We are pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Alumni Achievement Awards

We are proud to announce the Newcastle University graduates who have won this year’s Alumni Achievement Awards.

Newcastle's 270,000-strong alumni community are achieving great things around the world. To honour these exceptional achievements, we host the Alumni Achievement Awards every year. This year, graduates from various parts of the globe have been shortlisted in three categories: Outstanding Social and Civic Contribution, Outstanding Global, EDI and Intercultural Contribution and Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Justice and Sustainability.  

Read on to meet our winners and highly commended alumni achievers. 

Outstanding contribution to Environmental Justice and Sustainability - Mark Davis (BA Social Studies, 2000) 

This category recognises individuals who have made an exceptional impact in supporting the community and Professor Mark Davis's work on Local Climate Bonds is a prime example of academic achievement leading to a positive real-world impact. 

Local governments face a funding gap in achieving their net-zero goals, inspiring Mark’s research team to explore the potential of crowdfunding to bridge this gap. Their work led to the creation of Community Municipal Investments (CMIs) – a novel financial product launched through Local Climate Bonds. 

CMIs empower individuals to invest as little as £5 in local sustainability projects like solar panels and energy-efficient housing. This fosters a sense of ownership and strengthens public support for climate initiatives. By allowing ordinary people to invest, CMI’s democratise finance and empower communities to tackle the climate crisis directly. 

Professor Davis' collaboration with councils across the UK has resulted in over £8 million raised for local net-zero projects. With a national campaign underway, CMIs have the potential to unlock £3 billion for councils nationwide. 

Outstanding Global, EDI and Intercultural Contribution Award - Rawaa Qasha (PhD Computer Science, 2017)

 

This award recognises alumni who have led the way in the integration of people and cultures, and who are breaking down barriers to create a greater sense of inclusivity across issues such as race, age, gender and disability.

Rawaa Qasha is an Assistant Professor at the University of Mosul (UoM). During her studies at Newcastle University, UoM was occupied and largely destroyed by ISIS forces. Following the liberation of Mosul, Rawaa returned to her hometown to help rebuild the city and university.  

As the director of the department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations at the University of Mosul (UoM), Rawaa Qasha oversees academic and cultural collaborations with Arab and international universities, institutions, and organisations. Her responsibilities include establishing communication channels, joint programs, and exchange projects, thereby fostering global connections for UoM. 

Rawaa has also been pivotal in the revival and conservation of Mosul's cultural heritage, which was heavily damaged during the ISIS occupation. She has collaborated with international partners such as Mosul Heritage, UNESCO, the British Library, and Newcastle University to restore the city's ancient cultural heritage and help the community preserve its historical legacy. 

Outstanding Social and Civic Contribution Award - Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin (BA English Literature, Fine Art Drawing and History, 2010)

This award recognises alumni who are making a difference in their industry or community, or who are making great strides in inspiring the next generation of students.

Gabby's journey began at Newcastle, where she honed her creative and academic talents with a combined honours degree in English Literature, Fine Art Drawing, and History of Art. She later pursued an MA in Applied Imagination in the Creative Industries at Central Saint Martins, graduating with distinction and earning the prestigious UAL Vice Chancellor's Scholarship. 

After university, Gabby went on to found Bloody Good Period, a revolutionary charity tackling period poverty. This grassroots initiative quickly evolved into a powerful organisation under her leadership. Bloody Good Period not only distributes period products and provides reproductive education, but also advocates for systemic change. 

Gabby's influence reached the highest levels when she co-convened the Government's Period Poverty Task Force and spearheaded numerous campaigns to make period products a human right. She even created the groundbreaking podcast, "Stay in the Room", specifically designed to engage men in the conversation about periods. 

A prolific writer, Gabby's work has graced the pages of The Sunday Times, Metro, and Glamour. She is also a sought-after speaker, having addressed influential companies like Apple, The Guardian, Disney and more.  

Gabby's numerous accolades include being named one of The Evening Standard's Progress 1000 in 2018 and being included in Who's Who in 2021. Perhaps the most unique recognition? Gabby has a vegan doughnut named after her – the "Gabby Edlin" by The Female Glaze! 

Highly Commended in the Outstanding contribution to Environmental Justice and Sustainability category 

Santosh Gandhi (MSc Pipeline Engineering, 2007)

Santosh founded Disposable Green to address single-use plastic and coffee cup waste by offering 100% home compostable packaging and tableware. The company was honored as the small innovative business of the year by Amazon in 2019, and Santosh contributes to the UK's Net Zero project via Hynet, providing consulting for a CO2 pipeline. 

