Trio of siblings gain PhDs from Newcastle University on same day
Congratulations to Sandra, Marian and Mina Adel Fares who are all graduating on campus this July with PhDs from Newcastle University Business School!
8 July 2026
It’s a family affair: triple celebrations for the Dr. Adel Fares family this summer
There is joy in the air this July as thousands of students mark the end of their studies on campus with our congregation ceremonies. And for one family in particular, the celebrations will be three times as big, with a trio of siblings all graduating with PhDs in Accounting and Finance on the same day!
Having arrived in the UK from Egypt in 2018 to study an MSc in Banking and Finance at Newcastle University’s London campus, sisters Sandra and Marian were quickly followed by younger brother Mina, who joined the next academic year. And now, all three are set to graduate from their PhD programmes at Newcastle University Business School this week.
Eldest sibling Sandra has focused her research on bank liquidity and financial stability, Marian on the impact of deposit insurance schemes on bank financial stability, and Mina’s PhD focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and sustainable finance.
Ahead of their graduation day on Wednesday 8 July, we spoke with the siblings to find out more about their time on campus and plans for the future.
A special journey – with a dose of sibling rivalry!
Having all gained our Master’s at Newcastle University’s London campus, we decided to continue our studies at Newcastle University Business School, moving up north to pursue our PhDs in Accounting and Finance. Without a doubt, having one another made this journey incredibly special.
A PhD is both rewarding and challenging, and there are inevitably moments of uncertainty, setbacks, and self-doubt. Having siblings who truly understood those experiences made all the difference.
Whenever one of us felt overwhelmed or questioned whether we could make it to the finish line, the other two would step in with encouragement, perspective, and reassurance. We celebrated every milestone together and reminded one another that even small steps were still progress.
As well as offering much-needed support to each other throughout their research, studying on campus together also provided a good dose of healthy sibling competition! But it was never about outperforming each other but rather motivating each other across the finish line.
The university has provided a supportive academic environment that has challenged us to grow as researchers, educators, and professionals.
Finding a second home in Newcastle
We all have incredibly fond memories of Newcastle. The university has provided a supportive academic environment that has challenged us to grow as researchers, educators, and professionals. We were fortunate to learn from outstanding academics and to be part of a diverse and welcoming research community.
The city itself quickly became a second home. Newcastle is vibrant, friendly, and full of character, and we met wonderful people from all over the world. Looking back, our years here have shaped us not only academically but personally as well, and we will always be grateful for that experience.
Keeping it in the family
Looking back, we realise this journey began long before our PhDs. Our father is a Professor of Finance, and from an early age, he instilled in us a deep appreciation for education, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge. Watching his dedication to teaching and research undoubtedly inspired the paths we chose.
Equally, none of this would have been possible without our mother, who holds a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA). She has been our greatest source of encouragement throughout every stage of our journey, celebrating every success while helping us navigate every challenge. Her unwavering belief in us gave us the confidence to keep going, even during the most difficult moments.
We are also incredibly grateful to our family, friends, supervisors, mentors, and colleagues who supported us over the years. A PhD is often described as a marathon, and we were fortunate to have such an extraordinary support system cheering us on every step of the way.
Graduating together is therefore much more than a shared academic milestone, it is a celebration of family, perseverance, and the people who believed in us before we believed in ourselves. It is a moment that we, and our family, will cherish for the rest of our lives.
Graduating together is therefore much more than a shared academic milestone, it is a celebration of family, perseverance, and the people who believed in us before we believed in ourselves.
An exciting new chapter
Although graduation marks the end of our PhD journey, we see it as the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
All three of us are passionate about remaining in academia: continuing to teach, mentor students, and conduct research that creates meaningful impact. At the same time, we are equally interested in engaging with industry, believing that the strongest ideas emerge when academic research and professional practice complement one another.
While our research interests have taken us in different directions, we share the same vision for our careers: to bridge academia and industry by producing research that informs practice, inspiring the next generation of students, and collaborating with organisations to address real-world challenges. We believe teaching, research, and professional engagement are mutually reinforcing, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead.