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Christopher D'Urso
PresidentI’m a second-year DPhil in Public Policy student, investigating the use of alternatives to extradition in United States prosecutions of transnational cybercrime. When I’m not working at the Blavatnik School of Government and pondering how to catch international cybercriminals, you can usually find me rowing with the St John’s College Boat Club, eating lunch and dinner in Hall, or watching American court shows.
As MCR President, I represent the St John’s graduate student community before College and University committees, chair MCR committee and general meetings, and oversee our MCR building. If there is any problem you are facing or issue you want addressed in the MCR or College, you can contact me at the link above and I can help you bring it to the relevant parties.
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Maja Friedemann
Vice PresidentHi! I’m a first year DPhil student in Experimental Psychology looking at the neural basis of confidence in decision-making. When I’m not in the lab, you can find me in the Kendrew gym, in the Boat House or Erg Room, or at the social events organised by our amazing committee members.
As your Vice President, I organise the room ballots, represent your views at College meetings, and support other committee members in their roles. I am also your point of contact for any issues regarding discrimination or unequal treatment not covered by other committee members.
If you have any suggestions, concerns, questions, or just want to chat, I am more than happy to hear from you!
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Diego Berdeja Suarez
TreasurerHi all! My name is Diego and I am your current treasurer. My job boils down to keeping track of the MCR books, making and receiving payments, deviating funds for my personal gain, and assisting other members of the executive committee.
On a more personal note, I am a DPhil student going into his fourth year in Maths, and fifth year in Oxford overall! Get in touch if you wish to discuss quantum strings, doggos, cattos, or any other sort of animal.
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Alex Waldman
SecretaryI’m a US-based medical student and second-year DPhil participating in the National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program where I investigate the genetics and neuropathology of multiple sclerosis. Outside of the research laboratory, I enjoy traveling, participating in the Oxford musical theater scene, and attending St. John’s MCR events.
As MCR Secretary, I am responsible for keeping the MCR organized administratively and promoting institutional memory by taking meeting minutes, disseminating our newsletter, and managing our calendar. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. Overall, my overarching goal as a committee member is to ensure that all students within the St. John’s MCR community feel warmly welcomed and adequately supported.
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Gregory Howgego
VictuallerHi! I’m Greg, a 4th year medical student! I’ve always loved cooking and somewhat embarrassingly since coming to John’s I’ve developed an interest in wine as well. I’m also a new recruit to the climbing fad, and I enjoy cycling and skiing as well!
The Victuallers put on some of the best events going. There’s the guest dinners – twice termly black tie dinners with free flowing wine and delicious food, as well as a prosecco reception, and cheese and after dinner drinks afters – then there’s the MCR/SCR wine and cheese nights where we get together to try whatever wine college will give us, paired with some delicious cheese from a local Oxford company.
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Tara Diviney
VictuallerHi everyone! My name is Tara and I am one of your Victuallers on this year’s MCR committee. I am a first year DPhil in Neuroscience and this is my second year at St John’s having completed my MSc last year. When I’m not in the lab you will find me rowing with St. John’s boat club, running in Port Meadows or at one of our welfare brunches and other MCR events.
As Victualler, I am very excited to organise MCR Guest Dinners and cheese and wine nights. Guest dinners happen twice per term where MCR members can bring guests from outside college to a three course formal in hall complete with a Prosecco reception and second desserts in the MCR.
If you have any suggestions or questions about our events please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
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Elise Meijer
VictuallerHi! My name is Elise and I’m just starting the second year of my DPhil in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, looking at brain circuits regulating sleep and anxiety.
Some other things I enjoy are exploring the Oxford area on my bike, spending time at the river with the college boat club, and trying out new baking recipes.
As one of the victuallers, I have the wonderful task of organising guest dinners and wine and cheese nights for the MCR. If you have any suggestions for the menu, recommendations for local cheese sellers, or an idea for a fun guest dinner theme, do not hesitate to get in touch with me via email. Hope to see you there!
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Andrea Estandia
Welfare OfficerHi everyone! I’m Andrea and I’m doing a DPhil in Environmental Research (NERC DTP) investigating the genetic basis of bird diversification.
