‘My grandad helped build Dundee’s School of Medicine. Now I’m graduating with a PhD!’

The University of Dundee’s School of Medicine PhD programme ticked every box for Nicole, who was keen to continue researching Motor neuron disease following a successful Master's project at her previous university. But there was another reason too. 

Nicole said,“My grandparents moved from Dundee to Liverpool when my mother was around eight years old. My mum has lost her accent, but she's still a Dundonian! 

“The fact that this PhD was so suited to me, and it was in Dundee of all places, was funny because it was like going back full circle. 

“My grandfather George worked at Ninewells when it was being built. I remember my grandma telling me about the scale of the project at the time, and how my grandfather was a labourer during its construction. It’s just amazing to think I’ve spent the past few years working from the place my grandad helped build.” 

Nicole was accepted onto the course and started studies in early 2020. The now 28-year-old said, “I settled well. My grandma sadly passed away a few years before I moved, so it felt very nostalgic walking around the city. I always felt if my grandparents were alive and could see me wandering these places, they’d be wondering what on earth was going on! If they knew, I’m sure they’d be proud.”  

A few months after moving north, life was thrown up in the air for everybody as Covid-19 forced campus closures and online studies. A year of pandemic uncertainty was followed by the arrival of Nicole’s baby girl, Skye, who was born at Ninewells.  

Balancing first-time motherhood with doctoral studies wasn’t easy, but the sheer determination and support of her friends, family and university staff paved the way for her ultimate success.  

Nicole said, “I feel like I'm still kind of just coming down from all the rush and the craziness. It was hard at times, but I feel like having Skye gave me more of a reason to do well. 

“It was a lot of juggling, I was balancing being a good student doing what I needed to do, but also trying to be the best mum, wearing multiple hats. Thankfully I had the full support of family, friends and my supervisor.”  

During her PhD studies, Nicole’s work delved into the root causes of Motor neuron disease (MND). Her project looked at synapses in the brain – the small gaps at the end of a neuron which allow signals to pass from one neuron to the next. MND patients are known to have damaged or lost synapses, Nicole’s work has paved the way for future research into why this happens and what is going wrong. 

Nicole Hindley will graduate with a PhD at Friday’s ceremony supported by her family and very proud daughter, Skye.