Features

Cardiff Connect March 2026

The March edition of Cardiff Connect – the University's monthly alumni e-newsletter.

A group of young students sat down talking

Making a career in law accessible

For many young people, a university degree – let alone a career in law – can feel out of reach. Too often, the profession is perceived as exclusive, expensive, or reserved for those with family connections. The Sutton Trust is working to change that.

Ask the expert: Navigating the university application journey

Iwan Hopkins (BA 2009) shares how families can best support young people applying and preparing for university.

Sketching a language

As a professional illustrator, part-time teacher, and the creative mind behind Sketchy Welsh, Josh Morgan (BA 2011) is giving the Welsh language a unique artistic voice.

Putting Welsh music on the global stage

David John Roche (BMus 2012) is a musician and composer from Tredegar in south Wales who has built an international career showcasing music shaped by where he grew up.

A legacy of opportunity

Alumna Audrey Long (BSc 1987) remembers her Cardiff days with immense fondness and credits much of her success since graduating to the support she received from peers and lecturers during her degree.

Turning his passion into their potential

A bursary at Cardiff University is supporting the next generation of doctors in memory of a distinguished surgeon and rugby legend.

Changing the future of kidney disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects more than 10% of adults worldwide – it’s hard to detect and diagnose until its later stage, known as kidney failure.

Cardiff Connect - February 2026

The February 2026 edition of Cardiff Connect.

Treating cancer with Salmonella

Alex is developing bacteria to reveal cancerous tumours and activate the immune system in order to treat and remove cancer.

Silencing the messenger in Huntington’s disease

Fundraisers and donors support neuroscience and mental health researchers as they seek to improve diagnoses and treatments for a wide range of neurological conditions.

Giving a new focus to MND research

Fundraisers and donors to neuroscience and mental health are enabling Cardiff University researchers to study otherwise overlooked facets of disease.

30(ish) Awards 2025

Read the stories of the 30(ish) winners who make up our final 2025 list of change-makers, innovators, and rule-breakers from the Cardiff University alumni community.

Celebrating 10 years of our giving community

2025 marks 10 years of Cylch Caerdydd – our global community of supporters who are connected by their vision to create long-lasting, meaningful change.

Joining forces: combining expertise to stop cancer growth

Loren and Saul are two early-career researchers bringing their skills and experience together to develop a new treatment for Glioblastoma.

Building strength, breaking barriers, and inspiring women in Pakistan

Roha Nadeem (MA 2022) is a sports presenter and broadcaster from Pakistan. She has built a high-profile career in an industry historically dominated by men.

One man’s dream, now a reality for Cardiff University students

100 years after James Mason’s birth, a bursary established in his name is giving Welsh STEM students the opportunity to thrive in their degrees and beyond.

Cardiff University has always been fuelled by books

To mark 50 years of the Arts and Social Studies Library, Sara Huws reflects on the history of our earliest collections and explores how our libraries have shaped, and been shaped by, the University community.

From Pokémon to polar explorer

Polar explorer Prem Gill (BSc 2017) is passionate about outreach, climate change, and Antarctic seals.

“I’ve come full circle back to Cardiff”

Returning to Cardiff University to teach inspired Jo to leave a gift in her Will to provide financial support to Cardiff University students.

A legacy of care

Graham established the Christine Davis Memorial Prize. Each year, the prize is awarded to a student at the School of Pharmacy in recognition of their achievements.

Studying stem cells to better understand Dystonia

Laura Abram (Medicine 2023-) is looking into Dystonia, a neurological condition which causes uncontrollable muscle spasms and is estimated to affect 100,000 people in the UK.

Impact Report 2023/24

Read more about the researchers and students that you’ve helped to support. Their stories highlight the work that’s being done to save and change lives in Wales and beyond, and prepare the next generation of students for life after Cardiff.

30(ish) Awards 2024

Read the stories of the 30(ish) winners who make up our final 2024 list of change-makers, innovators, and rule-breakers from the Cardiff University alumni community.

Because of You 2024

Read the stories of the students and researchers supported by gifts and volunteering this year.

Cheers to the Students’ Union at 50

In the heart of Cardiff stands a beacon of time, the Cardiff University Students' Union. Its bricks and mortar are a testament to half a century of laughter, camaraderie, and shared experiences.

