I was raised in London, and moved in 2019 to study Biochemistry at the University of Bristol. I stayed at Bristol after, completing an MSc in Stem cells and Regeneration, and an MRes in Health Sciences.

I got my first taste of research science during a work experience placement at the Francis Crick studying morphogenesis and development of the optic lobe. I have a long love of food from working in kitchens, so I decided to combine my interests and have been pursuing a career in cellular agriculture and cultivated meat. I recently had an internship at Extracellular, working on end-product analysis and media development projects.

I have specialised in synthetic biology, scaffold development, and tissue engineering. In my research, I have developed and optimised 3D printing protocols for cardiovascular models and implants, using high (>80 mg/mL) concentration telocollagen to mimic the strong but elastic nature of arteries. My research interests are now in finding methods to support industrial scale cell culture, centred around spent media regeneration and protein-based scaffold production. 

Outside of academia/food, I love music, singing and playing bass, making and repairing speakers, and sound engineering.

I grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia before going to Canada to study biological physics for my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto. During my degree, I did a project in developing an affinity grid for cryo-EM applications with the Rubinstein laboratory. After I graduated, I worked as a research software developer in the Focused Ultrasound Laboratory at Sunnybrook Research Insitute in Toronto under Dr. Kullervo Hynynen, streamlining and developing the transcranial focused ultrasound simulation algorithm.  

My research interests have coalesced into the development of medical technology, particularly for brain health. I am really excited to explore different aspects of medical technology development, from computational simulations to bioelectronics. The CDT has been incredible in providing space for me to delve into different topics, while at the same time pursuing specific interest in brain health.  

Outside of my research endeavours, I enjoy teaching and sharing science with everyone. I have been a tutor and teaching assistant for many years, and I also write science communication articles, participate in engagement events, and recently started an Instagram account to share this CDT journey! 

In my spare time, you can find me at the dance studio, most frequently at the barre doing ballet, but I also enjoy some contemporary and Chinese classical dance. Or, you can find me huddled up with a book or some comics! 

Originally from Perthshire Scotland, I moved to Oxford to study Engineering Science in 2020. As I explored the course, I became interested in applying engineering to solving biological problems, and how it can contribute to creating more sustainable food systems. I gravitated towards projects that paired lab work with computational tools, working on using computational tools to inform scaffold microarchitectural design in my Masters project.

I found the Engineering Biology CDT and got so excited about the opportunity I decided to stay in Oxford another 4 years! Through my DPhil I’m interested in exploring bioprocess modelling approaches that scale from cellular behaviour to large bioreactors. In particular, how machine learning can be combined with cellular models in computationally efficient ways.

Outside of work, I love hiking in the Scottish countryside, or spending time at home reading or working on my latest crochet/sewing project.

I was born in London and raised in Dublin, where I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at University College Dublin. While completing my BSc, I had the opportunity to study and research abroad at UC Berkeley, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Copenhagen. These experiences broadened my horizons and exposed me to the world of bioengineering and synthetic biology.

My research experience spans metabolic engineering, systems biology and microfluidic platform development. During my DPhil, I intend to apply synthetic biology to programme and control microbial systems to perform complex biochemical functions.

I am passionate about engineering biology education and strengthening the connection between academic research and its societal impacts.

I grew up an avid Gaelic football player. Since college, I’ve taken up hiking and running, and my favourite activity has to be bringing friends to explore the nature surrounding whatever city/country we’re in!

My background is in engineering, and I have always been interested in applying maths to solve real-world challenges. I completed an MEng in Engineering Mathematics at the University of Bristol, where the diverse problems that I encountered sparked my interest in interdisciplinary research, ultimately leading me to the exciting field of Engineering Biology.

My masters project focused on the impact dynamics of a rotating ellipsoid (or a ‘bouncy egg’) – a surprisingly complicated system to model. For me, it highlighted the value of using dynamical systems theory to understand mathematically intricate phenomena, a notion I hope to carry into my future research.

So far on the CDT I’ve enjoyed getting out of my comfort zone to learn lab skills and gain hands-on cell culture experience. I’m now aiming to incorporate practical experimentation into my PhD, with interests in modelling cellular processes, and biomedical applications such as targeted drug delivery.

I’m originally from Cornwall so I’ve always had a love for the outdoors! When I’m not working, I enjoy running, hiking, or swimming, as well as reading a book or spending time with friends.

My interests lie in plant and algal synthetic biology – particularly, how the biodesign of photosynthetic organisms could improve sustainability in industries beyond agriculture. Examples of applications that interest me include agential living plant materials and artificial photosynthesis.