Anna, Fatemeh and I are here to help with any welfare-related issues and guide you through the system so you can find someone who can assist you if you are not feeling well. We also provide welfare and sanitary supplies and organise the Welfare brunches and other events.
Drop us an email if you have any suggestions or ideas!
When I’m not catching birds, pipetting or debugging code I enjoy hiking in the mountains, practising yoga and cooking.
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Anna Clark
Welfare OfficerHi! I’m a DPhil student studying History and I’m majorly enthusiastic about Tudor and Jacobean culture, and specifically portraits of sixteenth-century women (If you’ve ever seen the musical SIX, that’s it’s like inside my head).
I’m one of the Welfare Officers, who represent everything health and well-being for our MCR community. We provide welfare supplies and support with welfare issues, and can direct you towards resources available in college and the wider university. We also organise amazing brunches, which I would highly recommend if you can get there before I’ve eaten everything.
I am always available for a cheery chat, a cuppa, or to listen to any concerns you may have so please do get in touch!
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Fatemeh Salimi
Welfare OfficerI’m Fatemeh Salimi, one of your Welfare’s officers. I’m a fully qualified doctor and currently in my first year of a DPhil in Surgical science. My research project is in Medical technology.
In my role in the committee, I am here to support and promote students wellbeing. If you have any ideas, from workshops/talks on how to support your wellbeing and welfare, please get in touch.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing polo, swimming and afternoon tea. If you fancy a chat over cup of tea, please ping me!
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Ellen Taylor
Social SecretaryI’m a DPhil student in Experimental Psychology, investigating language acquisition.
Outside of my studies, I enjoy creative writing and outdoor swimming.
As one of your Social Secretaries, I’ll be organising bops, exchange dinners and other social events. If you have any suggestions or questions about social events at St John’s, feel free to get in touch via email.
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Andreea-Maria Oncescu
Social SecretaryHi, I’m Andreea and I am doing a DPhil in Engineering Science with a focus on Machine Learning and Computer Vision.
I am very happy to be one of the Social Secretaries and I will do my best to organise as many social events such as bops, pub crawls, games nights and exchange dinners once social distancing is over! Until then, feel free to email any suggestions for events you might have.
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Kaitlyn Cramb
Social SecretaryHi! I’m Kaitlyn and I am one of St. John’s College MCR Social Secretaries this year. I’m a DPhil student in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics currently working on Parkinson’s Disease. I’m a big fan of rock climbing, hiking and reading good books.
Along with your other fantastic social secretaries, we will be organizing exchanges, BOPs and various other social events to enjoy time with other members of our community. Feel free to pop me an email if you have any feedback, suggestions or ideas, they are all welcome! Looking forward to seeing you at our next event.
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Isabel Budleigh
Culture OfficerI’m doing a DPhil in History, looking at the British country house in the 20th and 21st centuries. I also did a Masters at St John’s so I’ve been hanging around here a while! When I’m not working on one of my house studies, I enjoy being outdoors, playing the ukulele and piano or delving into the latest exhibitions.
As Culture Officer I organise lots of fun events for the MCR, from our weekly Sunday movie nights (with copious amounts of snacks!) to cultural trips around Oxford, including theatre trips, comedy nights and some of the great talks that are on offer in our city. I’ll also be introducing some day trips further afield, to provide those all important opportunities to escape the Oxford bubble from time to time.
I’d like the MCR cultural offering to provide a mix of fun and horizon-broadening events, so if you have any ideas of things you’d like to see put on, please get in touch!
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Gabriella Kountourides
Women’s OfficerI’m Gabriella Kountourides, one of your women’s officers. I’m in my first year of a DPhil in medical anthropology. I’m studying how immunity varies through the menstrual cycle (and whether we should be targeting medication doses at specific parts of the period).
