She's the first foot specialist with a PhD in her native Malta after graduating at the University of Brighton.
But Cynthia Formosa, 42, can't explain why she entered the profession: "I can't tell you what really attracted me to podiatry 25 years ago. It was still relatively new so we knew very little about it, but I don't regret going into the profession.
"I enjoyed every minute I spent in Brighton and regret that it is over in a way, and I will miss my trips to the UK.
"I am very lucky to have found excellent supervisors and help from all academic and non-academic staff at Brighton."
Cynthia, who was also the first podiatrist in Malta with a Masters, also gained from Brighton, is now working back on her Mediterranean island as head of the Podiatry School at the University of Malta.
She plans to start her own Masters programme there next year and a PhD programme in about five years time.
Find out more about podiatry
