Our Students

Cohort 1: 2024 entry

Bristol Students

Mr Felipe Xavier Buson

I’m from Brasília, the capital of Brazil, and got to know Engineering Biology during my Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences at the University of São Paulo. I participated in the iGEM competition between 2016 and 2018 and still hold ties to iGEM today as a member of their Engineering Committee. I then went to the University of Edinburgh for the MSc Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology, where I worked with Prof Baojun Wang on reviewing efforts to make synthetic biology parts libraries and developed BiopartsDB, my own take at a repository for genetic parts.

More recently, I spent a couple years at the Open Bioeconomy Lab at the University of Cambridge, where I worked on making the Open DNA Collections they distribute more accessible. This involved a lot of experience in cloning, protein expression, and laboratory automation.

For my PhD I’m interested in making Engineering Biology more reliable and predictable, by making standard genetic tools that can be used by other engineers. I’m also involved in synthetic biology standards as an Editor for the Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL).

Outside of science, I’m interested in playing and making games, and climbing rocks when the weather allows it.

Miss Yige Chen

I completed my undergraduate degree in Engineering Mathematics with a background in scientific computing, as well as computational and mathematical modeling of real-world systems. For my final-year project, I investigated methods for inferring interaction rules in swarming systems using local measurements and developed algorithms to accurately estimate swarm interaction parameters.

I am particularly interested in leveraging machine learning, mathematical modeling, and computational methods to develop engineering biology solutions and robotics-driven approaches for healthcare and biological applications, with potential integration of embodied AI.

Outside of work, I am part of a competitive Acappella group, performing a diverse repertoire of music. I also enjoy dancing, and listening to audiobooks.

Mr Johan Guillen Meza

I grew up in Costa Rica, surrounded by nature and great weather. I studied Electronics Engineering at the Costa Rican Institute of Technology, and it was during my last year (thanks to the iGEM competition) that I got introduced to engineering biology.

After that, I moved to the US to earn a master’s degree in Applied and Computational Mathematics at the University of Washington. My research interests lie on using computational and mathematical tools to improve engineering biology, and I’m especially into building AI models to engineer bacteria.

When I’m not working, I love sports (whether I’m watching them or playing) and I really enjoy being outdoors, watching movies, and taking walks to clear my mind.

Mr Sam Kemery

Mr Gil Krikler

Before joining the EngBio CDT, I studied biological natural sciences at Cambridge, focusing on both the biology of disease and the capsizing of rowing boats. I am passionate about interdisciplinary research, with my master’s degree in systems biology providing both experimental and computational expertise. I previously worked with the Rayner lab at CIMR to validate high-throughput AI-driven analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum proteome, and with the Fusco lab at the Cavendish Laboratory to explore methods for the engineering and characterisation of mutant bacteriophage. I was drawn to engineering biology as a field that is driven by collaborative problem-solving and real-world applications, and in my current research I hope to use engineered living systems to create smarter therapeutics. Since moving to Bristol, I have traded the river for the giddying heights of my local bouldering wall, and I’m looking forward to exploring the coast and countryside around the city.

Miss Maria Tasca

I am from a small town in Romania, but I came to the UK in 2020 (great year to move, I know) to study Mathematics at the University of Oxford, at Somerville College. In my second year, I became passionate about Mathematical Biology and I continued to take similar and relevant courses throughout my degree. I undertook a couple of summer research projects and my dissertation focused on modelling the spread of infectious diseases and exploring different situations.

I am interested in using mathematical models and tools in complex biological problems, gaining insights and, most importantly, acting on them and making up my own systems!, which is why I chose to switch gears and explore Engineering Biology. I am keen on developing solutions to real-life problems. While I don’t have a clear plan yet, I am excited to see what’s out there!

Other than that, you’ll find me reading for my two book clubs, thrifting or exploring Bristol! I am also the University of Bristol Ambassador for Women Who Build, a community that wants to encourage and empower female entrepreneurs (do check them out!).

Oxford Students

Mr James Bridson

I grew up in a beautiful place called Oxford, before studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge, with a focus on biochemistry and systems biology. My undergraduate research project in the Howe Lab addressed the challenge of how cyanobacterial biophotovoltaic devices can be engineered to optimise renewable energy production. I spent a summer in the Brophy Lab at Stanford designing, building, and testing inducible genetic circuits in plants, and in my master’s research project I investigated the gene regulatory networks that determine cell state in bacterial biofilms.

I find the process of engineering biological systems both humbling and exciting – humbling because of the astounding intricacy of evolved life, yet exciting because of the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the world. In my DPhil research, I’m interested in developing engineering biology solutions to problems in agriculture.

Outside of the lab, I love travelling, reading classic novels, and playing cricket and chess.

Mr Jack Dalton

I studied molecular bioengineering at Imperial College London as a President’s Scholar before transferring to The Australian National University to complete my Honours research on protein evolution and engineering with Professor Colin Jackson within the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology. Whilst at the ANU I was president of the Biology Students Society and founded the ANU iGEM team.