I have three years of research experience in plant molecular/synthetic biology labs – working on plant-pathogen molecular interactions at the University of Oxford, synthetic root microbiome communities at the University of Paul Sabatier and engineering root architectures at the Earlham Institute.

Prior to my biology studies, I completed an Art Foundation in 3D Design, where I developed algal bioplastics and studied their photochemical properties. This intersection between design and biology continues to shape how I think about sustainability. I am particularly interested in the self-repairing and self-assembling capacity of living systems. I believe that technologies harnessing these properties could reduce the energy demands of manufacturing, whilst also reshaping how humans interact with the material world through more symbiotic and life-centred design.

I completed an MSci in Biochemistry at the University of Bristol before continuing my master’s project as a research assistant in the Toye lab. During this time, I developed an interest in proteins as the fundamental machinery driving cellular processes and the possibilities offered by protein engineering to reshape biological systems.

I am particularly interested in the recent breakthroughs in computational protein design and their potential to create proteins with new or enhanced functionalities for therapeutic applications. I am also eager to deepen my understanding of mathematics and engineering principles to support my work in this area.

My previous laboratory experience includes designing proteins that bind to and functionalise red blood cells, as well as investigating how mutations to cellular motors influence their cellular activity and localisation. Beyond the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends and exploring new places through surfing and climbing.  

My background is in biochemistry. During my undergrad, I worked in a lab that studied adjuvant treatments for MRSA in clinically relevant strains. I analysed these strains through bioinformatics and established the design of a code to analyse the transcriptomic data. Through this work, I became greatly interested in the real world application of research which led me to doing my masters in synthetic biology at UCL. Here, I engineered yeast to improve mRNA stability with the purpose of designing a yeast-based mRNA vaccine.

I have a broad interests in immunotherapies, synthetic biology tools, genomics and biosensors. I’m also looking forward to exploring these topics more during the short term projects in the spring. I am from Bermuda and enjoy anything related to the water- I am currently learning how to windsurf! In the lab, I’ll be listening to podcasts. Outside of the lab, I enjoy field hockey, yoga and crafting.

I studied Engineering Mathematics at the University of Bristol, before completing an MSc in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing at the University of Oxford. During my undergraduate degree, I took a year out to work in industry as a Mechanical Engineer at Crux Product Design, a consultancy specialising in medical device design. This experience gave me valuable insight into how engineering principles can be applied in a practical, fast-paced, and interdisciplinary environment.

 Throughout my studies, I have developed a strong interest in the intersection between mathematics, engineering, and biology. In particular, the biological applications of mathematical modelling and how quantitative methods can be used to understand complex biological systems. My master’s dissertation developed a minimal a model for the self-generated chemotaxis of heterogeneous cell populations, with applications to key topics in mathematical biology, such as tissue development and morphogenesis.

I was drawn to the Engineering Biology CDT because of its multidisciplinary approach, which closely aligns with my academic background and research interests. I am excited by the opportunity to expand my biological knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to the growing field of engineering biology during my DPhil.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading and pottery, which offer a creative balance and a welcome change of pace from my academic work.

I grew up in Hong Kong before moving to the UK to study Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, with a fourth-year specialisation in Systems Biology. My master’s project involved developing a computational web tool that leverages the properties of RNA genotype-phenotype maps to facilitate rational aptamer design. 

 In 2023, I joined the International Undergraduate Summer School at the John Innes Centre, working in Prof. Matt Hutchings’ lab on pathogenicity island transfer from pathogenic Streptomyces strains into endophytic strains.

 The CDT has been a great fit for my interdisciplinary background and temperament. Currently, my research interests include genome design, molecular machines, and minimal biology.

 Outside of the lab, I am a composer and play the piano and cello. I also enjoy playing chess.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hi, I’m Sam. I grew up in Bristol, which is also where I studied—completing an MSci in Biochemistry with a focus on molecular biology and biotechnology. Molecular biology, especially the structural side, really fascinates me; I loved exploring how things work at an atomic level.

After graduating, I worked at the Bristol Vaccine Centre, where I was involved in RSV research using human samples. It was an eye-opening experience—our work helped encourage the government to consider a new vaccine, and I saw firsthand how academic research intersects with organisations like Pfizer and government funding.

At the CDT I get to explore everything from protein design—which feels a bit like building with molecular LEGO—to soft robotics and mathematical modelling of cells. Being in a cohort has been really valuable: you learn from different perspectives and get exposure to a wide range of research and technologies.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy watching films, playing the guitar, and singing.

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.

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.

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.