Any views expressed within media held on this service are those of the contributors, should not be taken as approved or endorsed by the University, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University in respect of any particular issue.

Alumni profiles

Alumni profiles

Discovering the role that the University has played in the lives of our alumni, exploring experiences, tracing career paths and imparting wisdom.

Author: Kristina Benova

Photograph of Andrew Larkins

MSc One Health, 2018

Andrew’s career journey began in veterinary clinics, but today he wears multiple hats as an epidemiologist, lecturer and non-executive director of an animal welfare charity. Inspired by his Edinburgh degree, Andrew is a One Health advocate tackling challenges that affect humans, animals and environment alike.

Portrait of Sandra Tafadzwa Garwe

MSc Global Health Policy, 2019

Sandra is a public health and policy professional currently working at the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Zimbabwe where she supports the organisation’s HIV Prevention Programme and multi-disease diagnostics work. Alongside her role, she also runs a small education programme supporting students at universities across Zimbabwe.

Paul Dhillon portrait

Postgraduate Certificate in Surgical Sciences, 2010

Paul divides his time between clinical work in the emergency room and leadership responsibilities in the Canadian Armed Forces. His career has been far from typical, taking him – among other places – aboard the HMCS Ville de Québec and to Sierra Leone during the Ebola outbreak.

Ishani Malhotra headshot

MSc in Regenerative Medicine, 2017

Ishani is a scientist and biotech founder dedicated to helping breakthroughs in cancer research reach patients more quickly and effectively. Inspired by her postgraduate degree and the University of Edinburgh’s innovation community, she is now starting her second company focused on using AI to improve cancer treatments.

Photograph of Darien Cipta

MFM Family Medicine, 2017

During medical training, Darien realised many patients’ struggles could not be explained by biological illness alone. Now Head of the Department of Psychiatry at a medical school in Indonesia, Darien combines clinical work, research, and teaching to advance understanding of mental health and improve patient care.

Portrait of Ivo Gormley

MA Social Anthropology, 2005

GoodGym began in 2009 when its founder and Edinburgh alumnus, Ivo Gormley, decided to run to visit an elderly neighbour instead of running on a treadmill. His idea to combine fitness with social good has grown into a charity with runners in over 60 towns and cities in the UK.

María Fernanda Souza headshot

MSc Global Environment, Politics and Society 2022

Studying at the University of Edinburgh helped María find her voice and broaden her perspective on climate issues. She’s now a leading figure in Latin America’s climate diplomacy, serving as Uruguay’s National Director for Climate Change while still drawing on her Edinburgh experience.

Yiming Wang headshot

MSc Engineering and Electronics 2004

Yiming didn’t wait long after graduation to make his mark. Using the technical skills in energy systems and power electronics developed at the University of Edinburgh, he founded a company that has become a global powerhouse in solar and energy storage, currently employing more than 5,000 people.

Unelker Maoga headshot

MSc Environment and Development 2021

Unelker is an environmental scientist passionate about conservation that works for both people and the planet. Managing projects at a global development organisation and heading a youth-led environmental organisation in Kenya, she turns community-rooted ideas into real-world impact.

David Shearman headshot

BSc Anatomy 1959 | MBChB Medicine 1962 | PhD Medicine 1970

This three-time Edinburgh graduate has built a successful medical career while nurturing a life-long passion for the environment. Combining his expertise and commitment, he co-founded a charity in Australia where doctors and students collaborate on environmental and health initiatives.

css.php

Report this page

To report inappropriate content on this page, please use the form below. Upon receiving your report, we will be in touch as per the Take Down Policy of the service.

Please note that personal data collected through this form is used and stored for the purposes of processing this report and communication with you.

If you are unable to report a concern about content via this form please contact the Service Owner.

Please enter an email address you wish to be contacted on. Please describe the unacceptable content in sufficient detail to allow us to locate it, and why you consider it to be unacceptable.
By submitting this report, you accept that it is accurate and that fraudulent or nuisance complaints may result in action by the University.

  Cancel