![](https://origin.theboatrace.org/wp-content/uploads/Carina-Graaf-4-700x996.jpg)
Carina Graf
Squads
Boat Race History
- 2022 – Cambridge Women’s Reserve Boat
- 2023 – Cambridge Women’s Blue Boat
About Carina:
Why did you choose PhD in Clinical Neuroscience?
I develop new techniques for brain imaging using magnetic resonance (MRI) and heavy hydrogen (a rare variant of normal hydrogen) called Deuterium. We can bind this substrate into other molecules such as glucose, a specifc type of sugar, and give it to cancer patients.
Deuterium metabolic imaging of glucose is a powerful tool for understanding how cells, including cancer cells, use glucose in the body. It can aid in early detection, precise localization, and monitoring of cancer, ultimately leading to more effective and personalized treatment strategies. It has similar benefits to PET imaging when staging cancer, but does not require ionising radiation.
Why did you first try rowing?
A friend suggested to try rowing to improve my mental health and I instantly got hooked.
Who introduced you to the sport of rowing?
Zoe Fettig-Winn at Vancouver, Canada
Where else have you rowed?
I recently went rowing in my home town Stuttgart and was in absolute awe of their local area as the river is enclosed by vineyards on both side, sheltering boats form the wind and providing an epic landscape.
I also rowed for my College, Emmanuel, during my first year of my PhD in COVID, before joining CUBC.
What are your proudest rowing achievements?
That is difficult to say, but probably my 3rd place in the BUCS Championship 2- in 2023.
Do you have a favourite Boat Race? Which one and why?
I’m still in awe of the 2022 Women’s Boat Race. The number of high calibre athletes with internation in both crews really raised the profile of women’s rowing and I felt so proud to follow their lead a year later in 2023.
What would winning The Boat Race mean to you?
Spending one of the best days of my life my my chosen rowing family.