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Archana Ramesh (she/her)
PresidentHeya! I’m Archana, a second-year DPhil student at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, working on epilepsy genetics. In my free time, I enjoy reading books, catching up with my friends, and taking lots of photos everywhere I go!
In my role as MCR president, I am the representative of the graduate community at St John’s in various committees inside the College and within the wider University. Within the MCR, I chair the committee and general meetings and I oversee our MCR building. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or encounter any problems.
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Joseph Pollacco (he/him)
TreasurerHi, I’m Joe, a 1st year Interdisciplinary Biosciences DPhil working in mathematical biology. When not analysing esoteric equations or ‘convincing’ my code to run, I can be found singing, for perhaps with the Gilbert and Sullivan society, or in chapel choirs. You may also find me working out in Old Gym or running around Oxford.
As your treasurer, I am responsible for keeping the MCR’s bank account in the green, assisting in committee decisions with a financial component, and reimbursing expenses claims. I am also a member of the executive committee, who assist and oversee the functioning of the rest of the committee. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – I would be happy to hear from you!
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Imaan Wallace
SecretaryHello everyone! My name is Imaan and I’m a 3rd year DPhil Astrophysics student from South Africa. I currently work in the field of galaxy evolution, where I model the star formation histories of the galaxies observed by the James Webb Space Telescope. When my head isn’t lost in the clouds, I play piano, make YouTube Videos, and (try to) keep the MCR organised!
As MCR Secretary, I am responsible for organising committee meetings and OGMs, taking the minutes, and ensuring the MCR community is up-to-date on all our events. I also compile the weekly Newsletter during termtime, manage the room booking form and update the MCR calendar (as well as any other administrative tasks).
I hope to make the MCR experience as smooth as possible for you. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
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Cédric Pilatte
VictuallerHi! My name is Cédric and I am currently doing a DPhil in mathematics. When I’m not busy with my studies, I like to spend my time exploring my passion for food and drink. As one of the three Victuallers on the MCR committee, I have the pleasure of organizing highly enjoyable wine and cheese events, guest dinners, and other tasting events.
I joined the committee in Michaelmas Term 2022 and since then, we have been working hard to bring delicious food and great conversation to the members of the MCR. We are constantly experimenting with new drinks and atmospheres to surprise and delight everyone. So whether you’re looking to expand your palate or just enjoy a night out with friends, our events are sure to be a good time. I hope to see you at one of them soon!
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Sebastian Steffen
VictuallerHi, I’m Sebastian, a first year DPhil student in engineering science. I work on control theory applied to brain computer interfaces – specifically looking at how we can automate therapeutic brain stimulation devices used for treating Parkinson’s Disease so that they are responsive to the patient’s state, and can adapt to changes in the brain caused by ageing and disease progression.
My goal is to improve patient outcomes, reduce side effects, but also to create adaptive controllers that can work for a whole range of engineering systems.
Besides that, I am also a musician and you can hear my drumming on my band StonyBois’ songs (available on all streaming platforms 😉 ). You may also find me rowing for John’s.
My role on the MCR is Victualler. In this capacity, I have the great joy and privilege of organising wine and cheese tastings, as well as guest dinners for the college’s graduate community. If you have any ideas for other tasting events, recommendations for wine and cheese, or fun themes for our dinner, do not hesitate to get in touch!
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Thomas Groves
VictuallerBio on its way.
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Bomikazi Lupindo
Welfare OfficerHi there! My name is Bomikazi Lupindo, I am a Clinical Psychologist and a first year DPhil student at the Department of Experimental Psychology. I’m studying the impact of exposure to community violence on mental health and adjustment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In my role as a Welfare Officer, I am here to ensure that your well-being is a priority as an MCR member at St John’s. I am here to provide guidance and support relating to Welfare issues that may affect your academic performance.
I also organize engaging events that are intended to create a safe space for expression, connection and relating to other members of our MCR community. I am here to listen and support you the best way I can and hope you can trust us to help ensure your well-being.
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Mona Barkat
Welfare OfficerHello everyone! Mona Barkat here, one of three Welfare Officers. I’m a DPhil student in Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics in my second year.
Outside of academic life, I enjoy listening to music, practicing yoga, and preparing delicious meals.
Without a doubt, your academic achievement is just a reflection of your mental health and the environment in which you live.
As a Welfare Officer, I am here for you and your well-being, and we’re committed to giving you the help you need and maintaining a secure, healthy atmosphere. To achieve that, we should adopt a new approach that is based on trust. I trust you to ask for help and you trust me to help you. Let’s try to make it as simple as possible, you ask, we help.
