ITV has announced an all-star broadcast line-up for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 this July, and among the names are two high-profile Cardiff Metropolitan University alumni, Beth Fisher and Nia Jones, alongside several Sport Broadcast graduates working across S4C and the BBC.

Beth Fisher, who studied Sport & Physical Education at Cardiff Met, represented Wales in hockey for 15 years, earning 44 caps. Since retiring from international sport, she has built an impressive media career and joined ITV Wales in 2019. This summer, she will report live from Wales fixtures as part of ITV’s national tournament coverage.

Nia Jones, also a Sport & PE graduate, boasts a dual-sport legacy as a former Wales netball captain and a footballer who currently plays for Swansea City. While at Cardiff Met, she led the university’s netball squad to BUCS Championship victory and was named FAW Young Player of the Year in 2011. Nia has now transitioned into commentary and joins ITV’s Euros team as a co-commentator.

Joining them on screen is Sioned Dafydd Rowlands, a graduate of Cardiff Met’s first ever Sport Broadcast cohort (Class of 2019), who will host S4C’s coverage live from Switzerland for the duration of the tournament. Sioned has previously presented Match of the Day Wales and Sgorio and covered global events including the men’s World Cup in Doha.

Behind the scenes, several more Sport Broadcast graduates will play key roles in bringing the tournament to life:

• Alexandra Richards (Class of 2021) is producing BBC Sport’s coverage from inside the Wales camp.
• She’ll be working alongside Greg Caine (also Class of 2021), who will operate the BBC’s daily camera content on the ground.
• Gabriella Jukes (Class of 2022) has produced the new BBC documentary “Together Stronger”, airing on July 3, which tells the story of the Wales women’s team’s journey to the Euros.

Joe Towns, Innovation Lead for Sport Broadcast Media at Cardiff Met, said: “Seeing Beth and Nia front and centre for ITV is a huge inspiration for our students. Both are elite athletes turned respected broadcasters, and their success shows how talent, insight and personality can create powerful voices in sport. Two women who have played sport at the highest level are now broadcasting on the biggest stage. It’s part of a trend where leading sportswomen now transition into media roles when their careers come to an end. But let’s be clear, you don’t get these roles unless you are knowledgeable, articulate, authentic, experienced and opinionated, and those are all qualities Beth and Nia have in abundance.

It’s also a proud moment for our course. Sioned Dafydd, one of our first ever Sport Broadcast graduates, is now hosting S4C’s tournament coverage, and we’ve got alumni like Alexandra, Greg and Gabriella producing BBC content every day from Switzerland. It’s brilliant to see Cardiff Met graduates shaping the way women’s football is told on screen.”

Audiences can tune in for Wales vs Netherlands On July 5, Wales vs France on July 9 and Wales vs England on July 13, with Cardiff Met voices front and centre, on the pitch, behind the camera and across our screens.

Two Cardiff Metropolitan University students have been selected in the Wales Women’s Rugby training squad ahead of Wales’ summer tour to Australia and the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England.

Sport, Physical Education and Health student Savannah Picton-Powell earned her call-up following standout Player of the Match performances in both the semi-final and final of Cardiff Met Women’s BUCS Super Rugby championship victory in April. She is joined in the Wales training squad by teammate and fellow student Lucy Isaac, a Sport Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage student.

Also named in the wider training squad are four players from Cardiff Met’s Welsh Rugby Union Player Development Centre (PDC East) team: Chiara Pearce, Isla McMullen, Seren Lockwood, and Tilly Vucaj.

The PDC at Cardiff Met plays a vital role in the Welsh Rugby Union’s national strategy to develop high-potential female players and strengthen the pathway to international rugby. In their ambition to be Wales’ Sporting University, Cardiff Met is proud to partner with the WRU to provide a professional training environment for emerging talent, led by Cardiff Met staff member and Welsh rugby legend, Elinor Snowsill.

