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A couple who met at primary school got their PhDs at Teesside University on the same day. Dr Lucy Butler and Dr Nathan Coles went on to study together at college and finally got together

during the second year of their PhD studies. The academics, both 27 and from Ingleby Barwick, first met as children at Whinstone Primary and attended All Saints Academy and Bede Sixth Form.

Their uncannily similar paths then took them both to Teesside University to initially complete undergraduate degrees - Lucy to study biological sciences, while Nathan studied biomedical

sciences. Both graduated from their degrees with First Class Honours before progressing to PhD study at the university’s National Horizons Centre. They got engaged this year and this week

celebrated their graduations in the first academic awards ceremonies held in the university's new state-of-the-art Digital Life building. Lucy, who works as a lecturer in bioinformatics

in the university’s School of Health & Life Sciences, said: "After graduating from our first degrees, we learned about the opening of the National Horizons Centre, an incredible,

state-of-the-art facility for biological research. "It was the perfect opportunity to stay close to home while progressing in our academic careers. I joined as a PhD student, and Nathan

completed his Master of Research before also starting a PhD at the NHC. “The centre's cutting-edge resources and supportive environment made it an ideal place for our research. My

career journey has been proudly rooted at Teesside University.” Nathan added: “Teesside has truly shaped who we are, both personally and professionally. From being students to becoming

researchers and now staff, it’s been an amazing journey. “The main reason we chose Teesside University is that we're very family-oriented and wanted to stay close to home to support our

loved ones. That said, the university’s growing campus, and new courses, made the decision even easier.” Lucy added: “We’ve made great friends, found our passions, and been part of a

university that genuinely cares. We’re proud to be part of the Teesside University community, and we’re excited to see where it takes us next.” A total of 11 graduation ceremonies are being

held throughout the week. Graduates and their guests are among the first to see inside the university’s first dedicated events space which forms part of the new building. It is designed to

transform digital and technology education in the Tees Valley and beyond. Proceedings from each ceremony are being shown on the big screen in the Campus Heart, as well as in the Students’

Union. They are taking place ahead of the traditional summer graduations, which will continue in July. JOIN TEESSIDE LIVE'S WHATSAPP COMMUNITY FOR TOP STORIES AND BREAKING NEWS SENT

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