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St. John's College Oxford

Middle Common Room

MCR Committee 2022-23

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  • Archana Ramesh

    Archana Ramesh (she/her)
    President

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    Heya! 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.

  • Stanislas Lalanne

    Stanislas Lalanne (he/him)
    Vice President

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    Hi! I’m Stan, a second-year DPhil Economics student, doing applied micro/public economics.

    As Vice President my biggest responsibilities are to run the room ballot in Trinity term, the couples ballot in Hillary Term, and assist with negotiations between the MCR and College. I was previously social secretary and was in charge of organizing the 2021 freshers’ week, as well as some other social events.

    Outside of work, I do fencing, tennis, running, some horse riding, and frequent board games. If you have any questions about the room ballot or other issues, please feel free to get in touch!

  • Joseph Pollaco

    Joseph Pollacco (he/him)
    Treasurer

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    Hi, 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!

  • Gabrielle Samra

    Gabrielle Samra (she/her)
    Secretary

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    Hi everyone! My name is Gabby, and I’m an MSt in Medieval Studies student. My research interests include medieval visions of the infernal and cultural conceptions of cannibalism (don’t worry, my role in the MCR doesn’t involve handling the cuisine!). I love to read, hike, and pretend that I am capable of cooking edible food.

    My responsibilities as MCR Secretary include organizing committee meetings and OGMs, recording the minutes of these assemblies, and disseminating the relevant details to the wider MCR Community. I am also in charge of compiling the MCR newsletter, managing the MCR calendar and related room bookings, and any other associated administrative tasks. In addition, I function as a member of the MCR Executive Committee alongside the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!

  • David Heath

    David Heath
    Victualler

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    I am David Heath, one of three victuallers of the St Johns MCR committee. Outside of enjoying viticulture (perhaps a bit too much) and cheese (definitely too much), my DPhil focuses on designing and improving knee replacements for patients with osteoarthritis, aiming to increase patient outcomes after surgery.

    I am originally from South Africa where the long-established culture of sharing great food and wine with good company is inculcated into us from an early age. Since moving over to the UK my family and I have continued to share in this culture with friends and family, and I look forward to sharing and encouraging this culture with the St Johns MCR community over the next year.

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    Robert-Mihai Neagu
    Victualler

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    Bio on its way.

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    Thomas Groves
    Victualler

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    Bio on its way.

  • Filippos Ilarion Sytilidis

    Filippos Sytilidis (he/him)
    Welfare Officer

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    Hi all! I am a second year DPhil student studying Mathematics. When not thinking about maths, you will find me exploring various walking paths around Oxford, attempting to practice origami and experiment with baking.

    As one of your welfare officers, I am here to provide a listening ear, help you navigate any challenges you might be facing and advocate for students’ mental health and wellbeing. I am very happy to chat about anything, from concerns to suggestions, so you are always welcome to reach out!

  • Grace O'Duffy

    Grace O'Duffy
    Welfare Officer

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    Hi! I’m Grace and I am one of the Welfare Officers, alongside Filippos. I’m studying for a DPhil in English, specialising in Old Norse literature (essentially Viking literature!), and when I’m not reading about medieval Icelandic women, I can be found cooking, baking, playing the guitar or painting.

    As Welfare Officer, I am here to help you with any concerns you have relating to your general wellbeing — whether it be sexual or mental health concerns, or just if you need someone to talk to. On a less serious level, we organise brunches several times during the term to help raise the spirits amid deadlines. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything!

  • Judit Molnár

    Judit Molnár
    Social Secretary

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    Hello! My name is Judit Molnár and I am one of the Social Secretaries. This year, I will be in the role for the second time – I had so much fun last year that I decided to keep going.

    I am originally from Hungary and here at St John’s I am a DPhil student in Anthropology, focusing on migration and diasporas. I love hiking, camping and travelling and some fun facts about me are that I have lived in 13 countries and speak 7 languages.

    I am super keen to organise fun events, for which the main components are amusing activities, friends and delicious food. Amongst some past events that I organised for the MCR were hikes, a potluck, an escape room, a mini golf, boardgame nights, ice skating and loads more. What I am the proudest of is the day I cooked a 4-course Hungarian meal for 40 MCR members!
    I hope to see many of you at the upcoming events!

  • Annabel Hancock

    Annabel Hancock (she/her)
    Culture Officer

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    I’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!

  • Lorika Shkreli

    Lorika Shkreli (she/her)
    Women’s Officer

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    Hi 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!!

  • Joshua Werrett

    Josh Werrett
    Sports Officer

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    Hi! 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!

  • Simon Lichtinger

    Simon Lichtinger
    Environment and Ethics Officer

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    Hi 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!

  • Zepeng Cao - International Officer

    Zepeng Cao
    International Students’ Officer

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    Hi! 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.

  • Minying Huang

    Minying Huang (they/them)
    LGBTQ Officer

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    Hi! 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.

  • Sammi Wei

    Sammi Wei
    LGBTQ Officer

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    Hey folks, Sammi here! I’m a first-and-only-year MBA with a strong bias for a decentralized future, i.e. you can talk to me about anything queer, and anything blockchain/crypto/Web 3.0. Outside of my course, I run ops at a tech start-up and lead the business and research work streams in the OxfordDAO. I love big breakfasts, cycling, and cats (especially if there are rainbows or unicorns attached to said cats in some way).

    As someone who has benefited from queer mentors for most of my adult life, I want to pay it forward as one of your two LGBTQ+ Officers. We are adding some new events to the year, queer board games, a queer film club, and hopefully a way for alumni and older students to be a professional and personal resource to the queer youth in our MCR.

  • Alejandro de los Angeles

    Alejandro De Los Angeles (he/him)
    Disabled Students’ Officer

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    Hi, 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.

  • Björn Vahsen

    Björn Vahsen (he/him)
    Returning Officer

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    Hi! I’m Björn, a third-year DPhil student in Clinical Neurosciences, investigating microglia (brain-resident immune cells) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. I also did my master’s at John’s, so this is my fourth year here! There’s quite a good chance to find me in the lab if you’re looking for me – outside of the lab, I enjoy meeting up with friends for a coffee or a pint, watching (trashy) tv shows, and attending St John’s MCR events.

    As Returning Officer, I’m responsible for running by-elections and the elections for the next MCR committee and I also take care of the seldom-used complaints procedure. I am also in charge of Sunday cake, which is exactly what is sounds like, free cake in the MCR on Sundays!

  • Sparshita Dey

    Sparshita Dey
    Black and Minority Ethnic Students’ Officer

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    Hi 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!

  • Genevieve Hayes

    Genevieve Hayes
    Student Parents and Carers Officer

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    Hey! 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!

  • Hugh Goatcher

    Hugh Goatcher (he/him)
    Academic Affairs Officer

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    Hey everyone! I’m a one-year MSc in Advanced Computer Science student. I enjoy being in musical ensembles, playing recreational sports, going to MCR events, hangout out with friends, watching TV/movies, playing games.

    I’m hoping to help restart Sunday cake (free cake ~every second Sunday) and lecture suppers in Trinity term.

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    Vacant
    Welfare Officer

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    Vacant

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    Social Secretary

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    Social Secretary

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    Culture Officer

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    Women’s Officer

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    Vacant

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    Environment and Ethics Officer

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    Vacant

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    International Students’ Officer

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    Interfaith Officer

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    Disabled Students’ Officer

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    Black and Minority Ethnic Students’ Officer

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All photographs by Kelli Francis-Staite
(except main header image and committee members).

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