Because of you
Because of you, Cardiff University is able to save, change and enrich lives. You are making life-changing research possible and giving students the foundation to flourish.
Because of you, Cardiff University is able to save, change and enrich lives. You are making life-changing research possible and giving students the foundation to flourish.
Whether you have generously:
- made a donation of any size to student support, medical research or another Cardiff project
- joined Cylch Caerdydd
- made the decision to leave a gift to Cardiff in your Will
- fundraised as part of #TeamCardiff
- supported students in their career journeys
- volunteered your time as an Alumni Ambassador
… you have helped to write the stories you are about to read and countless others.
Thank you for making a tangible difference to lives here in Wales and beyond.
Because of you, we’re learning to reactivate the body’s defence mechanisms to prevent pancreatic cancer
Meet Josh D’Ambrogio (Biosciences 2021-) whose PhD has been funded by the charity Amser Justin Time.
"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."
Because of you, talented students can get the best education regardless of their financial situation
Meet Hamda Abdisalam (Mathematics 2023-) who has received a bursary to support her studies.
"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!"
Because of you, students are gaining invaluable experience to help start their careers
Meet Gwion Ifan (BA 2023, Journalism 2023-), recipient of the Dr James Thomas Scholarship set up by a donor in memory of a family member.
"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.
Because of you, we’re trialling new treatments to ease depression in people suffering with Huntington’s disease
Meet Phoebe Norton (MSc 2023, Biosciences 2023-), whose research in the Brain Repair Group has been supported by generous donations.
"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."
Because of you students can benefit from advice, guidance and support for their careers
Meet Justin Ng (Law 2022-) who organised an alumni Careers Talk for the Law Society.
"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."
