Classes of the 10s

Anna Rzepczynski launched We Build Too, a venture tackling the systemic underrepresentation of women in construction. Inspired by personal renovation frustrations and her background in user-centred design, Anna founded the platform to address the skills shortages and poor work cultures caused by a lack of industry diversity.

Following extensive research with over 200 stakeholders, the platform now creates clearer pathways for women while providing employers with data-driven insights to improve retention. Despite entering the sector as an outsider, Anna’s fresh perspective has earned her funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering and a finalist spot at the 2026 UK StartUp Awards in the Construction & Building Services category. For an early-stage company, this recognition is significant.

By bridging the gap between talent and industry, Anna is helping to build a more resilient, sustainable sector. Anna welcomes conversations with individuals and organisations interested in supporting this work, whether through insight, collaboration, or helping to share the story more widely.

"Currently I am working at Medipol University in Istanbul, Turkiye as an Orthopaedic Professor and recently became Head of the Orthopaedic Department for International Medical School. With the help of my degree from Dundee, I have also been a lecturer in the biomedical engineering department of the same university, actively supervising projects. Thank you, Dundee!"

"After graduating with a first-class BSc (Hons) in Neuroscience in 2014, I moved to the University of Cambridge to begin a PhD in Clinical Biochemistry supported by an MRC/Sackler Prize PhD Fellowship. Partway through, I realised my passion still lay firmly in neuroscience, and I returned to the field to complete a PhD in Neurosciences at the University of Basel, Switzerland, in collaboration with the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR). Following my PhD, I carried out postdoctoral research at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research in Switzerland.

"Life then took an unexpected turn when my father fell ill, and I made the decision to take over our family business in the health industry. While it was not the path I had originally imagined, it has been a meaningful way to remain connected to healthcare while also honouring my family’s legacy. More recently, I completed an MSc in Sports and Exercise Medicine at the University of South Wales, which has proved invaluable in my current role as Managing Director of our physiotherapy clinic.

"My husband, Grischa, and I have four children, Karl (8), Friedrich (7), Elsie (4), and Lorna (8 months) and we live on a small farm in the southwest of Germany. I can only hope that one day one of them might return to Dundee to study and experience some of the best years of their life there, just as I did."

Harriet has embarked on a new career with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. As the inaugural Regional Marcomms Manager for Scotland, Harriet is responsible for all Scottish marketing and communications, managing activity to raise the charity's profile and drive strategic fundraising objectives.

"About a decade or more ago, I attended the MLitt in Writing Theory and Practice, tutored by Kirsty Gunn and the late Jim Stewart. Now retired, I’m finally finding time to address my long-held intention to publish my writing. I’m pleased to report that I had six short stories featured in the Dundee Zine Fest at Art Angel on Saturday 14 March and I’m working on the final edit of my novel, Knowing Where To Look, which, if all goes well, I intend to launch in e-book form at the Angus Book Festival in Montrose in November 2026."

"Since graduating, I’ve built an international career in tech. After moving to Canada and becoming a citizen, I transitioned into Product Management leading product-led transformation in aviation retailing, while mentoring aspiring Product Managers. Now settled back in Scotland and working remotely from Edinburgh, I’m also hoping to organise a 10-year reunion with classmates this year."

"I’m honoured to share that I’ve been appointed by the Secretary of Health to be the Chair of the State Advisory Council on Health & Wellness in the state of Maryland.

"This council plays a critical role in advising state leadership on policies and strategies that promote preventive care, community well-being, and systems that support healthier lives across the lifespan. Our work focuses on strengthening cross-sector collaboration, elevating evidence-based solutions, and ensuring that health considerations are embedded in decision-making statewide.

"As Chair, I’m especially committed to advancing population health equity - addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape health outcomes, and ensuring that all communities have fair and just opportunities to achieve optimal health.

"I’m grateful for the trust placed in me and look forward to working alongside dedicated council members, partners, and community leaders to drive meaningful, equitable impact."

DJCAD graduate Deborah Chapman’s local social enterprise How It Felt is celebrating its 10th year this year! It started as a final-year art school project and was showcased at the 2015 Degree show.

This launched How It Felt into becoming a creative and holistic organisation that supports the community of Dundee with puppets, drama, film, upskilling, and arts & crafts projects. With a person-centred approach to supporting mental health and well-being by giving a voice through the arts.

