Student CommunityWho We Are
The CSC student committee is a group of PhD students that organises events for the student community on Imperial’s Hammersmith Campus. We also arrange events closely alongside the CSC Postdoc Community.
CSCSC Committee 2011/12
Sophie Piper - President
s.piper10@imperial.ac.uk
Nitric oxide signalling
I am a first year PhD student in the nitric oxide signalling group researching the potential role of nitric oxide in the initiation of the diabetic state. We use multiple In vitro and In vivo approaches for investigation. I am happy to get involved with the student community and organise plenty of events. In my spare time I am a keen dancer and runner.
Duncan Bull – Vice President
d.bull09@csc.mrc.ac.uk
Cellular Stress
I am a second year PhD student in the Cellular Stress lab. Our lab is interested in the regulation of kinase signalling pathways, specifically those involved in metabolism. This is a really interesting topic covering a wide range of techniques from molecular biology to whole body effects in animals. I’ve been involved in the organisation of the CSC Student Community right from the start and it’s a fantastic way for students to interact and get involved in a range of activities. In my spare time I enjoy running and various team sports like rugby and rowing.
Aleksandra Turp - (President 2010-2011)
Reprogramming and Chromatin
I am a second year PhD student. Before starting my PhD I completed an MRes research programme at the CSC, which allowed me to rotate between several different groups and get to know quite a few people in the institute. My PhD project is dedicated to studying epigenetic changes in myoblast differentiation. I am always very keen on getting involved in student activities and so I was very happy to work on setting up the CSCSC. In my free time I like watching films and going to the theatre and I also love to travel.
Laura Dowsett - Secretary
Nitric Oxide Signalling
I am just finishing my second year looking at the regulation of nitric oxide production and its role in adipocytes and obesity. We use a wide range of techniques from molecular biology, through to cell culture, all the way to in vivo models. In my spare time I like to go swimming at the Ethos centre at the South Kensington campus.
Miguel Esteras - Treasurer
Cell Cycle
I am a third year PhD student born in Spain. I was a sport trainer and bartender before becoming biologist. I came to England to undertake a PhD program in molecular biology under the supervision of Prof. Luis Aragon. My free time is mainly dedicated to youth education inside and outside the Catholic Church. I am member of an amateur choir and frequently attend classical music concerts.
Kedar Natarajan –Website Coordinator
Genome Function
I am a second year PhD student working with Prof. Ana Pombo. In the lab, we study genome organisation and how genes and polymerases affect gene expression in mammalian systems, to understand pluripotency and cell commitment. In my PhD, I am working on an unbiased proteomic approach to understand and dissect the interplay between RNA polymerase and polycomb proteins in mouse embryonic stem cells. In my spare time, I play football and badminton at Imperial campuses.
Georgia Lockwood Estrin
Perinatal Imaging
I am just coming to the end of my first year working with Prof Mary Rutherford and Dr Serena Counsell. Our department uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to look at the development of the human brain. More specifically, I am using MRI to investigate how specific complications of pregnancy effect fetal brain development. Outside my PhD, I am interested in theatre and science communication – not necessarily together. I also take yoga classes which are organised and take place on Hammersmith campus.
Rodrigo Braga
Cognitive Neuroimaging
I am in the first year of my PhD working with Prof. Richard Wise. We are investigating the brain processes that allow us to make sense of and pay attention to sounds. I use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan participants and measure their brain activity patterns during listening tasks. In my spare time I am involved with music and perform concerts around London (www.rodrigobraga.co.uk). I also play football every week with other students at the Linford Christie Stadium behind the Hammersmith Campus.
Sophie Piper - President
s.piper10@imperial.ac.uk
Nitric oxide signalling
I am a first year PhD student in the nitric oxide signalling group researching the potential role of nitric oxide in the initiation of the diabetic state. We use multiple In vitro and In vivo approaches for investigation. I am happy to get involved with the student community and organise plenty of events. In my spare time I am a keen dancer and runner.
Duncan Bull – Vice President
d.bull09@csc.mrc.ac.uk
Cellular Stress
I am a second year PhD student in the Cellular Stress lab. Our lab is interested in the regulation of kinase signalling pathways, specifically those involved in metabolism. This is a really interesting topic covering a wide range of techniques from molecular biology to whole body effects in animals. I’ve been involved in the organisation of the CSC Student Community right from the start and it’s a fantastic way for students to interact and get involved in a range of activities. In my spare time I enjoy running and various team sports like rugby and rowing.
Aleksandra Turp - (President 2010-2011)
Reprogramming and Chromatin
I am a second year PhD student. Before starting my PhD I completed an MRes research programme at the CSC, which allowed me to rotate between several different groups and get to know quite a few people in the institute. My PhD project is dedicated to studying epigenetic changes in myoblast differentiation. I am always very keen on getting involved in student activities and so I was very happy to work on setting up the CSCSC. In my free time I like watching films and going to the theatre and I also love to travel.
Laura Dowsett - Secretary
Nitric Oxide Signalling
I am just finishing my second year looking at the regulation of nitric oxide production and its role in adipocytes and obesity. We use a wide range of techniques from molecular biology, through to cell culture, all the way to in vivo models. In my spare time I like to go swimming at the Ethos centre at the South Kensington campus.
Miguel Esteras - Treasurer
Cell Cycle
I am a third year PhD student born in Spain. I was a sport trainer and bartender before becoming biologist. I came to England to undertake a PhD program in molecular biology under the supervision of Prof. Luis Aragon. My free time is mainly dedicated to youth education inside and outside the Catholic Church. I am member of an amateur choir and frequently attend classical music concerts.
Kedar Natarajan –Website Coordinator
Genome Function
I am a second year PhD student working with Prof. Ana Pombo. In the lab, we study genome organisation and how genes and polymerases affect gene expression in mammalian systems, to understand pluripotency and cell commitment. In my PhD, I am working on an unbiased proteomic approach to understand and dissect the interplay between RNA polymerase and polycomb proteins in mouse embryonic stem cells. In my spare time, I play football and badminton at Imperial campuses.
Georgia Lockwood Estrin
Perinatal Imaging
I am just coming to the end of my first year working with Prof Mary Rutherford and Dr Serena Counsell. Our department uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to look at the development of the human brain. More specifically, I am using MRI to investigate how specific complications of pregnancy effect fetal brain development. Outside my PhD, I am interested in theatre and science communication – not necessarily together. I also take yoga classes which are organised and take place on Hammersmith campus.
Rodrigo Braga
Cognitive Neuroimaging
I am in the first year of my PhD working with Prof. Richard Wise. We are investigating the brain processes that allow us to make sense of and pay attention to sounds. I use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan participants and measure their brain activity patterns during listening tasks. In my spare time I am involved with music and perform concerts around London (www.rodrigobraga.co.uk). I also play football every week with other students at the Linford Christie Stadium behind the Hammersmith Campus.
