Nabila Ali’s PhD journey

Nabila Ali recently graduated with a PhD. Her thesis was on the role of rare genetic variants in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. She chose this field because she has always been interested in exploring the role of genetics in autism.

She is currently a research associate with the Copy Number Variant’s team in the University’s Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics in the Division and Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences.

 I have always believed in the saying: “A dream remains a dream until you take action to make it a reality.” Ever since I completed my bachelor’s medical degree, I have been inspired to pursue doctoral studies. The idea of engaging in thorough scholarly research, making substantial contributions to science, and embarking on a journey of intellectual enrichment and exploration has been the driving force behind my ambitions. For around 5 years, I applied to various PhD programs without success. However, this setback did not discourage me. Instead, I started exploring alternative approaches to achieve my goal.

In 2018, I reached out to professors engaged in neuropsychiatric research, expressing my sincere passion for pursuing a PhD. Just before the end of the year, I received an encouraging email from the person who would later become my PhD supervisor. In September 2019, I walked into the Hadyn Ellis building for the first time, officially joining the Division of Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics at Cardiff University. Thus began a challenging journey that proved to be tougher than I ever expected, with no foreseeable end in sight.

Irrespective of one’s academic background, pursuing a PhD is a demanding endeavour that entails continuous learning and growth. The key to persevering lies in finding joy in the process rather than succumbing to stress. Initially, I was overwhelmed and always striving for perfection, oblivious to my own shortcomings and viewing missteps as failures. However, by the end of the first year, I realised that this approach was detrimental to my well-being. I began to prioritise self-care, accept my mistakes as a natural part of learning, acknowledge my limitations, and seek help when needed. It was at this point that my perspective shifted, and I truly began to find fulfilment in my work.

My journey through the PhD programme has been uniquely challenging. The COVID-19 pandemic began a few months into my first year, and I found myself adapting to the changing world as an international student and a mother of two young children, both under 6. Each day brought new uncertainties about how life would unfold, let alone a PhD. The constraints of the pandemic meant that my PhD had to take a different course, and I needed to figure out with my supervisors how to develop new plans. Despite all these challenges, I was filled with hope and determination. Unexpectedly, the lockdown period, although difficult, turned out to be one of the most transformative times of my life. I learned the importance of not taking anything for granted and embraced a flexible mindset, viewing each obstacle as an opportunity for personal growth.

As I reached the final year of my studies, I found myself fully engaged in the challenging task of finalizing my work and articulating my findings. This period coincided with one of the most arduous and trying times of my life as I observed my beloved homeland being torn apart by the ravages of civil war. I had the option of either persevering with what I had started or succumbing to despair and sadness. I chose the former, keeping my dream in front of my eyes, and worked harder. Ultimately, I managed to complete my PhD before my deadlines. In my ongoing academic pursuit, I was excited to secure a research associate position that enabled me to continue my PhD research and broaden my knowledge in the engaging field of neuropsychiatric genetics. As a former PhD student and current research associate at Cardiff University, I want to extend my thanks to everyone who has been a part of my journey.

I believe that every doctoral student must find a way to incorporate their PhD studies into their daily life without letting it overshadow everything else. It’s essential to take pride in small victories and use setbacks as learning opportunities in order to navigate this phase successfully. When unexpected hurdles come up, it’s important to remind ourselves of the reasons we embarked on this journey. Surrounding ourselves with supportive and caring individuals and taking moments to pause and reflect on our path will help us regain our balance during overwhelming times. While the PhD programme itself will eventually come to a close, the experiences and knowledge gained will leave a lasting impact. Therefore, it’s crucial to appreciate and treasure every step of this journey.