Ariana "the Explora" Mirzarafie-Ahi

BSc Biological Science Graduate, Birkbeck, University of London

Ariana was offered a place at Birkbeck in 2011. At this time, higher education reforms took over with tuition fees tripling and the removal of part-time education grants. She feels privileged to have gone to such a distinctive institute at the heart of London and owes her great academic experience to Birkbeck.

Ariana graduated this year from Birkbeck, University of London with a BSc in Biological Sciences. Her final year project was on investigating protein nano cages, and throughout the years had research internships on protein crystallography, tissue engineering and bioinformatics. After iGEM Ariana is starting a PhD in Interdisciplinary Biosciences at UCL.

Barbara "Babz" Steijl

3rd year BSc Molecular Biology? Birkbeck, University of London

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Elliot Paris

Graduate MSci in Natural Sciences, University College London

A University College London MSci Natural Sciences 2015 Graduate, where his major was Genetics, Evolution & Environment and his minor was Synthetic Organic Chemistry. iGEM offered a unique opportunity for him to bridge his degree disciplines with invaluable synthetic biology experience; the field in which he wishes to acquire a doctorate position.

The first in his family to go to University, he feels privileged to be a part of the first Birkbeck team and all that it represents – determination, perseverance, progression and success. Besides his desire to implement synthetic biology on healthcare, one long-term goal of his is to engineer organisms that can reverse drivers positively feeding back into climate change. A football fanatic and player alike - he eats like a pig, drinks like a fish and cycles with animosity.

Luba Prout

Graduate BSc Molecular Biology? Birkbeck College, University of London

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Mervyn Richardson

2nd Year BSc Chemical & Molecular Biology, Birkbeck, University of London

For the last 9 years, Mervyn has been working in the logistics industry at DHL Express. He has always been fascinated by genetics and finds the intricacies of the bio-molecular world intellectually stimulating. Now, Mervyn hopes to embark on a new and rewarding career in the biosciences.

Mervyn is currently working at DHL and studying towards a BSc in chemical & molecular biology at Birkbeck University of London. He feels privileged to be in the first iGEM team to represent Birkbeck and is committed to setting a high standard paving the way for successive teams in the future. His main reasons for joining the team was to improve on lab skills & work towards solving the issue of diagnostics at the point of care in developing countries.

Rachel Wellman

3rd year BSc Molecular Biology? Birkbeck, University of London

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Sean Ross Craig

Graduate BSc(hons) in Microbiology University of Dundee, MRes Microbiology Graduate Birkbeck, University of London

A University of Dundee BSc Microbiology 2012 Graduate, he worked as a chef for a year and a half after graduation. Birkbeck, University of London gave Sean the opportunity to study the subject that he loves and work at the same time. He was able to complete his MRes due to the flexibility of Birkbeck. Without an institution such as Birkbeck offering the flexibility in study, he would not have been able to obtain a research based post-graduate qualification. Being a part of the iGEM team means a lot to Sean & he hopes to give back to the great institute that provided him with the opportunity to pursue a career in academic science.

When Sean is not looking at Biosynthetic pathways or dreaming up scientific ideas for the good of mankind sean enjoys playing & watching football. He also has a keen interest in nature. He has the pace to keep up with Elliot on the eating front (but doesn’t have the stamina to eat the sheer volume) however, does have the stamina on the drinking front.

Shapoor Mohamadi

3rd year BSc Molecular Biology? Birkbeck, University of London

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Tim Walker

Graduate BSc(hons) Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) University of Edinbrough, MRes Microbiology (Distinction) Graduate Birkbeck, University of London

Tim is fascinated by the rich diversity of the microbial world, and how this can be utilised for biotechnological and medical usage.

During this time he felt restless and enrolled on the part-time MSc Microbiology course at Birkbeck. Almost immediately he rediscovered his passion for microbiology and the following year he quit recruitment and transferred to a full-time MRes research project. The project was to assess the activity of a light-activated antimicrobial surface. "Despite blowing my life savings and having to also work part-time to support myself, it was the best decision I've ever made". He fell in love with research and his hard work has earnt me a BBSRC PhD scholarship to investigate the biosynthetic capabilities of Actinomycetes."

Tim's effort in the Owligos team is around Practice & Policy and Sponsorship. Tim is proud to be a part of the inaugural Birkbeck iGEM team because, without the flexible learning opportunities they offer to full-time working people, he wouldn't have been able to complete a Masters and wouldn't now be living his dream as a research microbiologist. Tim is very excited by the project we are developing and looks forward to showing everyone at the Giant Jamboree everything we have achieved!

Wayne Pires

Graduate BSc in Molecular Biology? Birkbeck College, University of London

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My Name

Graduate X in Y, University

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Pedro Tizei

Graduate X in Y, University

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Yan-Kay Ho

Graduate MSci in Natural Sciences, University College London

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