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Alumni

Alumni stories

Discover fascinating stories from our alumni community. Read about their impact and achievements, helping to shape the world and the lives of people around them.

Queen’s Birthday Honours – 2022

Queen’s Birthday Honours – 2022

22 June 2022

Members of the Cardiff University alumni community have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Remembering Reesh – saying yes to life and running Cardiff Half Marathon

Remembering Reesh – saying yes to life and running Cardiff Half Marathon

25 May 2022

Laura Stephenson (BA 2008) has signed up to run Cardiff Half Marathon in October in memory of her friend Areesha. She’s raising money for Cardiff University’s cancer research and was inspired by her friend’s strength in the face of a devastating diagnosis, and ‘say yes to everything’ attitude.

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

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

20 April 2022

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)

Meet the Volunteer – Audrey Long (BSc 1987)

15 March 2022

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

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

15 March 2022

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

Improving prostate cancer diagnosis with a simple blood test

10 March 2022

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

Polycystic ovary syndrome and the importance of endocrine research

16 February 2022

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

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

15 February 2022

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

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

15 February 2022

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

From midwife to radio presenter – For Alumni, By Alumni

24 January 2022

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.