Aloha, I’m Raven and I’m a budding neuroscientist with primary interests in the field of learning and memory, particularly aversive learning, traumatic memories and associated sex differences. Upon completion of my degree in June 2026, my aspirations lie in completing a PhD and further becoming a researcher. I’m currently seeking PhD opportunities for September/October 2026.
In September 2025, I’ll start my fifth and final year of my Neuroscience Integrated Masters Degree (with Professional Training Year) at Cardiff University. Here, I’ll develop competency in whole cell patch clamping, whilst investigating the impact of reduced expression of CACNA1C, a schizophrenia risk-associated gene, on hippocampal CA3 function. In September 2024 I completed my research placement year at The University of Bristol, where I investigated the neurocircuitry underlying aversive conditioning and extinction in a rodent model. Following this, I continued to work as a student researcher at The University of Bristol whilst completing my final Bachelors year at Cardiff University. I also completed The Trauma Research Foundation’s Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies, via a scholarship, in April 2024.
Along side this, I began my journey into freelancing and entrepreneurship in September 2023, as a trauma-informed SEN/ALN specialist private tutor. In the same month, I also started Trauma, Translated – initially just a few science communication blog posts, translating the latest in trauma science into plain English, and now a vision of a better world – one where we’re all equipped with the knowledge we need to set us free.
My Ethos:
Reductionism is inherently necessary in science, to be sure we’re actually investigating the specific thing we think we are. This is a hallmark of good science and valid results. However, when applying research to real life there is much more nuance. Nothing is ever as simple or as two dimensional as it seems in a controlled, experimental setting.
In application, we must try to be holistic and piece together a bigger picture. We must see people as whole, 360° individuals who are inherently multifaceted and full of complexity. This is, arguably, simply the human condition. And, really? It’s a wonderful thing.
My personal ethos is to embrace this, weaving it in to everything I do, with people – as individuals – at the core.
The Why:
That’s the ‘what’ and the ‘who’, so I guess the ‘why’ completes the rule of three. Although it’s perhaps a bit of a cliché, I live my life by the phrase ‘be the person you needed when you we younger’. Now, as an adult who is lucky enough to lead a very wonderful and privileged life, I recognise that things can be better. That we – as people – have the power to make things better.
Everything I do is underpinned by this – by a focus on the possibilities, the curiosity to explore them and the drive to see them through.
My Education:
September 2021 – Present: Neuroscience MNeuro (with PTY), Cardiff University, UK
August 2023 – April 2024: Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies, Trauma Research Foundation, US/Remote
Entrepreneurship:
September 2023 – Present: Founder and Science Communicator, Trauma, Translated, Remote, UK
September 2023 – Present: Owner and Tutor, Academic Hope, Remote, UK
University Roles:
July 2025 – Present: Senior Student Experience Partner (previously known as Senior Student Champion)
May 2023 – Present: Widening Participation/Outreach Student Ambassador
February 2023 – Present: Student Ambassador
September 2021 – Present: Diversity Representative in the School of Biosciences
Community Positions:
October 2024 – Present: Reaching Wider Young Carers Mentor, Remote, UK
May 2024 – Present: Reaching Wider STEM Mentor, Remote, UK
October 2023 – Present: Reaching Wider National Peer Mentor, Remote, UK
September 2022 – Present: Local Authority School Governor at the Western Learning Federation, Cardiff, UK
June 2022 – Present: STEM Ambassador, STEM Learning UK, Remote, UK
Honours and Awards:
Most Engaging Mentor (South Wales) for 23 -24 Year, Reaching Wider, 2025
Champion of Social Mobility in the Student Social Mobility Awards by upReach, 2024
School of Biosciences: Made a Difference Award, 2023
Highly Commended Student Mentor for the School of Biosciences, 2023
School of Biosciences: Citizenship Award, 2022