Student stories

Contributing knowledge to an area which is completely new is hugely exciting and rewarding.

I’m investigating sleep in a rural South African community to identify if there’s a relationship between sleep health and HIV infection, in collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand.

My project aims to evaluate the existence of a circadian clock in vascular pericytes, mural cells whose role is to support and enhance vascular function of endothelial cells in capillaries.

My PhD has allowed me to visit countries endemic for rabies, meet those most at risk of exposure to the disease, and hear first-hand about the socioeconomic constraints and challenges that face these communities.

I’m investigating the cause and pathobiology of Alabama rot, a disease that damages dogs' skin and kidney blood vessels. To do this, I’m gathering microbiological, clinical pathology and metabolite data.

As PhD students, we are trained to question the boundaries, push them further and improve on the knowledge that is already out there.

My proudest achievement is probably my first new result. It’s amazing to have produced something that is new to science.