Highly commended and shortlisted in the Outstanding Global, EDI and Intercultural Contribution category 

Souhail Aboulfadile (MSc Hydroinformatics and Water Management, 2022) 

Souhail, a Natural Catastrophe Modeler in Paris, develops mathematical models for reinsurance to enhance community resilience and financial adaptation. His work on water level drops for a U.S. hydroelectric dam has earned recognition at the 2024 Study UK Alumni Awards in France, and he is a candidate for the global awards by the British Council.

Dr Natasha Fothergill-Misbah (Global Public Health MSc, PGCert, PhD, 2020)  

Dr. Fothergill-Misbah, a Research Associate at Newcastle University, is dedicated to addressing health disparities, particularly in Parkinson’s disease research and advocacy in Africa. She collaborates with global organisations, founded support groups in Kenya, created educational resources in Swahili, produced documentaries, and consults for the WHO, significantly contributing to Parkinson’s care and support across Africa. 

Charlie French (BSc (Hons) Psychology, 2014) 

Charlie founded Etcho, a fintech start-up that helps people align their investments with their values and find impactful opportunities. Previously, he launched projects in Ghana and worked at a UN agency on SDGs; Etcho has raised £750k and is engaging with major private banks. 

Leiyang Peng (MSc Banking and Finance, 2014) 

Leiyang is the General Manager of Asset Development at AVIC Securities and an expert in China's REITs, contributing to green asset activation through innovative cases. He led pioneering projects like China's first public REITs offering and green financial products, significantly advancing sustainable development and earning multiple prestigious awards for his contributions.

Thomas Rumboll (BA (Hons) Business Management, 1999) 

Thomas founded SYNETIQ, focusing on sustainability through initiatives like tree planting, workwear recycling, composting, carpooling, solar panels, EV chargers, and LED lighting. Under his leadership, SYNETIQ has pioneered CO2 measurement for "Green" motor parts, EV battery collaborations, and low carbon labeling, earning awards like Ecovadis Silver, ISO 50001, and Carbon Literacy "Gold."

Dr Hannabiell Sanders (Music MPhil, PhD, 2016) 

Greshauna Hannabiell Sanders, a composer and activist from New Jersey now in Newcastle upon Tyne, excels as a bass trombonist, percussionist, and music teacher, using music to break stereotypes and unite communities. Recognised as 'Performing Artist of the Year' in 2012, she leads ensembles like Hannabiell & Midnight Blue, directs musical productions, and spearheads community projects like 'Human is My Name' and the Darlo Drum Festival through Harambee Pasadia CIC. 

Highly commended in the Outstanding Social and Civic Contribution category 

Dr Faaiz Yaqub Alhamdani (PhD Dental Science, 2012) 

Dr. Alhamdani, Assistant Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Head of Clinical Sciences at Ibn Sina University in Baghdad, has advanced research in Iraq by promoting qualitative methods in health services and medical education. His book, "A Short Guide in Qualitative Studies for Dental Researchers", earned second place in the 2022 Science Day Awards and is the first of its kind in the Middle Eastern Arabic-speaking countries.

Harry Cleary (BA (Hons) History, 2023) 

In November 2023, Harry Cleary ran four 56km ultramarathons in a month, raising over £15,000 for Movember in memory of his father. As Newcastle University's Movember ambassador, he raised over £40,000 through various challenges, graduated with First Class Honors in History, and now works at Movember to help prevent premature deaths among men. 

Andy Haddon (MSc Renewable Energy, Enterprise and Management, 2013) 

Andy Haddon, founder of Big River Bakery, blends his entrepreneurial background with local food initiatives in North East England, focusing on inclusivity and community impact. The bakery collaborates with various groups to address food poverty and provides employment for individuals facing significant barriers, such as autism.   

Dr Rachel Hawes (Medicine and Surgery MBBS, 2002)  

Dr. Rachel Hawes, a Consultant Anaesthetist at the RVI and with GNAAS, introduced helicopter blood transfusion services inspired by her military service in Afghanistan. She received the Lord Lieutenant's Award in 2017 and an OBE in 2018 from Queen Elizabeth for her impactful clinical contributions. 

Natalie Jones (BA (Hons) Classical Studies, 2017) 

Natalie serves as Project and Communications Manager at Nuvo Wellbeing CIC, overseeing initiatives that promote fitness and personal development to foster positive community impact. She designed the I Can Dance Programme, offering free dance sessions and mentoring to young adults in East Durham, sharing her own story to inspire and uplift participants, and was recognised on the Northern Power Women Awards' "Future List" for her community contributions.

Huge congratulations to everyone involved! 

Find out more about the Alumni Achievement Awards