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Gabriele Paone
Welfare OfficerHi! My name is Gabriele and I am a DPhil student in anthropology, interested in uncovering hidden talents developed by children who grow up in harsh environments around the world. Outside of academia, I like sport, playing guitar, and motorbikes.
As one of your welfare officers, I’m here to support the well-being of MCR members. Write me an email and I’ll be happy to take a walk with you in the college garden, or have a chat over a cup of tea.
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Annabel Hancock (she/her)
Culture OfficerI’m a second year DPhil student in Medieval history looking at how trust was formed between Catalan merchants of the Mediterranean. Outside the library, I enjoy climbing, baking, and dancing, and spend lots of time knitting.
As Culture Officer I organise various fun events for the MCR, from movie nights (with guaranteed snacks!) to cultural trips around Oxford, including theatre trips, comedy nights and some of the great talks that are on offer in our city. Following on from the last officer, I will hope to include some day trips further afield, to provide those all important opportunities to escape the Oxford bubble from time to time.
There are so many amazing cultural events in Oxford it’s hard to keep track of them all, and the interests of the MCR, so if you have any ideas of things you’d like to do or see, please get in touch!
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Claire Keene
Culture OfficerHi, I’m Claire, a doctor from South Africa doing a DPhil in Clinical Medicine. I am looking at patterns of patient engagement behaviour using routine health data, to explore how to target HIV interventions and improve services. Precision public health if you want to give it a sexy name!
As one of the Culture Officers, I organise book clubs, theatre trips and other cultural (or culture-associated) activities. We’re always open to suggestions!
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Lorika Shkreli (she/her)
Women’s OfficerHi all! I’m Lorika, a DPhil student in psychiatry looking at the effects of biological markers and drugs on emotional processing in anxiety. Outside my research, I enjoy travelling, meeting up with friends, doing any kind of creative stuff and nice food!
As your women’s officer, I represent the interests of women and non-binary people in college advocating for gender equality and a safe and inclusive environment. I will organise a mix of social events and critical discussions/talks to foster active engagement and raise awareness. If you have any ideas for events, workshops, talks or anything else, feel free to get in touch anytime! Book/film recommendations on this topic are also highly appreciated!!
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Rainy Dong
Women’s OfficerHi all! I’m Rainy, a DPhil student in psychology researching on children’s language and emotion development, and how emotional context may impact word learning.
Apart from my research, I enjoy travelling, playing table tennis, and having interesting discussions with people.
Together with Lorika, we will organise various events to support gender equality and create opportunities for women to interact and share achievements, challenges and wisdom. Feel free to get in touch and hope to see you around in college!
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Josh Werrett
Sports OfficerHi! I’m Josh and I’m a DPhil Classics student, looking into the relationship between religion, science, and magic in Egypt under the Roman Empire. Outside of academia, I enjoy reading, running, and playing rugby.
As your sports officer, I’ll be your first port-of-call for all sports-related matters in MCR life. I can point you to various college teams, as well as giving all the information you need about the college gyms and our sports cupboard. All in all, I’m here to help you become and stay active during your studies!
Please do feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!
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Simon Lichtinger
Environment and Ethics OfficerHi everyone! Simon here, second year DPhil student in computational biochemistry, specifically molecular simulation. Outside of work, I’m a keen amateur musician, runner and experimental cook.
As one of your MCR Environment and Ethics officers this year, I aim to promote a positive environmental and ethical stance within college by engaging with college officials and the MCR community. I am also involved in organising the allocation of MCR charity donations and various events around the year.
If you would like to know more or have any ideas how to make St John’s a greener and more sustainable place, I’m looking forward to your getting in touch!
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Fatemah Salimi
Environment and Ethics OfficerBio coming soon.
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Zepeng Cao
International Students’ OfficerHi! I’m Zepeng Cao, a first-year DPhil Chemistry student. I come from Beijing, China. I did my BSc and MSc at Durham University.
As one of the international officers, my role is to make the college more international and let our students have global perspectives. Briefly speaking, my job is to help international students to settle down well in Britain and encourage them to share their backgrounds. At the same time, I would also invite home students to come to learn about those cultures and make friends with the internationals.
To do my job, I will organise a wide range of international events to try foreign foods and games or to celebrate other festivals, e.g. Chinese New Year. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any event ideas or can help us.
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Filippos Sytilidis
International Students’ OfficerBio coming soon.
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Minying Huang (they/them)
LGBTQ+ OfficerHi! I’m Minying, one of your LGBTQ+ Officers and a third-year DPhil student in the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages. Unabashedly (sometimes abashedly) into 80s music, 90s dad fashion, poetry, and queer media.
