Because of you

"My research investigates how obesity affects the ability of the pancreas to protect itself from mutant cells that could become cancerous.

"Our research has already shown that a healthy pancreas has an inbuilt tumour preventative process, but sometimes that mechanism fails, leading to pancreatic cancer.

"We believe obesity is one of the factors that causes this process to fail. Our next step is to fully understand how the body defends against cancer.

"This could then lead to new treatments that reactivate our pancreas’ defence mechanisms and protect against cancer-causing cells at an early stage.

"By understanding how risk factors such as obesity cause cancer, we can also influence policy and cancer prevention strategies in the future.

"Our work simply can’t happen without the people that support us."

"I wanted to study chemistry to help combat climate change and find solutions to rising CO2 levels. The catalysis research at Cardiff University is an amazing context for this.

"I don’t want my education to be limited by money, but the general costs of university add up.

"My family can’t support me financially due to personal circumstances - I don’t have that backup where others do if they’re desperate.

"I work part-time at a supermarket, but working any more hours than I already do would affect my studies, as well as my general mental and physical health.

"I’m massively grateful for this bursary. I hugely appreciate it - it’s so selfless, giving money to people like me who need financial help.

"It has, and will, help me as I walk into the next phase of my life. I’m now pursuing a PhD!"

"The opportunities I’ve had throughout my degree have been second to none.

"I had the chance to interview Channel 4’s Ciaran Jenkins and BBC Radio 1’s Steffan Powell (LLB 2008, PgDip 2009) for the School of Journalism’s Welsh language podcast.

"I also had the immeasurable experience of reporting from the Eisteddfod as part of the Llais y Maes scheme and working for nearly two weeks at the Hay Festival.

"As for the generous funding I’ve received to help me complete my master’s in Journalism, I cannot overstate my thanks. It’s recognition for my hard work over the past three years.

"It will help me pursue my passion of reporting and presenting and allow me to achieve my dream of being in, and around, the world of radio. It’s the perfect confidence boost going into my fourth year at Cardiff, and for that I am extremely grateful.

"Bowel cancer is common in the UK. Treatment usually involves surgery where the cancer is removed, and the two ends of bowel are joined back together to restore normal function.

"However, this carries a risk of a leak which occurs in 10-20% of patients. When this happens, bowel contents escape into the abdomen, requiring emergency surgery, leading to a longer and more difficult recovery.

"Signs of a leak are usually identified 3-5 days after surgery. At this point, the patient is very unwell, resulting in further complications and even death.

"My research looks at testing the fluid that is routinely drained and disposed of during patient recovery. This fluid could show biomarkers that indicate a leak, before patients become unwell, so doctors can salvage the join - aiding faster recovery and better quality of life for the patient.

"Because of this incredibly generous gift, my research could improve outcomes for people with colorectal cancer."

"My research is trialling new drugs to help alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with Huntington’s disease.

"This is a genetic, degenerative condition that affects the body’s nervous system.

"Symptoms develop between the ages of 30-50 and are progressive, affecting patient’s movements, cognition and their mental health.

"While the physical deterioration caused by the disease is debilitating, patients find the mental health symptoms – and the significant knock-on effects for their friends and family – particularly challenging to live with.

"Current treatments are generalised and have many side effects including fatigue.

"I am working with a new group of drugs developed by the Medical Discovery Institute at the University, which target specific GABA receptors in the brain without causing a sedative effect.

"By identifying the correct drugs and dosage, we could massively improve the quality of life for people living with this difficult disease."

"As Careers Liaison for the student Law Society, I saw an opportunity to learn more about competition law, and invited alumnus Charles Whiddington (LLB 1979) to talk to us.

"Charles is a great speaker who fought his way to the very top of his field, and his advice was definitely of the highest merit.  

"Alumni play a pivotal role in building confidence in students; we often underestimate what we are capable of after graduation.

"Attending Charles’ talk has helped me in more ways than I can list, but the most prominent is solidifying my decision to pursue a career in competition law.  

"Alumni can inspire and reassure students who may be navigating an anxious and stressful time in their lives. The alumni network is what makes university great.

"The ability to connect to people of ranging careers and walks of life, all sharing one common denominator, is so important."