Classes of the 90s
Updates from alumni who graduated during the 1990s
Jacqueline Marr, Fine Art '99
For award-winning Falkirk-based artist Jacqueline Marr, a spontaneous decision led to an extraordinary and deeply personal moment during a royal visit to Stirling earlier this year.
A professional figurative painter, predominately painting in oils, Jacqueline has been self-employed for 26 years, building a respected career since graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, specialising in Drawing and Painting, from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD) in 1999
On 20 January 2026, knowing that The Prince and Princess of Wales were scheduled to visit Falkirk and Stirling, Jacqueline made a last-minute decision that morning to travel to Stirling. With a long standing ambition to one day paint the royal couple, she brought along a signed print of Everlasting - a new release of one of her feather oil paintings, hopeful for an opportunity to present it in person.
That opportunity arose ahead of the royal couple’s scheduled engagement at Scotland’s national curling centre at The Peak, Stirling’s sports village, in the lead up to the Winter Olympics, as they took time to greet members of the public. Introducing herself, Jacqueline spoke with the Princess of Wales about her admiration for her support of the arts and shared her ambition to paint both her and the Prince.
What followed was a heartfelt and memorable exchange. After accepting the artwork, the Princess spoke with Jacqueline about art and nature, creating a moment of genuine connection that concluded with a warm and unexpected gesture - a hug that left a lasting impression. Jacqueline said: “It was an ‘everlasting’ memory, a moment in time that I will never forget.”
During the visit, Jacqueline also spoke with the Prince of Wales, highlighting her early connection with The King's Trust (formerly the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust), which had supported her at the outset of her career. That support led to an invitation to attend a Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace - until now, her only previous royal experience.
For Jacqueline, the encounter serves as a reminder of the value of initiative: “I believe anything is achievable when we put our minds to it, and part of that is creating and seizing opportunities.”
The moment arrives at a significant point in her career. Approaching her 50th birthday in September next year, Jacqueline is preparing for a new solo exhibition at the Tighnabruaich Gallery, which will coincide with this milestone in 2027.
Jacqueline’s work has been exhibited widely across the UK and Europe and is held in collections including the Royal Scottish Academy, Halifax/Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered Bank. Awards include the Royal Scottish Academy John Kinross Scholarship (Florence, 1999) and the Royal Glasgow Institute David Cargill Award (2016). Jacqueline has also featured on Grand Designs and was a heat finalist on Portrait Artist of the Year 2020, painting celebrity sitter Ricky Wilson, frontman of the Kaiser Chiefs.
While the January encounter was unplanned, it may yet mark the beginning of another chapter - one that could see her long-held ambition of painting a royal portrait become a reality.
Keith Williams, Concrete Technology '97
"I studied at the University of Dundee from 1995 to 1996, completing an MSc in Concrete Technology.
"In 2027, I will take on the role of President of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the world’s largest professional body dedicated to structural engineering. This appointment marks a significant milestone in my career and reflects the global impact of the Institution’s work in advancing safe, sustainable, and innovative engineering practices.
"As President, I will serve as a figurehead for the Institution, representing its members on the international stage and engaging with industry leaders, policymakers, and engineering communities worldwide. The role will involve extensive global travel, offering opportunities to promote excellence in structural engineering and to address key challenges facing the built environment.
"Looking back, my time at the University of Dundee provided a strong academic foundation that has supported my professional journey. I am proud to maintain this connection as I take on a role that highlights both the importance of engineering expertise and the global reach of Dundee graduates."
Dr Ralf Dahm, Biochemistry '96
Ralf is thrilled to announce the release of The Dawn Fisherman: Friedrich Miescher and the Discovery of DNA (Springer, April 2026), co-authored with Kersten Hall of the University of Leeds. The book aims to restore Swiss scientist Friedrich Miescher to his rightful place in history, detailing his 1869 discovery of DNA while working inside the thick walls of a medieval castle in a provincial town in Southern Germany. It traces the journey of DNA from its overlooked beginnings to its current iconic status as the basis of modern biomedicine. Ralf and Kersten explore the initial scepticism Miescher faced, the race to understand the "molecule of life" and how DNA became the icon of the life sciences.
