Cardiff Connect

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.

Recipes for Success: Red lentil and roasted carrot soup

Posted on 6 April 2022 by Alumni team

Claire Thomson (BA 2001) is a food writer and chef who studied journalism at Cardiff University. She’s written six cookery books and has cooked professionally across the globe. She was keen to share one of her favourite (and thriftiest!) recipes with the Cardiff community.

Your path to career confidence – Bossing It

Posted on 24 March 2022 by Emma Lewis (BA 2017)

In today’s competitive job market and fast-paced world, having self-belief is more important than ever. It can often feel like colleagues, peers, and those we admire from our industries have it in spades, but is that really true? We spoke to some of our successful alumni about career confidence and asked them to share their tips and tricks for feeling fearless and being bold in your career.

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.

#TeamCardiff fundraisers to take on Cardiff Half Marathon

Posted on 14 March 2022 by Anna Garton

At the end of March, #TeamCardiff runners will take part in the postponed Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon to raise money for Cardiff University research. After an 18-month delay due to the pandemic, the 350-strong team of staff, students, alumni and friends are aiming to raise £70,000 for neuroscience and mental health research, and cancer research.

Recipes for Success: Beef with spring veg and mustard

Posted on 14 March 2022 by Alumni team

Tomos Parry (BScEcon 2008), is a multi-award-winning chef who owns a Michelin star restaurant called Brat, which has been named one of the world’s top 100 restaurants. For our Recipes for Success series, Tomos shares the perfect recipe for steak night on a budget.

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.

Recipes for Success: Chocolate, peanut butter and blueberry porridge

Posted on 10 March 2022 by Alumni team

Sarah John (BA 2011) is the founder and director of Boss Brewing, a multi-award-winning brewery. But it's not just beer Sarah's interested in – it's food too! For our Recipes for Success series, she shares her easy, healthy porridge recipe.

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.

Recipes for Success: Welsh rarebit

Posted on 14 February 2022 by Alumni team

Kacie Morgan (BA 2010) is an award-winning food and travel writer, who started her popular food blog, The Rare Welsh Bit, shortly after graduating with a degree in journalism. This is one of her favourite recipes, she loves it so much she even named her blog after it!

Top tips for refreshing your CV – Bossing It

Posted on 26 January 2022 by Kate Morgan (BA 2017)

Whether you’re starting a CV from scratch or revitalising your old one, Cardiff University alumni are here to help. Find out what our experts in the field of recruitment and HR recommend for creating an eye-catching CV in today’s competitive world.

Recipes for Success: Shredded chicken thighs with veg

Posted on 25 January 2022 by Alumni team

Jack Stein (BSc 2004, MA 2006) studied Psychology and Ancient History, but followed his passion (and his father, Rick Stein’s footsteps) into the kitchen, as a successful chef director. As part of our Recipes for Success series, Jack shares his scrummy chicken dish that's perfect for a healthy weekday meal option.

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.

Recipes for Success: Low-fat baked mostaccioli

Posted on 7 January 2022 by Alumni team

Laura Graham (BA 2008) worked as a head chef on private superyachts and is now director and head chef at The Tidy Kitchen. For our 'Recipes for Success' series she shares her recipe for low-fat baked mostaccioli; an inexpensive pasta dish which works perfectly before an evening out, or to refuel post sport event.

Deck the Halls – Cardiff alumni send festive messages to first years

Posted on 8 December 2021 by Anna Garton

Cardiff’s alumni community have reached out to first year students in halls to send them seasonal messages of support and show them that Cardiff is a relationship for life. Alumni […]

Flash mentoring – empowering the next generation of Cardiff alumnae

Posted on 3 December 2021 by Alumni team

Joanna Dougherty (BScEcon 2017) took part in our WoMentoring flash mentoring scheme - short-term mentoring for female graduates from successful alumnae. Our WoMentors provide guidance and support, helping to inspire and empower the next generation of Cardiff alumnae.