Teenager who researched medical cannabis to study at Oxford
Ariana, from Barry in Wales, carried out research examining the extent THC, a component of cannabis, can 'negatively affect sleep architecture' as part of her studies.
The project highlighted the drug's promise, as well as gaps in existing research.
Ariana Howells said her research into medical cannabis identified a need for more unbiased study (Neil Phillips Photo and Film/PA)
'There were only seven studies worth citing,' Ariana, a scholarship student at Cardiff Sixth Form College, said.
'I expected clearer answers, but what I found was a real need for more in-depth, unbiased research. This is something I want to keep exploring at university and beyond.'
Ariana's interest in medical cannabis is personal as well as academic.
Her mother lives with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition with no cure, and medical cannabis has played a crucial role in improving her quality of life.
Her parents run a medical cannabis clinic in Wales – Cannabis Clinic Cardiff – where the teenager has spent the last two years helping with admin and learning about the evolving science behind the plant-based treatment.
She said: 'Seeing my mum's condition and the way cannabis helped her and the patients who visit our clinic really opened my eyes to its medical potential.
'My dad is also a senior psychiatrist, so I've grown up in a household where science and care come together.'
Outside of school, Ariana earned gold in the Biology Olympiad, reached the semi-finals in the International Biology Bowl, and is also a competitive ice skater, having competed in the juvenile British championships in 2020 for synchronised ice skating.
Now preparing for Oxford, Ariana plans to channel her energy into drug development and mental health research – with a special interest in how medical cannabis could one day transform care.
Ariana Howells achieved three A*s and one A (Neil Phillips Photo and Film Ltd/PA)
'There's still stigma and strong media opinions,' she said.
'But science is about asking difficult questions and being open to where the evidence leads.'
Welsh Education Secretary Lynne Neagle extended her congratulations to students picking up their results on Thursday.
She said: 'Every learner opening their results today has earned the right to feel immense pride in what they've accomplished, and these achievements demonstrate remarkable determination.
'As you look towards your future, whether that involves starting an apprenticeship, entering employment, or beginning studies at university, I wish you 'pob lwc'.'
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BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
Welsh teenager researching medical cannabis to study at Oxford
A teenager who has secured a spot at the University of Oxford says the way cannabis has helped her mother's condition "opened my eyes to its medical potential".Ariana Howells, 17, from Barry in Wales, who achieved three A*s and one A in A-level biology, chemistry, maths, and English literature, plus 97% in her Extended Project Qualification, will now take her place at St Hilda College to study interest in medical cannabis has highlighted the drug's promise, as well as gaps in existing said that despite "stigma and strong media opinions", science was about "being open to where the evidence leads". Ariana, who is a scholarship student at Cardiff Sixth Form College, examined the extent THC, a component of cannabis, can "negatively affect sleep architecture" as part of her studies."There were only seven studies worth citing," Ariana said."I expected clearer answers, but what I found was a real need for more in-depth, unbiased research. "This is something I want to keep exploring at university and beyond."Her mother lives with Crohn's disease, an incurable chronic inflammatory bowel believes medical cannabis has played a crucial role in improving her quality of parents run Cannabis Clinic Cardiff where the teenager has spent the last two years helping with admin and learning about the evolving science behind the plant-based treatment."Seeing my mum's condition and the way cannabis helped her and the patients who visit our clinic really opened my eyes to its medical potential," she said."My dad is also a senior psychiatrist, so I've grown up in a household where science and care come together."Outside of school, she has earned gold in the Biology Olympiad and is a competitive ice preparation for Oxford, Ariana plans to channel her energy into drug development and mental health research, and she is especially interested how medical cannabis could one day transform care."There's still stigma and strong media opinions," she said."But science is about asking difficult questions and being open to where the evidence leads." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
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an hour ago
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South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
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Teenager who researched medical cannabis to study at Oxford
Ariana Howells, 17, achieved three A*s and one A in A-level biology, chemistry, maths, and English literature, plus 97% in her Extended Project Qualification, and will now take her place at Oxford University's St Hilda College to study biochemistry. Ariana, from Barry in Wales, carried out research examining the extent THC, a component of cannabis, can 'negatively affect sleep architecture' as part of her studies. The project highlighted the drug's promise, as well as gaps in existing research. 'There were only seven studies worth citing,' Ariana, a scholarship student at Cardiff Sixth Form College, said. 'I expected clearer answers, but what I found was a real need for more in-depth, unbiased research. This is something I want to keep exploring at university and beyond.' Ariana's interest in medical cannabis is personal as well as academic. Her mother lives with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition with no cure, and medical cannabis has played a crucial role in improving her quality of life. Her parents run a medical cannabis clinic in Wales – Cannabis Clinic Cardiff – where the teenager has spent the last two years helping with admin and learning about the evolving science behind the plant-based treatment. She said: 'Seeing my mum's condition and the way cannabis helped her and the patients who visit our clinic really opened my eyes to its medical potential. 'My dad is also a senior psychiatrist, so I've grown up in a household where science and care come together.' Outside of school, Ariana earned gold in the Biology Olympiad, reached the semi-finals in the International Biology Bowl, and is also a competitive ice skater, having competed in the juvenile British championships in 2020 for synchronised ice skating. Now preparing for Oxford, Ariana plans to channel her energy into drug development and mental health research – with a special interest in how medical cannabis could one day transform care. 'There's still stigma and strong media opinions,' she said. 'But science is about asking difficult questions and being open to where the evidence leads.' Welsh Education Secretary Lynne Neagle extended her congratulations to students picking up their results on Thursday. She said: 'Every learner opening their results today has earned the right to feel immense pride in what they've accomplished, and these achievements demonstrate remarkable determination. 'As you look towards your future, whether that involves starting an apprenticeship, entering employment, or beginning studies at university, I wish you 'pob lwc'.'