Alasdair (Ali) McKerron, Civil Engineering '91, and Gail MacKerron, English '92
Ali says: "In my third year of Civil Engineering I took French on a whim, partly because I’d got a D in my French O Grade. Gail, a second-year English Literature student, had done the same, so our meeting was pure chance. After class we got talking and after the second lecture I asked her out for a drink. It began our When Harry Met Sally story. Every Friday after French we had hot chocolate at the Pancake Place on Reform Street, but the timing never worked - she had a boyfriend, then I had a girlfriend, and after graduating in 1991 I moved to England. Still, we kept in touch by writing letters.
"I moved back to Scotland in 1995 and bought a flat in Haymarket, Edinburgh, while she was working in Glasgow. In 1996 she came to visit for the weekend, and we found out that the spark was still there. Drinks with friends, a ceilidh, then a long walk on Gullane beach. We talked about everything and she says she smiled all the way home.
"We started going out, she moved to Edinburgh in 1997, we married in 1998, moved to Limekilns in 1999 and had two boys in 2001 and 2003. After the 2009-10 financial crisis and when my Ferrari World Abu Dhabi project finished, we decided to give ourselves a chance and emigrated to Australia. We settled in Perth in 2011, became citizens in 2017, and live in a wonderful house overlooking the Indian Ocean. We remain best friends and are always looking back fondly on the University of Dundee."
Kai Taraporevala, Physics-Technology of Amorphous Materials '91
Kai holds master’s degrees in physics from IIT Delhi and the University of Dundee, and an MBA from INSEAD. After decades in finance, Kai emerged from Plato’s allegorical cave to embrace a life of caregiving and pursue a third master’s in physics with a focus on astrophysics at the Open University, UK This return was driven by lifelong curiosity, philosophical inquiry, personal reflection, and a deep sense of gratitude for the many kindnesses and privileges he’s been lucky to receive.
He writes to share, to connect, and to spark meaningful dialogue, inviting readers to reflect, question, imagine - and respond with compassion toward a better world. His second book, Modern Humanism: Science, Ethics, and the Stewardship of Earth, explores timeless questions: What does it mean to live well? How do we understand our place in the universe? What kind of future can we co-create? Blending scientific insight with ethical reflection, the book offers a humanist framework rooted in evolutionary biology, behavioural science, ecology, and the creative arts. It champions compassion, service, and consilience - where understanding and kindness converge to shape a flourishing Earth.
It is now 35 years since Kai was at Dundee and he has so many fond memories - the late Professor Walter Spear who was a great teacher and guide, many friends, and his rugby playing at Morgan Rugby Club.
Elizabeth Fordyce, Contemporary European History '98
I graduated in the Summer of 1998 at the age of 54. However, my graduation was only one in my family’s connection to Dundee. My youngest son Joseph Fordyce graduated in 2022 in Engineering, and next year my Granddaughter Abbie Fordyce graduates from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. As an Octogenarian I’m looking forward to her graduation and celebration.
Julian Kyomuhangi, Environmental Health '93
"Throughout my career, I have worked for my Government - Uganda - one of the East African countries.
"In June 2021, I retired as a Commissioner for Environmental Department at the Ministry of Health, and I am now a senior citizen enjoying a happy life – especially as a member of the Entebbe Rotary Club (RCE). I also spend time playing golf.
"I recently received a Lifetime Achievers' Award by the Civil Society Organisation under their Umbrella Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET), specifically for being an Impactful Policy Influencer while still working for the Government. I was so excited and extremely happy to receive the award.
"The award was the second of its kind. In 2013, I had also received, The Pearl of Africa Life Time Achievers Award. This was for my tireless work and contribution towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals in my work in the Ugandan Government."
Silvia Cenzano Villagarcia, Biological Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, 1995
Silvia's painting of her dearest Doberman Pinscher, Zulu, was selected as a finalist for the exhibition “Dog Days of Winter” at the AKC Museum of the Dog in NYC in February and March of this year. Her artwork, entitled “Mi Amigo ZULU” competed for the Best in Show. Congratulations Silvia!
Do you have an update you'd like to share with our alumni community? A new job, a life update, or something else? It could be the chance to reconnect with long-lost friends - or find others on a similar path since leaving Dundee.