Your Durham Inspiration

Do you remember why you first chose to study at Durham?

I was initially torn between Durham and a couple of other universities, but after visiting for an open day I was blown away by how friendly and welcoming everybody was. It made it clear that this was the place I wanted to spend the next 3 years.

What work or moment were you most proud of at Durham?

I was involved in many projects that I am proud of but my dissertation project has to be the highlight. I researched how AI could be used to recognise written characters, culminating in an app that allowed users to draw text on their phones rather than typing. Seeing features like this being fundamental to modern day products such as smartwatches makes me realise how advanced the work I was doing was.

What are your fondest memories from your time here?

Snowball fights on the golf course during the winter, watching cricket at Chester-le-Street in the summer, and beating my mates at FIFA pretty much every day in between. College events were also a highlight, with Mildert Day, Jam by the Lake, Bops and end of term balls all providing long lasting memories.

How has Durham inspired you to get to where you are today?

My time at Durham fuelled a passion for learning that persists to this day, and showed me just how much it is possible to achieve when you put your mind to it.

You

What have you been up to since you left Durham?

I moved back to my hometown of Leeds to join TPP, a company specialising in clinical software for use in a wide range of healthcare settings. As a software developer I have been involved in many interesting and fulfilling projects, from behind the scenes technical upgrades to user facing developments, all with the aim of improving patient care in the UK and beyond.

What are you doing that is most meaningful to you now?

I always wanted a job that allowed me to make a difference in the world and working at TPP allows me to do that. This has never been more important than during the past year, and I can see the impact that my work is having in helping the country make its way through this awful pandemic.

Is there anything from Durham that has stayed with you and still inspires you now?

Durham always encouraged me to be the best person I could possibly be, in both my professional and personal life. This will continue to influence my decisions for a long time to come.

Tell us about your latest news or developments.

The past couple of years have seen me heavily involved in the development of Airmid, an app designed to give patient's control of their own healthcare. It's been incredibly exciting to see this released to the public in the UK, and I'm looking forward to developing the app further in the coming months.

Personal interests

I enjoy playing tennis, and going for walks in the nearby Yorkshire countryside. I am also a keen football fan - looking forward to the day I can go back to Elland Road after Leeds finally made it back into the Premier League.

Pass It On

What would be your top piece of advice for current students and/or recent graduates?

Take on every opportunity that comes your way, even if it scares you or you think you aren't good enough for it (hint - you are!). Graduating from Durham puts you in an incredibly privileged position, allowing you to do anything you want in life. Make the most of it, and more importantly, enjoy it.

Is there anything that you know now that you wish you’d known when graduating?

University isn't the end of your learning, it's just the start. You'll be learning new things every day for the rest of your life, and continuing to be intrigued and fascinated by the new and unknown will be as important to your future as the knowledge that you have already gained.