Lisa Newton, Women’s Head Rugby Coach at Cardiff Met, said, “We’re incredibly proud to see our current students representing Wales on the international stage, and we hope they make a strong impact in Australia ahead of the World Cup later this year. It’s also fantastic to see our PDC players, some as young as under 18, earning recognition, which reflects both the depth of talent in Wales and the high-performance environment we offer at Cardiff Met. Through access to elite coaching, physiotherapy, athlete lifestyle and education support, rehabilitation services, and our state-of-the-art Archers Performance Centre gym, we are committed to developing players and preparing them for the demands of professional and international rugby.”

Wales face the Wallaroos in a two Test series, beginning on 26 July in Brisbane before the second international on 1 August in Sydney.

A new clinical study from Cardiff Metropolitan University – in collaboration with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) – has highlighted new biomedical insights into long-COVID and could take existing studies one step closer to finding treatment for patients living with the condition.

Long COVID is a new condition which can affect people who have previously had the COVID-19 virus. Symptoms can include heart disease, muscle and joint pain, extreme tiredness, coughing, shortness of breath and memory difficulties.

The ‘Seasonal variation in the associations between self-reported long-COVID symptoms and IL-6 signaling-related factors’ clinical study from Cardiff Met and CTM UHB included DNA and blood samples taken from 175 participants who had previously had the COVID-19 infection. The bloods taken measured levels of two proteins, ‘Interleukin-6 (IL-6)’ and ‘Interleukin-6 Receptor (IL-6R)’, while the DNA sample was used to detect which variant of IL-6R gene, known as ‘IL-6R genotype’, was present.

IL-6 and IL-6R are made by the immune system to fight infection. IL-6R is the receptor that IL-6 attaches to – like a key fitting into a lock. This connection allows IL-6 to send signals that trigger an immune response.

Craig Greenstock, 63, from Pontypridd took part in the study and was first admitted to hospital in December 2020 at the height of the pandemic after being diagnosed with COVID Pneumonitis. He was previously fit and healthy.

Craig went on to spend the next nine weeks in hospital, initially placed on a ventilator within the intensive care unit at CTM UHB before being moved to various wards.

He has since been diagnosed with long COVID and suffers with bouts of fatigue, breathlessness, brain fog, PTSD, night terrors and is being treated with three daily pumps for asthma related symptoms. A nodule was also discovered on Craig’s lung following the infection.

Craig said: “I can safely say that when I was first admitted to hospital and what then developed was the scariest time of my life, both physically and mentally.

“I was extremely unwell for some time, with my family being given 24 hours for my condition to improve. My symptoms following the virus have been so significant it has resulted in me having to retire from work.”

Participants were also asked to complete a questionnaire sharing their current long COVID symptoms at different times throughout the year to see if the change in seasons affected the condition, and to help get an accurate diagnosis.

The purpose of the study – which was funded through The Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Collaborative Research Fund – was to better understand how these IL-6-related factors contribute to the risk of long COVID and possibly initiate future strategies for using them as biomarkers predictive of risk.

The results from the participants tested highlighted that long COVID sufferers had elevated levels of IL-6 compared to those who had regained full health. The results also showed the risk of getting long COVID appeared to be increased in patients with a particular type of IL-6R genotype, known as the ‘AA’ genotype.

Dr Richard Webb, a Principal Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences in the Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Innovation and Development (CURIAD) at Cardiff Metropolitan University is leading on the study. He said: “While interpretation is complicated by seasonal variations, the findings from the study point towards possible future use of IL-6 and IL-6R genotype as biomarkers predictive of long COVID risk, which may bring advantages regarding the management and treatment of the illness.”

Dr Ceri Lynch is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine and Critical Care Research Lead at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and has worked alongside Cardiff Met on the long COVID symptoms study.

