1980s

Laurence Heron's life after studying Biology at Edinburgh has taken him all over the world and given him dual nationality. And now things are coming full circle for him as he returns to Edinburgh to take on a new role as business management consultant.

There's no denying that Christopher Librie's life and career have been shaped by Edinburgh - both the city and the University. As an exchange student he met his future wife here before returning to complete his MBA in 1985. He tells us what he's been doing since graduation and how his career has taken an environmental and socially conscious track.

US alumna Stasha Healy on tracing her Scottish roots, writing while travelling, and helping East Coast alumni to celebrate Burns Night.

Dagenham. Amsterdam. The Dandenongs. Karen Walls' career reads like an adventure story and a new chapter has recently started with the release of her first novel.

Helping patients with cancer to preserve fertility was just one of the outcomes of Professor Roger Gosden's 18 years on staff at the University, during which his contributions to reproduction sciences were recognised with a higher degree.

Dr Poonam Bala is a pioneer in the research field of medicine and colonialism. Here, she reflects on her experiences as a Commonwealth Scholar in Edinburgh and her international research and teaching career.

Working for the US National Park Service led James Miculka to study resource management at Edinburgh. His career has since taken him to Guam, New Orleans, New York and Texas with the same employer.

From collecting 3D photographs to building a women's ice hockey team in Chamonix, chemistry graduate Dr Peter Blair's pursuits have been wide ranging.

Professor Gordon Wishart defied detractors to lead a successful clinical and research career in breast surgery before founding a healthcare company providing cancer screening and diagnostic services.

Business graduate Mark Everard combines working in the housing sector with leading an ambassador group for a charity supporting children with cancer worldwide.

Following two research degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Mandy Haggith changed tracks and now splits her working week campaigning to save the world's forests and lecturing in creative writing.

After gaining a degree in English Language, Dr Paul Greatrix never really left higher education. Today he holds a leadership position at a Russell Group university and blogs about issues in the sector.

A passion for Scottish history led Dr Peter Symms to study for a PhD at Edinburgh in the 1980s, followed by an MSc (Research) two decades later.

Andy Glidden recalls how a bright pink rocking chair landed him an appearance on TV show Blue Peter. Following an international career at various design consultancies, he set up Glidden Design in 1998.

Two-time GeoSciences graduate David Gray tells us about his global career leading to 22 years at the World Bank and his role as president of the Edinburgh University Alumni Club of Washington DC.

John R Walker completed two degrees at Edinburgh before going on to have a fascinating career at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He tell us more.

Obioma's PhD studies in Political Science at the University helped shape an illustrious career in the Nigerian Foreign Service.

Edinburgh-born Chris Impey has an infectious enthusiasm for his hometown, despite spending much of his life in the USA. And his enthusiasm for astronomy has proved equally infectious for his many audiences.

Dr Idris Ahmed Yagoub was nominated by the British government to come to the University of Edinburgh from Sudan and shares how his time in Scotland has had a profound impact on his life.

Ronald Soutar came over the water from Fife in the 1980s to study veterinary medicine, beginning a relationship with the University that lasts until this day.

Liritzis Ioannis' time in the Athens of the North made him realise his desire for academia and gave him an education in Scottish dance.

Award-winning journalist Melanie Reid MBE is the writer of Spinal Column, a weekly column about life as a disabled person following a horse riding accident. She shares her memories of happy times spent in a beautiful and mysterious Edinburgh.

Ken Sutherland came to Edinburgh because of strong family connections and after many years of travel and work tells us he wouldn’t live anywhere else.

Kim Chamberlain came to Edinburgh to study French but after taking Linguistics as an outside object enjoyed it enough to change her degree, years later she still uses the concepts learnt in her professional life.

Sue MacGillivray has had an interesting and varied career since graduating, including setting up her own private life coaching consultancy.

Jeanette Robertson was first introduced to the University of Edinburgh and it’s MSc in Nursing Education on a holiday to Scotland in 1979, 36 years later she considers her Edinburgh education key to her satisfying nursing career.

Mumtaz Khan talks to us about moving to Edinburgh from Pakistan, living in Pollock Halls and the long-lasting influence studying tropical veterinary medicine had on his professional life.

Music graduate Kathy Blackwell talks to us about how her career in teaching gave her the experience needed to co-author a number of educational music books for young string players.

Professor Fred Freeman piped for the Crown Princess of Japan during her visit to the University and has a soft spot for the graffiti that used to exist at the University library.

Although Peter Neil found his time at Edinburgh challenge, it was still certainly an enjoyable experience and was a stepping stone towards two equally interesting and complementary careers.

Time spent directing opera and musical theatre as an undergraduate has led to a career in the arts for medical graduate Michael Richardson.

The modular structure of Aileen Reid's degree led her to courses in the architecture department, the first step in a journey that is now recording the complex evolution of London's built environment.

Richard Watt’s career has taken him around the world, mainly working within the IT industry. Here he explains how he has finally realised his dream of becoming an author.

Malcolm Macleod has a long association with the University, from student to Rector and now as Chair in Neurology and Translational Neurosciences.

Peter Gibbons’ physics degree seems far removed from his current role in business, but the scientific, problem solving grounding he received in Edinburgh has served him well.

The opportunities to consume art, books and cinema alongside studying in Edinburgh have influenced Adrian Searle’s career in more ways than one.

A strong belief in flexible working has not held Linda Urquhart back in breaking several glass ceilings.

Ken Weighand stresses the importance of work/life balance whilst studying, and looks back on first encounters with computers in the 1980s

Jacquelyn MacLennan says that women are still under-represented in senior positions in her field.

From Hull to Head of the Law School, Lesley McAra tell us how a love affair with Edinburgh when she was a student meant she never left.

Oliver Ellis loves a good story and has a knack for what kids like to watch. He tells us how he has combined the two to carve out a fulfilling career.

Beth Thomas works as World Heritage Site Coordinator at Stonehenge. A love of her degree and an aptitude for operational management led her to the position.

Musician and performer Ingrid Sawers - one half of the McKenzie Sawyers duo - explains how she followed a career path linked to her involvement in clubs and societies, and not her degree.

Scott Wightman's degree has taken him to the British Embassy in Seoul, via au pairing in France and learning Chinese whilst working in Taiwan.

Headmaster, Graham Gamble tells us about acting, writing and a love of haggis suppers.

Linsay Given Black has changed course a few times in her university and professional careers.

Kate Richards has gone from farm vet to government advisor. She reminisces about ladies’ rugby, the Meadows and feeling a bit like James Herriot.

David Nussbaum describes how a theology degree at Edinburgh has lead him to heading up the country’s most influential wildlife charity.

Photographer Anna Henly talks about the appeal of romantic, bonnie Scotland, her love of skiing and winning two BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards.

Alumna Sandra Wilson chats about student life, a chance encounter with a sporty scientist and how research skills gained at Edinburgh have been vital to her career.