A self-cleaning product that could mean safer periods for all

Dr Jennifer Edwards (BSc 2003, PhD 2007) and Dr Michael Pascoe (PhD 2020) are developing a self-cleaning period product that could ensure safer periods for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Helping postgraduate students to prosper

Mushtaq Karimjee (BSc 1971) founded the Fanaka Scholarship which supports students from his home country of Tanzania to complete a postgraduate degree at Cardiff University.

Ask the expert: Wills, inheritance tax, and estate planning

Alumna Laura Ikin (LLB 2006, PgDip 2007) shares her most frequently asked Wills, trusts, inheritance tax, and estate planning questions.

Curbing the spread of tuberculosis

Dr Tamas Barry (MBBCh 2020, PhD Medicine 2022-) is helping to improve tuberculosis diagnosis and care for future generations.

Giving future archaeology students the best opportunities

Julia Wise (BA 1986) is helping to ensure the next generation of archaeologists can study at Cardiff, free from the pressure of financial worries.

Welsh surgeon’s legacy lives on, empowering the next generation of Cardiff medical students

Dr John Thomas’ passion for medicine and for making education accessible inspired his family to establish the Dr John Thomas Bursary.

The Music alum inspiring the next generation of young artists 

Guy Verrall-Withers (BMus 2013) is introducing opera to new audiences and giving young artists a platform to succeed. 

Turning pain into purpose: a vision of accessible eyecare for all

Lucky Aziken (MSc 2023) is delivering affordable and sustainable eyecare services in Nigeria and Malawi.

Knowing what you want to be when you grow up – Bossing It

‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ A question that most of us are asked when we are younger, but while some fulfil their childhood aspirations, others may still be looking for their dream role deep into adulthood and that shouldn’t be a taboo! We spoke to some of our incredible alumni about this age-old question.

Impact Report 2022/23

30(ish) Awards 2023

Read the stories of the 30(ish) winners who make up our final 2023 list of change-makers, innovators, and rule-breakers from the Cardiff University alumni community.

Changing the future of ICU patient care

Dr Samyakh Tukra (MEng 2017) is the founder and CEO of Third Eye Intelligence, which has developed a unique and powerful artificial intelligence (AI). The system gives Intensive Care Unit (ICU) clinicians an early warning of when a patient will develop organ failure.

Championing positive change to mental health in the Muslim community

Jamilla Hekmoun (MA 2018) is chair of the Muslim Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), and spent the pandemic working tirelessly to provide resources and support to the Muslim community. She also sits on the board of the Muslim Council of Wales and leads community engagement for SEF Cymru. We spoke to Jamilla about her time at Cardiff University and the important work she does in the community.

The Cardiff graduate ‘shooting for the stars’

Dr Jenifer Millard (MPhys 2016, PhD 2021) is a science communicator specialising in astronomy. Her work as host of the Awesome Astronomy podcast and talent for sharing her passion, has rocketed her career into TV and radio. We talked to her about her time at Cardiff and how a girl from Barry is inspiring the next generation of women in STEM.

The anonymous donation that changed the trajectory of a family’s life

David shares his father’s story and explains how an anonymous benefactor started their family’s journey to Cardiff University.

Improving our understanding of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Elle Mawson (Medicine 2021-) is a researcher in the Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute. Inspired by a family member’s struggle, her work is improving our understanding of what’s happening in the brains of patients with psychoses.

Inspiring the next generation of law students

Nneka Akudolu (LLB 2001, PgDip 2002, Hon 2023) was sworn in as a King’s Counsel in 2022, joining a select group of law practitioners appointed by the monarch. As a KC specialising in criminal law, Nneka works on the most serious cases that are dealt with in the Crown and Appellate courts, and is one of only seven Black female KCs in the UK.

Javi, wearing red doctoral robes, sits on a Cardiff street reading a letter

Javi’s Legacy

Javi Uceda Fernandez (PhD 2018) came to Cardiff University in the summer of 2013 on a placement to Professor Simon Jones’ laboratory at the Systems Immunity Research Institute. His incredible energy, constant positivity, and bright outlook meant he was a hugely popular member of the institute.

A man is rubbing the knuckles of his right hand.

Ask the expert: Arthritis

Around 10 million people in the UK struggle with arthritis which can impact mobility, quality of life and cause chronic pain. Professor Simon Jones, Co-Director of the Systems Immunity Research Institute at the School of Medicine, explains what causes arthritis and the ground-breaking research taking place in Cardiff.

The red brick front of Aberdare Hall viewed from behind some blossoming plants. The plants are in soft focus.