In my role in the committee, I represent womens* voices. We work with the JCR women’s officer, Zoe to organise women’s lunches, women’s lecture series, women’s dinner AND annual garden party. If you have any ideas, from workshops/talks on sex to business, please get in touch. We have a FB group (will add link when we have it) and would love to hear from you.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch
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Rebecca Buxton
Women’s OfficerI’m Rebecca Buxton, one of your MCR women’s officers. I’m in the second year of my DPhil in Refugee Studies. I work on political philosophy and the political rights of refugees, such as the right to citizenship and enfranchisement. I also work on women philosophers more generally, and have a book coming out in June 2020 called The Philosopher Queens.
In my role on the committee, I represent women*s voices and organise events for the MCR. Alongside Gabriella, I work with the JCR women’s officer to organise women’s lunches, women’s lecture series, women’s dinner and annual garden party. We are also curating and building our women’s library in the MCR, which you can borrow books from at any time. If you have any ideas for workshops or events please get in touch.
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Hira Javaid
International Students’ OfficerI am a 2nd year DPhil Oncology student looking at epigenetic defects in certain cancers and how to target them for therapy.
Otherwise, I am either juggling, dreaming about juggling, or watching videos of juggling (yes I am slightly addicted). I also enjoy baking, eating what I bake, making substandard short films, and watching stand up comedy.
I am originally from Pakistan, grew up in Saudi Arabia, and went to an American school for the most part, so am grateful to have had an experience and appreciation of different cultures. Moving to England five years ago was one more chance for me to experience new things.
As your international officer, I would love to be able to help you navigate moving away from home maybe for the first time. It can feel daunting but it doesn’t have to be. I’m always here to lend an ear and have also received welfare training from the Student Union. Think of me as an international officer/welfare person who can answer your questions on settling in Oxford/someone to chat to anytime you feel lonely or bored/or ready supplier of baked goods because nothing can make your day better than some cheerful chocolate cake!
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Charlotte Hand
International Students’ OfficerI’m a first year DPhil student in English, exploring the relationship between time, gender, and region in nineteenth-century America. Outside of academia, I enjoy reading, long coffee breaks, and the art of doing nothing.
As one of your international officers, I am passionate about making you feel at home and promoting cultural awareness. I’m originally from Singapore so I know how difficult it can be to be away from home. If you ever need a listening ear or simply a lunch buddy, feel free to reach out! The international officers also hope to plan activities that facilitate an understanding of various cultures – if you have suggestions or feedback on any of our events, please let us know!
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Sam Garratt
Environment and Ethics OfficerI’m a DPhil student in theoretical physics, studying random-matrix models for the dynamics of many-particle systems. As part of a rare attempt to interface with worldly issues, I’m also one of your environment and ethics officers.
In this role I’ll be talking to college about how they can reduce their environmental impact, from local measures like recycling schemes to reconsidering their investments in fossil fuel companies. We’ll also be running the charity allocations and some deliberately austere social events.
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Anna Olerinyova
Environment and Ethics OfficerI’m a DPhil student in Biophysics in the Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry. My research focuses on developing novel techniques for biomolecule detection. I am also a keen activist and have taken an active role in initiatives such as the Oxford Climate Justice Campaign. As such, I’m also one of your environment and ethics officers.
One of my main aims in this role is to increase awareness of environmental impact of our actions within the student body as well as in general, whether that is through diet change, reducing consumerism or active campaigning. I will also continue putting pressure on college to reduce their environmental impact and reconsider their investments in the fossil fuel sector. We’re also hoping to increase engagement with the student body through environmental themed events and socials.
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Ruby-Anne Birin
Interfaith OfficerHi all,
I am starting my first year DPhil in Archaeological Science. I provide ages to archaelogical sites in hope of better understanding human evolution in South Africa, the place I call home.
I will also be your interfaith officer this year. I enjoy running activities which help celebrate experience, bring people of different backgrounds together and ensure those who wish to share, celebrate and discuss have a safe and welcoming space to do so. I enjoy sending long (rambling) newsletters with updates of (inter)faith events. If you know of any such event or want to organise one, feel free to contact me!
