Team-Profiles</>
Meet the team Reza, graduate year BMS
Favorite hobby: Drinking tea
Outside of working hours: I enjoy working at home.
Favourite quote:Trust me I got this.
phoniex, graduate year Biochemistry
Favourite hobby: Hanging out with Bonnie and Clyde (my cats)
Outside of working hours: Lifting every day
Favourite quote: “Of course I am an organ donor, who wouldn’t want a piece
of this”
Hannah: Graduate year BMS
Favourite hobb: Taking Instagram photos
Outside of working hours: Taking Instagram photos
Favourite quote: “ food is life”
Kamile Minkelyte: Graduate year Pharmacology
Favorite hobby: Stretching
Outside of working hours: Drinking
Favourite quote: “What even is sober?”
Vivek Dhutia, graduate year computer scientist
Favourite hobby: coding and taking pictures
Outside of working hours: making websites
Favourite quote: none
Vivek Dhutia, graduate year computer scientist
Favourite hobby: coding and taking pictures
Outside of working hours: making websites
Favourite quote: none
Dr Caroline Smith – supervisor
“I’m an Academic lead for the University of Westminster iGEM team,
Biobusters. I’m course leader for the BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences and
co-ordinate strategic Learning and Teaching initiatives in Department of
Life Science. I mainly teach molecular biology to students at all levels
from foundation to postgraduate. Teaching is a favourite aspect of my job,
and I find it rewarding to see students reach their potential which is why
I’m supporting iGEM!
“I started cloning as a PhD student at Cornell University Medical College
using bacteria to express the proteins I was researching. My current
research projects focus on melanocortin signalling and endothelial biology.
“Other stuff – I’m a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a
Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, member of the British
Pharmacological Society and a Local Ambassador for the Biochemical Society
(who kindly sponsored the iGEM UK meet up at Westminster on 19th
August).
“Non-work related – I enjoy walking, cycling, theatre and chocolate.”
Amy MacLatchy- PhD student/co-ordinator
“I am the co-ordinator of the Biobusters, the 2017 Westminster iGEM team.
Having competed in iGEM 2015 I appreciate how important reaching the
deadlines. Therefore, I am the individual breathing down the teams back to
ensure they are met.
“My research is investigating the use of bolaamphiphiles, compounds
composed of long carbon chains attached to polar head groups with the
potential to form vesicles, as a drug delivery system for the treatment of
diseases of the brain. This is quite removed from the of work the
Biobusters. However, I feel it is an important aspect of research- to
incorporate and develop skills and techniques from other disciplines.”
Dr Sarah K Coleman – Secondary supervisor
I am the support academic for the University of Westminster iGEM team
‘BioBusters’. I lead and teach on our large core first year Biochemistry
module. I also teach aspects of Science History, Philosophy and Practice,
and on a module which brings Science students and Arts students together to
co-create projects. It is exciting to step - with the students - out of the
standard teaching zone of lecture room and teaching laboratory; to assist
in helping the students to challenge themselves and succeed. Thus, I am
involved with iGEM.
My research focuses on ionotropic Glutamate receptors and involves
molecular biology, gene manipulation, protein expression to examine their
assembly and interactions. Professionally, I am a member of the Biochemical
Society, the British Neuroscience Association and the Society for
Neuroscience (USA).
When not teaching or researching I like going to music concerts, the
theatre or playing squash.