming back to Cardiff to help build its future

Posted on 28 September 2021 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

James Kelly (MEng 2017) is an engineering alumnus who went from studying within the University walls, to building brand new ones as a construction manager. He came back between 2019 and 2021 to help construct ‘Abacws’, the new computer science and informatics, and mathematics building. His return to campus was one full of pride, excitement, and challenges.

Meet the Researcher – Oliver Scourfield (BSc 2018, MSc 2020)

Posted on 16 September 2021 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Oliver Scourfield (BSc 2018, MSc 2020) is a research assistant in the Gallimore/Godkin lab in Cardiff University’s School of Medicine. His research focuses on malignant mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lungs, generally caused by asbestos exposure, which in the majority of cases proves fatal.

£10k bursary in memory of fallen Second World War airman, to support future students

Posted on 7 September 2021 by Alumni team

Donald Philip Glynn Miller (BSc 1940) graduated as a Bachelor of Science in mining engineering from the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, a founding college of Cardiff University.

The Syrian refugee fundraising to give something back

Posted on 6 September 2021 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Naser Sakka (MSc 2019) arrived in the UK in 2015 as a refugee from Syria. Since then, he has made it his mission to do whatever he can to give back to the community that helped him rebuild his life. As well as volunteering with the Welsh Refugee Council and helping local businesses during the pandemic, in 2019 he ran Cardiff Half Marathon, raising money for Cardiff University’s cancer research.

Empowering rural communities through palliative education – For Alumni, By Alumni

Posted on 18 August 2021 by Alumni team

Dr Abhijit Dam (MSc 2014) is the Hon. Medical Director at Kosish, the first rural hospice in India since 2005. He pioneered developments in palliative care and created a course for young women in rural communities, teaching them to provide palliative care for the elderly and terminally ill.

The Syrian refugee helping Welsh businesses thrive online

Posted on 23 July 2021 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Naser Sakka (MSc 2019) is a resilient family man who arrived in the UK in 2015 as a refugee from war-torn Syria. He fell in love with Wales and, after completing a course created for refugees at Cardiff University, went on to gain his masters and started a social enterprise which has helped local businesses, particularly during the pandemic.