Cardiff Day success as supporters go head-to-head!

Nearly 80 Cardiff University supporters and friends joined with the University’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan for this year’s ‘Cardiff Day’.

Brain Wars

Guests were invited to test their brainpower by going head-to-head in a ‘Brain Wars’ competition at the annual event, which is organised to celebrate and thank those who give philanthropic support to Cardiff University and hosted at the flagship Hadyn Ellis Building.

The challenge saw two delegates at a time battling it out at the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute’s information stand in a bid to levitate a foam ball using only the power of their minds!

The Brain Wars game features two battery-powered headsets worn by participants which contain sensors that monitor both brain activity and the wearer’s pulse – the more complicated the user’s thoughts, the higher the ball will levitate.

Visitors were also able to experience the ‘Ghost Hand’ mind trick conducted by Early Career Research Fellow Nick Clifton at the stand. Paintbrushes and mirrors are used to deceive the participant’s brain into believing a different hand is experiencing the sense of touch.

'Wonderful supporters'

Representatives from other University divisions, including staff from the cancer research teams, also turned out to engage the delegates in a range of thought-provoking activities.

In addition to expert talks and information stands hosted by various departments, donors enjoyed afternoon tea and music from the Miskin String Quartet, which features three Cardiff University alumni.

Speaking about Cardiff Day, Legacy Officer Alice Sockett said: “Without the invaluable contributions of our wonderful supporters, we could not develop our pioneering research and potentially life-changing treatments for our patients.