Dr Lynch said: “This collaborative research between Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Cardiff Metropolitan University has shown some interesting and exciting findings with regard to the risk factors for developing long Covid. We would like to continue this work, with the ultimate aim of identifying an effective drug treatment for the condition.”

Craig added: “I was very fortunate to have a positive attitude to life and fairly healthy, so strong enough, physically and mentally, to be able to fight the virus and ongoing recovery.

“I would be prepared to try any medicine that could improve my standard of life back to anywhere near where it was before I fell ill.”

The team of researchers from Cardiff Met and CTM UHB will now look at how the findings from this study can be integrated into and support The Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) – which includes leading researchers and clinicians from across the UK working together to understand and improve long-term health outcomes for patients who have been in hospital with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

The full clinical study is published in ScienceDirect: ‘Seasonal variation in the associations between self-reported long-COVID symptoms and IL-6 signalling-related factors (particularly the rs2228145 variant of the IL-6R gene)’

Professor Sheldon Hanton, Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Pro Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation, has been appointed Chair of the Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism Sub-Panel for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.

The REF is the UK’s national system for assessing the quality of research in higher education institutions. It informs the allocation of public research funding and ensures accountability for public investment.

The appointment, confirmed by the four UK higher education funding bodies in collaboration with the REF main panel chairs and advisory panel members, places Professor Hanton among the senior academic leaders responsible for guiding the UK’s national assessment of research quality.

As Chair, Professor Hanton will lead the sub-panel through the criteria setting phase, starting later this year, and oversee the unit’s work through to the final assessment of research submissions in 2029. He will play a key role in shaping how research within his field is evaluated across UK higher education institutions.

Reflecting on his appointment, Professor Hanton said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as Chair of the Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism Sub-Panel for the Research Excellence Framework 2029. The exercise is a vital and substantial component of our research landscape, and I very much look forward to working closely with colleagues to showcase the outstanding research in the discipline.”

The Pro Vice-Chancellor’s appointment is part of a broader announcement confirming the chairs and deputy chairs for all 34 expert REF sub-panels. These individuals will lead their respective panels through development and assessment phases, ensuring a process that is fair, robust and reflective of the breadth of research excellence in the UK.

While the majority of sub-panel chairs and sub-chairs have been confirmed, REF is now working to appoint their full panels, ensuring that membership reflects the full range of required expertise. These appointments will be announced in summer 2025.

REF Director Rebecca Fairbairn said: “I’m delighted to welcome this outstanding group to lead the REF 2029 sub-panels. Their deep expertise and broad perspectives will be central to building an assessment process that is fair, rigorous, and trusted by the research community.”

The full list of appointed sub-panel chairs and deputy chairs can be found via the Panels page on the REF website.

With exam season now underway, Aisling Pigott, Senior Lecturer on Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Human Nutrition & Dietetics BSc (Hons) Degree, shares some top tips for young people on the right foods to eat to fuel our brains and body during this busy period…

Aisling said: “Exams are more than just mentally demanding, they are physically exhausting. While we often talk about the stress and emotional pressure of exam season, we rarely mention the energy demands on the body, especially the brain.

“Your brain’s primary fuel is glucose (yes, sugar!), but that doesn’t mean eating lots of sweets and biscuits. High sugar snacks give a quick energy availability, but this is not sustained for steady focus. What really helps is keeping energy availability stable with balanced meals and snacks, while looking after your body during this intense period.”

Top tips:

Step Away and Eat Properly

Move away from your desk to eat regular, balanced meals. Giving the body space to digest can ease exam-related digestive discomfort and reminds you that nourishing the body is important!

Don’t Under-Fuel

Exam time is not the moment for skipping meals or restricting energy. The brain needs plenty of fuel to support concentration, memory, and learning.

Go for Wholegrains

Wholegrain bread, pasta, and rice provide slow-release energy thanks to their fibre content, helping keep energy steady through long study sessions.

Hit Your 5-a-Day

Fruit and vegetables aren’t just good for general health. Their fibre helps manage glucose availability, while their vitamins and minerals support immunity — reducing the risk of exam-season bugs.

