This month is about graduates who have made the most of their academic lives at the University and whose professional foundations were laid as students in Edinburgh. Image Rustam Al-Shahi Salman Rustam Al-Shahi Salman’s research led him to Edinburgh mid-career, but he had been longing to move to the city for years before starting his PhD here. Inspired by the expertise at Edinburgh, he is still here today leading vital research into the outcomes for stroke patients. Read Rustam Al-Shahi Salman's profile. My head told me that it was time to move to Edinburgh in the late 1990s, when I was working in London. I had become interested in stroke, and overawed by the enormous global burden caused by the disease, whilst training in Cambridge and working as a junior doctor. Image Sue Djabri Sue Djabri’s involvement in student societies took her to a refugee camp one summer in the 1950s. Since then she has continued to lead an international life and this summer she will return to Edinburgh for Alumni Weekend. Read Sue Djabri's profile. I chose Edinburgh because I wanted to see the city and live away from home – my father was a Professor at Liverpool University so I did not think that it was a good idea to go there. Image Harriet Hoskyns-Abrahall Harriet Hoskyns-Abrahall hurled herself into every aspect of student life, and has maintained that attitude towards life ever since. With seven different careers, several countries and a growing extended family, Harriet remains engaged with Edinburgh, travelling to attend alumni events in Toronto last summer. Read Harriet Hoskyns-Abrahall's profile. As an Edinburgh Student I became the first ever Scottish Ladies Trampoline Champion - there were only six contestants! Image Jerry Isaak Jerry Isaak’s degree and subsequent career have taken him to remote and challenging wilderness environments, but working with people has been the key to his success as he learns from the experiences of mentors, and passes on knowledge as a volunteer. Read Jerry Isaak's profile. The faculty in the MSc programme at the University of Edinburgh were instrumental in my career development. They challenged me to think more critically about our field and my own practice. I frequently refer back to the lessons I learned at Edinburgh as I plan and facilitate my own courses. Image Cate Nelson-Shaw Cate-Nelson Shaw’s career was kickstarted by the University’s Career Service, and having reaped the benefits she is now giving back to students with advice and mentoring nearly twenty years later. Read Cate Nelson-Shaw's profile. From 11,000 applicants I was one of only 70 graduates to join their Graduate Development Programme the year I graduated – an achievement I never would have thought possible without the help of the Careers Service and one individual in particular, with whom I am still in touch, nearly 20 years later. Send us your profile We are interested in the role that the University has played in your life, either directly - in terms of skills and knowledge - or indirectly, via friends, experiences or chance encounters. Please get in touch and you and your experiences could feature on our website. Document Alumni profile form (208.5 KB / DOC) This article was published on 2024-10-28