Anne Sokolich (DPhil Clinical Neuroscience, 2015)

Anne is in the second year of her DPhil studying Clinical Neurosciences. Her research aims to improve imaging diagnostics for patients with brain tumours.

I chose Hertford because I had a gut feeling that the college was friendly and accessible; I was so relieved to find out it was such a good fit. Hertford has a lovely community of friendly, talented, and interesting graduate students. Even though we all study different topics, we support and spur each other on. Lots of colleges around Oxford are beautiful, but Hertford seems like it has a special warmth.

The wonderful part about Oxford is that I continue to meet fascinating people every day. When I conduct my research, I keep in mind the great diversity of what people can think, feel, fear and want. In understanding this diversity, I think it prepares us better for the variety of patients that may come in for treatment and surgery.

My hope for my DPhil research is to better understand the functional networks of the brain. I want to contribute to research that will improve cognitive diagnostics in patients, preventing damage and protecting cognitive function, not only for a longer and healthier life, but for a higher quality of life as well.

To the alumni who have given to the college, thank you. Thank you for helping to support the community here. Out of all the universities and countries where I have spent time studying and researching, I have to say that I am happiest here.