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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.

Exploring the connection between bipolar disorder, psychosis and childbirth

Exploring the connection between bipolar disorder, psychosis and childbirth

29 November 2021

Professor Ian Jones (MSc 1997) is an Hon. Consultant Psychiatrist and a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) at Cardiff University. His research focuses on bipolar disorder and episodes of postpartum psychosis in bipolar women. Here he explains what bipolar is, how it affects individuals, and why women are more likely to be admitted to hospital after childbirth than at any other time in their lives.

Inspiring the next generation of scientists – For Alumni, By Alumni

Inspiring the next generation of scientists – For Alumni, By Alumni

23 November 2021

Wendy Sadler MBE (BSc 1994) is the founding Director of science made simple – an award-winning social enterprise that offers science shows to schools and families to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. Currently Senior Lecturer in the School of Physics and Astronomy, throughout the pandemic, Wendy has been working on a project called ‘Our Space Our Future’ which aims to increase the number of young people choosing careers in the space industry.

Gwrych Castle: the story behind the new location for I’m a Celebrity

Gwrych Castle: the story behind the new location for I’m a Celebrity

26 October 2021

Mark Baker (MA 2008, PhD 2014) discovered the beauty and complexity of Gwyrch Castle at the age of 11 and has devoted much of his life to protecting and restoring it, as well as publishing his first book about it at the age of 13. Mark describes how the castle not only caught his imagination, but also the eye of ITV producers of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.

The value of a degree in humanities – For Alumni, By Alumni

The value of a degree in humanities – For Alumni, By Alumni

20 October 2021

Tim Edwards (BA 2005, MA 2007) is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, but his career path was far from pre-determined and he had no idea what he wanted to do when he first stepped onto campus as a religion and theology student. He explains how studying a humanities degree opened him up to a wealth of new experiences, a successful career, and life-long confidence in the skills he learned at Cardiff University.

Coming back to Cardiff to help build its future

Coming back to Cardiff to help build its future

28 September 2021

James Kelly (MEng 2017) is an engineering alumnus who went from studying within the University walls, to building brand new ones as a construction manager. He came back between 2019 and 2021 to help construct ‘Abacws’, the new computer science and informatics, and mathematics building. His return to campus was one full of pride, excitement, and challenges.

Meet the Researcher – Oliver Scourfield (BSc 2018, MSc 2020)

Meet the Researcher – Oliver Scourfield (BSc 2018, MSc 2020)

16 September 2021

Oliver Scourfield (BSc 2018, MSc 2020) is a research assistant in the Gallimore/Godkin lab in Cardiff University’s School of Medicine. His research focuses on malignant mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lungs, generally caused by asbestos exposure, which in the majority of cases proves fatal.

£10k bursary in memory of fallen Second World War airman, to support future students

£10k bursary in memory of fallen Second World War airman, to support future students

7 September 2021

Donald Philip Glynn Miller (BSc 1940) graduated as a Bachelor of Science in mining engineering from the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, a founding college of Cardiff University.

The Syrian refugee fundraising to give something back

The Syrian refugee fundraising to give something back

6 September 2021

Naser Sakka (MSc 2019) arrived in the UK in 2015 as a refugee from Syria. Since then, he has made it his mission to do whatever he can to give back to the community that helped him rebuild his life. As well as volunteering with the Welsh Refugee Council and helping local businesses during the pandemic, in 2019 he ran Cardiff Half Marathon, raising money for Cardiff University’s cancer research.

Empowering rural communities through palliative education – For Alumni, By Alumni

Empowering rural communities through palliative education – For Alumni, By Alumni

18 August 2021

Dr Abhijit Dam (MSc 2014) is the Hon. Medical Director at Kosish, the first rural hospice in India since 2005. He pioneered developments in palliative care and created a course for young women in rural communities, teaching them to provide palliative care for the elderly and terminally ill.

The Syrian refugee helping Welsh businesses thrive online

The Syrian refugee helping Welsh businesses thrive online

23 July 2021

Naser Sakka (MSc 2019) is a resilient family man who arrived in the UK in 2015 as a refugee from war-torn Syria. He fell in love with Wales and, after completing a course created for refugees at Cardiff University, went on to gain his masters and started a social enterprise which has helped local businesses, particularly during the pandemic.