In my DPhil research I am interested in applying AI to engineering biology to solve environmental and sustainability challenges. I am also curious about the use of EngBio in space exploration. I am fortunate to be supported in my studies by a Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation PhD Scholarship and a BBSRC and EPSRC doctoral training scholarship.

I am currently involved in running two EngBio educational programs. I organise the Australasian Synthetic Biology Challenge and I am helping launch the Australian chapter of Nucleate.

Before starting my DPhil I worked for 2 years in environmental policy for the Australian Government, focussing first on consumer energy resources and then environmental and water policy.

Outside of work I play squash and touch rugby. I also enjoy hiking with my partner and our two dogs, surfing and skiing.

Miss Cecilia Gallego Rubio

I grew up in a small village in Spain before moving to the UK to complete a BSc in Biochemistry at Imperial College London. During my degree, I completed a Year in Research in the Harding Lab at the University of Glasgow. My project focused on elucidating and characterising iron transporter proteins in the generalist parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

I recently graduated with an MSc in Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Edinburgh. As part of my Master’s program, I undertook an industrial placement at Biotangents Limited, where I worked on optimising a point-of-need diagnostic device, using isothermal DNA amplification for the detection of bovine mastitis.

My academic interests lie in the application of Engineering Biology tools for developing diagnostics and therapeutics. One aspect of the CDT that particularly excites me is the opportunity to further enhance my mathematical and computational skills and apply them to biological systems with diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

In addition to my academic work, I have spent the past six years working as a personal tutor in sciences and languages, focusing primarily on providing supplementary education to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am also an amateur runner and triathlete and regularly compete in BUCS and other local races.

Mr Robin Henry

I am an engineer and computer scientist by training. Before getting into Engineering Biology, I worked as a Data Scientist at Habitat Energy (building optimization models of renewable energy assets in power markets), conducted research in power systems modelling and control using RL-based methods, and completed an MEng at The University of Edinburgh (a year of which I spent at CalTech) in Electronics and Computer Science.

Nowadays, I’m interested in how we can leverage engineering and computer science methods, tools, and techniques in order to better design and control biological systems. I think this is a super exciting time to be at the intersection of those fields!

Outside of work, you’ll probably find me hanging out with friends, playing football, hiking out in the woods/mountains, discussing startup ideas, or simply reading a good book.

Ms Natasha Kisseroudis

I grew up by the seaside in Greece, before moving to Edinburgh to pursue an undergraduate degree in Biotechnology. For the first two years of my degree, I felt uninspired by the breadth of content I was being exposed to and heavily considered switching to a different subject. It wasn’t until my third year where I discovered Synthetic Biology and its potential to engineer bacteria to produce industrial products from plastic waste, that my interest in science was reignited and I decided to further my education in this field. Consequently, during my fourth year Honour’s project at Edinburgh, I worked on light activated microbial growth under the supervision of the Wallace lab.

I then I moved to London to purse an MRes in Systems and Synthetic Biology at Imperial College London. My MRes project was a self-proposed idea and involved 3D printing cellulose-producing bacteria with microalgae under the supervision of Professor Tom Ellis and Dr. Ravinash Krishna Kumar.

During my PhD I aim to further my interest in 3D printing biomaterials and engineer 3D printed vasculature platforms for industrial and medical applications. Through my YouTube channel and public engagement with schools and communities, I aim to inspire others to pursue a career in science and showcase how this field can address current societal challenges.

Outside the lab, you’ll find me on the dance floor, sharing my love of dance with friends and encouraging them to join me in classes and social dancing.

Miss Lucy Slater

I’m an enthusiastic computer scientist who recently graduated from Sheffield University. I took a year out of university to work at Dstl as a research scientist, exploring cutting-edge technologies and their applications.  My main research focuses are computational modelling, machine learning and virtual reality, although I also enjoy robotics and bio-inspired hardware! My undergraduate project involved agent-based modelling of thresher shark hunting behaviour and their interactions with swarming bait-balls, with a focus on conservation and education.

Throughout my DPhil I’m interested in using virtual reality and machine learning to gain insight into biological behaviours, both on a cellular and organism level.

In my spare time, I enjoy video and board games, drawing, bouldering, pole dancing and (poorly!) rollerblading.

Mr Colin Veale

I am a passionate geneticist who carried out their BSc at University College Dublin (UCD). Here, I uncovered the potential of synthetic biology and its applications in human medicine. My undergraduate research project focused on exploring different methods of overcoming treatment resistance in prostate cancer. 

I took a year out to develop my skills as an entrepreneur as well as working as a research assistant in a cancer therapeutic and diagnostic laboratory. 

I recently graduated from the University of Oxford with an MSc in Applied Cancer Science where I investigated the development of extracellular vesicles for improved drug delivery. 

My research interests lie within the development of cell-based therapies for cancer and other difficult to treat diseases. I believe it is a very exciting time for this area of human medicine, with the help of computational and machine learning tools bringing this field forward. 

In my free time, I am a sports enthusiast and have been brought up on the traditional Irish sports of Hurling and Gaelic football. Recently, I have traded in the hurl and football for a rowing oar and you can find me in the early mornings out on the River Thames.