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Brian O’Callaghan
Sports OfficerI am studying for a DPhil in Renewable Energy Finance, focusing on how to efficiently and effectively direct private finance towards green energy assets. Alongside my studies, I spend an inordinate amount of time running through Port Meadow, biking the Cotswolds, rowing the Isis and generally striving to improve the sports offering of St John’s College for post-graduate students.
As Sports officer I coordinate sports-related events for MCR members, liaise with college on all sports-related issues and ensure a well-stocked MCR sports cupboard (level 2 of the MCR). Any sports-related queries? Feel free to reach out! Keen for a running partner? Hit me up! Thoughts on how to make sports more accessible at St John’s? Let’s chat!
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Adam Packer
Returning OfficerHi there,
I am final year DPhil in Geography and the Environment and this committee’s Returning Officer. My main responsibilities in this role include:
1) organising any MCR elections or referenda,
2) attending and voting at OxSU Council, and
3) other responsibilities listed in the Rules of the MCR like handling particular types of complaint.It’s likely that issues discussed at OxSU will involve the graduate community so if you feel passionate about any issues or interested in getting involved, do get in touch! It’s unlikely you’ll see me around College much as I won’t be based in Oxford this year. Nevertheless, I look forward to meeting you over Teams, Zoom or whatever platform we use for events going forward.
I’ve previously held the Social Secretary and LGBTQ+ Rep positions and I’ve seen the care that committee will put into building a supportive community for you under these circumstances.
Take care!
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Minying Huang
Black and Minority Ethnic Students’ OfficerI am a DPhil student in Spanish and Arabic, focusing on twentieth-century Latin American Arab poetry, and one of your BME Students’ Officers. When not researching poetry, you can find me trying to write some of my own, at a local open-mic night, or singing with the Oxford Singers. I’m passionate about 80s music, queer (especially QTIPOC) media, and equity in mental health.
As a BME Students’ Officer, I communicate the concerns, and advocate the interests and welfare, of BME students within the MCR and to wider college bodies. I will be pushing for anti-racist, intersectional inclusion and approaches in college, in addition to organising social events where we can all meet, share experiences (and food!), and build community. I’m always here as a point of contact and support if you find yourself experiencing discrimination and harassment.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas regarding campaigns and projects we can help support, need information on available resources, or would like to have a confidential chat about anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch.
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Krishnendu Ray
Black and Minority Ethnic Students’ OfficerHello! I’m Krish, a 1st-year student in Theoretical Physics. Along with Minying, I am one of your BME Students’ Officers.
As BME Students’ Officers, we will be the interface between the college and the BME students in our MCR, conveying our concerns, ideas, and advocating our interests. Second, we will be the first port of call should anyone in the MCR face any discrimination or harassment. Oxford at its best is a wonderful place, but (and I know this first-hand) can be a difficult space for a BME student to navigate. My goal is to build a warm, welcoming, safe, and inclusive community where we can celebrate our identities, and also approach for support. I also co-host the BME social events — talks, discussion circles, poetry nights, movie nights, and of course, the annual BME dinner!
If you have ideas regarding events and campaigns we could hold, host, support or collaborate with, please do let me know. Of course, if you would just like to have a chat over a cup of coffee, I am always available!
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Marie White
Disabled Students’ OfficerI’m a first year DPhil student studying law (specifically intellectual property and the protection of trade marks and brands).
As one of the Disabled Student’s Officers, I’m here to make sure that our college community is inclusive for all students with a disability. If you have any disability related issues or queries, be that with regard to the MCR, the college or the university, feel free to get in touch!
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Alejandro De Los Angeles
Disabled Students’ OfficerI am a DPhil student studying Psychiatry. I am focusing on the genetics of psychiatric diseases by investigating the alternative splicing of calcium channels implicated in bipolar disorder.
As one of your disabilities students officers, I promote awareness of disabilities and accessibility at St. John’s College. I am eager to foster an inclusive graduate community, so please don’t hesitate to send me an email with any suggestions.
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Vacant
LGBTQ OfficerVacant
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Vacant
LGBTQ OfficerVacant.
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Vacant
Student Parents and Carers OfficerVacant.
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Vacant
Culture OfficerVacant.