As LGBTQ+ Officers, Sammi and I communicate the concerns, and advocate for the interests and welfare, of LGBTQ+ students within the MCR and to wider College bodies. We also can’t wait to see you at the social events we are planning, including film and game nights, crafts, bowling, and more!
If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas for us, or would like to have a confidential chat about anything, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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Bruno Marinic
LGBTQ+ OfficerHi! My name is Bruno, and I am a final year DPhil student in organic chemistry, working on developing new methods for dearomatizing nitrogen containing heterocycles.
In my free time I enjoy reading, political podcasts, and trash reality tv.
As LGBTQ+ officer I plan on continuing the great work Sammi and Minying have done over the past year including but not limited to advocating for LGBTQ+ issues in college and organising fun social events. If you have any suggestions about events or activities, we could run in college please don’t hesitate to contact us. Should you need someone to talk to be it queer or not I am always here to listen and have a confidential chat with.
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Alejandro De Los Angeles (he/him)
Disabled Students’ OfficerHi, I’m Alex and I am a DPhil student studying Psychiatry. My research concerns the genetics of psychiatric diseases and I am investigating the alternative splicing of voltage-gated calcium channels implicated in bipolar disorder. Outside of work, I enjoy Netflix, my PlayStation 5, long coffees with friends and swimming.
As your disabilities students officer, I represent disabled students here at St. John’s College. More generally, I promote awareness of disabilities and accessibility at St. John’s College. I am eager to help foster an inclusive graduate community, so please don’t hesitate to send me an email with any suggestions.
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Tahlia Smith
Disabled Students’ OfficerHi everyone. I am Tahlia and I am from Australia. Currently, I am an Oxford MSc student, studying global and area studies. The focus of my research revolves around international inequalities to access to outer space. My hobbies include language learning, salsa dancing and traveling.
As a disability students’ officer alongside Alex, I seek to support St John’s students with disabilities as well as promote disability awareness within the college.
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Sparshita Dey
Black and Minority Ethnic Students’ OfficerHi everyone! I’m Sparshita, a DPhil student in Particle Physics looking at the direct detection of Dark Matter. Outside of work, I’m often tinkering around with music, dancing, forcing people to let me draw their faces or baking random things!
As your BAME officer, I am there to listen to any issues raised by the BAME community in college but also to really promote diversity and inclusion of all backgrounds and cultures. I’m also looking forward to organizing various cultural events, music/dance-related events and definitely more food events and dinners!
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Nishant Chauhan
Black and Minority Ethnic Students’ OfficerHi, my name is Nishant and I’m one of your BME officers! I’m a DPhil in Earth Sciences looking at Coccolithophore Biogeochemistry in response to changing Carbonate Chemistry.
When I’m not in my lab, I’m either walking, cycling, cooking, or playing my guitar!
My role in the MCR is to make sure everyone, and I mean EVERYONE’S voice is being heard. At John’s, we’re big fans of celebrating diverse cultures so we organise college events to celebrate the various ethnic backgrounds the students come from. Reach out if you need to talk about anything or everything!
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Gustavo Fernandes
Interfaith OfficerHi! I’m Gustavo and I’m a first-year DPhil student in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies looking at “righteous sufferer” and penitential compositions from ancient Mesopotamia and the Hebrew Bible.
Outside of my academic work, I enjoy cooking, dancing, and going out with friends!
As your interfaith officer, my role is to promote inclusion and respect for all people of faith in college. I hope to organize events to celebrate various religious holidays and promote knowledge about different religious traditions. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas for events!
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Genevieve Hayes
Student Parents and Carers OfficerHey! I’m Gen, a DPhil student in Engineering Science with the Biomedical Image Analysis Research Cluster. The focus of my research is to identify risk factors of neurological disease such as dementia using fMRI and pupillometry. I thoroughly enjoy staying active through rowing, yoga, and outdoor adventures, and would never pass up an afternoon of crafts and tea.
As the Parents and Carers Officer, I represent the interests and concerns of any graduate students with children or caring responsibilities. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions, event ideas, or for a cup of tea!
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Charlotte Hand
Academic Affairs OfficerHi, I’m Charlotte, your Academic Officer. Apart from organizing Shut Up and Write sessions and the upcoming mentorship and networking programmes with the SCR, I represent the MCR academic interests and concerns at several college meetings (so please send any academic concerns my way!).
Outside of committee work, I am a slave to my DPhil in English and to the books I have bought but have yet to read.
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Returning OfficerVacant