"Since completing my PhD, I’ve pursued postdoctoral and faculty roles across Haifa, Bern, and Frankfurt, exploring how brain circuits influence immune responses.

"I’m now Lecturer in Neuroscience and Pharmacology at the European University of Cyprus Medical School, leading research on neuroimmune communication at the University of Mainz and teaching the next generation of medical scientists."

"Since graduating, I have been busy growing and nurturing Narture CIC, a social enterprise in Ayr that blends food, art, and community regeneration.

"Recently, we’ve won a Scottish EDGE award to help expand our bakery! This will allow us to generate more income to support even more arts projects and community initiatives through Narture CIC. The award and expansion will not only create jobs and training opportunities for local people but also support a vibrant programme of creative workshops, exhibitions, and events that bring people together and revitalise the town."

Media artist, researcher, and lecturer Cornelia Sollfrank has been awarded the HAP Grieshaber Prize of VG Bild-Kunst 2025. The prize is equivalent to the Turner Prize in Germany and recognizes Cornelia’s outstanding achievements as a pioneer of net art and her commitment to cyber- and techno-feminism. Recurring themes in her work include critical authorship, new forms of (political) self-organization, artistic infrastructures and techno-feminism.

With her numerous artistic projects and interventions, often realized within the framework of (techno-)feminist collectives, as well as her work in research and teaching, Cornelia has earned herself a reputation as a pioneer of net art. The artist has explored digital media since the 1990s, co-founded the cyberfeminist "Old Boys Network" and created the net.art generator, which questions authorship. Her work cycle "THIS IS NOT BY ME" also critically examines originality and copyright in the digital space.

Aysem has recently joined South Pole as their Data Senior Manager, where she is leading data strategy and governance to support global climate and sustainability initiatives.

After studying Mathematics at Dundee, Aysem has had an exciting journey through analytics and digital transformation for over a decade, and she is now thrilled to be applying those skills to purpose-driven work.

She said, "It’s inspiring to be part of a company where every insight helps drive climate action."

Since completing his degree, Ahmed earned the Bi-Collegiate Membership in Orthodontics (MOrth) from both the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, as well as the Membership of the Faculty of Dentistry (MFD) from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

He later secured the MOrth from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and in September 2024, was elected as a Members' Representative to the Dental Council of RCSEd - a competitive and meaningful appointment.

Soon after, Ahmed was also awarded the Fellowship in Orthodontics as part of the College’s transition from Membership to Fellowship. Today, he serves proudly as both an orthodontic consultant and educator.

As he reflects on his journey, he says, “Dundee gave me more than a degree - it gave me a compass.”

After over 40 years of nursing, Rizz is now on a new and uncharted path in his retirement. Rizz has clinical experience in many areas of nursing such as Neonatal ICU, Paediatric ICU, Adult ICU, Adult Forensic Psychiatry, and Juvenile Justice Behavioural Psychiatry.

Attaining his Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Dundee enhanced his ability to communicate more effectively and meaningfully with nursing students, and with the next generation of nurses alike.

"I have connected and collaborated with over 10 Dundee alumni under Collaborative Project to Increase Production of Rural Doctor (CPIRD), Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. We were awarded the ASPIRE to Excellence award in faculty development by AMEE (Association for Medical Education in Europe) in 2023.

"I currently serve as the Deputy and Assistant Director of the Bureau of Medical Doctors and Health Care Professional Production and Development (MHPD) to improve the medical education system in Thailand.

"Furthermore, I’ve kept my connection to Dundee and in my job signed a memorandum of understanding with the Centre for Medical Education at the University to collaborate on the training course for medical educators. We have invited our classmates and mentors to teach workshops in Thailand since 2018. In addition, my international CME friends from Pakistan and Egypt, former mentors from UoD, and I were successful in setting up a workshop at AMEE2024 in Basel, Switzerland. We are always connected and developed many projects and publications. Dundee was such a memorable experience and brought so many brilliant professionals together."

"I graduated from DJCAD in 2016, not only as a successful artist but also as an International Student Ambassador for the University. Life has never been the same since I started representing Dundee and UK education in India, now working closely with various transnational partners and organisations specialised in international education in my career.

"In my career I have gone on to be a Recruitment Adviser (in country representative - ICR) for the University of Exeter in India, before joining the University of Hull where I am currently enjoying my position as the International Recruitment Officer for India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

"I cannot wait to be back very soon and meet my lovely Dundonians as 2025 is the year to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Masters at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design that changed my life for everything I consider the best!"