"A PhD is about shaping your life on your own terms"

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m originally from Jordan but was born and raised in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Before coming to Cambridge, I completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at . While initially enrolled in an integrated Master’s program at KCL, I found myself increasingly drawn to the sciences and captivated by solving big, novel questions.

What made you decide to apply for a PhD?

I became fascinated with behaviour, perception, and understanding the world through different lenses, and decided to pivot toward neuroscience.

"My passion led me to join a newly established lab at Cambridge, where I became the very first member and took on the exciting and unique challenge of helping my supervisor build the lab from the ground up."

Can you describe your research area?

My research blends my background in engineering with my fascination for neuroscience, allowing me to develop a novel experimental paradigm to study how mice navigate and interact with their environment. This paradigm has the potential to reshape how behavioural neuroscience experiments are designed, making them more adaptable and accessible to a broader range of research questions.

Tell us a bit more about the impact of your research.

"The impact of my work reaches beyond technical innovation to reveal the intricacies of our most essential cognitive processes. Spatial navigation is fundamental to survival, and understanding it provides valuable insights into how the brain encodes and processes information about space, time, and movement."

How have you found the PhD process?

My PhD has been an incredibly formative era of my life. Starting at Cambridge during the uncertain period of COVID-19 - when life was just beginning to return to some semblance of normalcy - was both daunting and exhilarating.

"The disruptions caused by the pandemic strengthened my resolve to not only complete my PhD but to truly live fully. I promised myself from the start that I’d embrace every opportunity this remarkable place had to offer, making the most of the experiences and connections that would shape my life."

The past years have been filled with growth, discovery, and self-reflection. Cambridge has strengthened my resilience, deepened my patience, and taught me the art of adapting to the unexpected. There have been many moments of doubt and challenge, but they are outshone by the joy of small wins, the friendships I’ve made, and the pride of seeing my work come together.

As a final year PhD student, what do you think has been the biggest thing you’ve learned through the PhD process?

"Perhaps the most significant lesson I’ve learned is that a PhD isn’t just about research; it’s about shaping your life on your own terms."

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. I learned to carve my own path, balancing the academic demands of my PhD with my love for sports, social connections, and personal growth. It wasn’t easy - I discovered that no season of my life is ever perfectly balanced - but I’ve come to see that as a strength. Each phase brings its own focus, and learning to embrace that has been transformative.

Did you pick �鶹��Ӿ�when you applied?

"�鶹��Ӿ�College has been at the heart of my Cambridge experience. It was my first choice of College, chosen for its diversity, warmth, and cosmopolitan spirit, and it has exceeded every expectation."

I’ve embraced many aspects of College life, from rowing and coxing to playing football, netball, and participating in mixed touch rugby with a Cambridge team. I became part of the �鶹��Ӿ�Entrepreneurship Hub, served as a Student Ambassador, and immersed myself in the rich social and academic life the College fosters.

How easy have you found it to feel included in student life as a PhD candidate?

"�鶹��Ӿ�isn’t just a place to study - it’s a community that celebrates individuality and creates a sense of belonging."

I’ve loved bringing friends from other colleges to �鶹��Ӿ�events because our socials are truly unmatched. This College has been more than a home; it’s been a foundation for so many of the memories I will cherish forever.

How do you feel about coming to the end of your PhD? What are you most looking forward to for the remainder of your studies?

As I prepare to leave Cambridge, I feel an overwhelming mix of emotions - gratitude for the journey, sadness at leaving, and excitement for what’s to come.

"This feels like the end of an era, not just because my time at Cambridge is concluding, but because I’ll also be stepping away from academia."

In these final months, my focus is on consolidating my research and savouring the friendships and connections I’ve built here. I want to continue soaking up the richness of life at Cambridge, cherishing every moment, and finishing strong.

Do you have any idea where your PhD might take you?

Whilst academia will always be a part of who I am, I’m excited to embark on a new chapter where I can apply everything I’ve learned to a challenging and impactful role in industry.

My time at Cambridge has shown me that life is abundant, and though this chapter is ending, I’m ready to embrace the possibilities of what’s ahead. Wherever life leads me, Cambridge will always hold a special place in my heart.

This article is part of the 2024-5 Postgraduate Student Profile Series.

You can read about Sally's recent work as a student ambassador supporting the Aurora Education Foundation: an Indigenous Australian organisation that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to realise their full education potential.

You can learn about the funding available at Wolfson and how to apply to study for a postgraduate course at Cambridge University as a �鶹��Ӿ�College student on our website.

You can also read about studying at �鶹��Ӿ�as an international student.