Protein at Every Meal

Protein helps keep you fuller for longer and supports stable energy production. Think eggs, yoghurt, nuts, seeds, fish, meat, or plant proteins like lentils and beans.

Don’t Forget Vitamin D

A daily 10 microgram (10µg) vitamin D supplement is recommended in the UK during winter or for anyone spending long periods indoors (i.e. those spending time indoors studying) to promote bone health and support immunity.

What About Omega-3?

While omega-3 supplements haven’t been shown to boost exam performance, eating oily fish like salmon, sardines, or mackerel is great for heart health — and may have long-term brain benefits too.

High concentrations of light will be used to study the fast structural changes in single proteins linked to Alzheimer’s through the different disease stages in a first of its kind study.

It is hoped the research, led by Nottingham Trent University, will provide fresh insight into the emergence and progression of neurodegenerative disease, which is known to begin up to 20 years before symptoms appear.

Understanding these processes could pave the way for early-stage diagnosis and therapies for age-associated degenerative diseases, the researchers believe.

The work is being made possible through funding from the Academy of Medical Sciences and will be led by Dr Cuifeng Ying, who is part of the Advanced Optics and Photonics (AOP) group in the university’s School of Science and Technology.

Neurodegenerative disease begins when abnormal proteins begin to form in the brain – and early-stage diagnosis and potential therapies require the detection of these single malformed proteins from a large protein population.

Current technologies, however, are unable to monitor the motions and behaviour of these proteins in solution without modifying them, which it is argued could hamper our understanding of their function.

The work will involve building on a new technique developed by Dr Ying which makes it possible to isolate and study how single proteins behave and change over time in their natural environment and while they are still functional.

The individual proteins can be studied in their natural liquid environment, as the team’s technique can mimic the body by altering factors such as salt concentration, pH, or oxygen levels.

A very high concentration of light, with a beam transmitted through a specifically engineered nanostructure, can generate the right amount of force to grasp and hold a single protein – ten thousand times thinner than a strand of hair – within a fluid, without damaging it.

The technology is able to detect how the light is scatted and the researchers can analyse this unique data to reveal how the protein is behaving in real-time.

The researchers will characterise proteins extracted from fruit flies – which share a large percentage of genes with humans – at different disease stages.

The team will also investigate the responses in the proteins when exposed to different drugs.

Dementia, one of the primary symptoms of late-stage Alzheimer’s disease affects almost 1 million people in the UK and currently costs almost £35bn a year. This cost is projected to increase due to the increasing average age of the population.

“Innovative approaches are urgently needed to understand the triggers of these diseases, enabling earlier disease detection and treatment,” said Dr Ying.

She said: “Previously we’d have had to study many proteins together to see how the group of proteins responds, but through our work we are now able to monitor the behaviour of a single living protein.

“We know that neurodegenerative diseases can start many years before any symptoms appear, as these abnormal proteins aggregate in the brain.

“We hope that knowledge gleaned from our study could drive the development of early diagnosis and therapies for several age-related degenerative diseases, potentially reducing the number of people affected as well as associated healthcare costs.”

The work is being made possible through funding from the Academy of Medical Sciences’ Springboard programme, in partnership with the Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Wellcome and the British Heart Foundation.

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Research supported by the Springboard programme can help to address some of the most pressing health challenges, like antimicrobial resistance and cancer, by giving early-career researchers across the UK the opportunity to test their ideas.

“Through this programme we are supporting the next generation of researchers to lead their own groundbreaking research so that the UK can continue to be a pioneer in medical science.”

Professor James Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci, Vice-President (Non-Clinical) at the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “Each Springboard awardee brings fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that will ultimately translate to improved health outcomes for patients and the public. The Academy is proud to provide the financial resources and career development support needed to help these outstanding scientists establish their independent research careers.”