Stella Guldner, MSc Brain and Mind Sciences

Job Title: PhD student
Employer: Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, Germany

Who did you find inspiring at UCL and why?

1. My fellow students, who were not only a lot of fun but also driven and dedicated to their work. 2. The members of the ICN Speech Communication Lab, who do fantastic research and were always supportive and kind at the same time.

What is your fondest memory of your time here?

As part of the Live Science project at the Science Museum, we got the chance to engage with the public and collect data. It was a wonderful opportunity to share our research with people of all ages!

Tell us a bit about the work you’re doing now...

I’m currently finishing my PhD at the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, Germany. It focusses on how we express our personality to others in our voice. Additionally I’m doing clinical training as a child and adolescent psychotherapist.

How did your UCL degree help you get to where you are now?

The course at UCL was one of the most intense, but at the same time one of the most inspiring times in my university life. I felt like this combination really helped me make a lot of progress in a short time. In addition, there were constant opportunities to network with researchers and get involved in ongoing projects. This helped me develop my own ideas and learn from great researchers working at UCL.

What have been your career highlights?

Publishing my first paper during my PhD and receiving poster and paper awards for my work.

What would be your advice for current students?

Keep your head up during the lockdown. While at UCL, network as much as you can and follow the example from researchers you find inspiring! Try to get involved in projects as much as you can to gain experience.