Lucy Shahabian is a PhD student at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, with 5 years of research and laboratory work expertise through her studies. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from the University of Nicosia, and a Master’s degree in Molecular Medicine from the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics. She is currently working on her PhD project, where she is investigating the link between Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Type II Diabetes through murine models of AD, and the possible use of diabetic pharmacological intervention to alleviate or slow down the symptoms of the disease. Lucy has also participated in several science communication consortiums, both in the organizing committees and also as a speaker in conferences.

Changing Degrees and Pursuing My Own Passions: My Journey to a Fulfilling PhD 

Ever spent years in a degree you were not happy with? This PhD student has, and she advocates for being brave enough to choose personal fulfilment over societal expectations and conventional timelines. In this article, she shares her breakthrough in changing academic direction to a path that better aligns with her passions, and offers empowering words to others who may be in a similar situation.

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 Why Being a Distinctly Average PhD Student is Extraordinarily Fine

PhD survivor Hannah Broadbent shares her personal account of persevering through her PhD, detailing her struggle with imposter syndrome and mental health. Upon self-reflection, she shifted from academia to an industry job that best matched her preferences. Her story emphasises the importance of personal satisfaction over conforming to the perfect PhD student stereotype.

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It’s Your PhD: How to Deal With Unhelpful Advice

This article explores how advice, whether solicited or unsolicited, can damage the morale and hope of those doing a PhD. The purpose of this article is to comment on the boundaries that researchers must put in place to avoid being negatively affected: we must be discerning as to whether advice is useful and pertinent, or whether it is not applicable to us. The main message is: don’t listen to everyone, and trust your own judgement!

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