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(Pictured top L-R, Stefanos, Emma, Kyle, John, bottom Maddie, Fiachra, Agnes and Roisin)

Kyle Gaius Jonsson, President

After finishing my high school studies in Bandung, Indonesia (where I am from), I completed my BSc in Biotechnology at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê. Prior to returning to Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê for my EngD studies, I pursued an MRes in Systems and Synthetic Biology from Imperial College London.
I’m currently on an EngD in Biochemical Engineering and Bioprocess Leadership programme, sponsored by the EPSRC and Roche.
I am passionate about the intersection between engineering biology and bioprocess engineering, particularly in bridging the gap between sophisticated lab-scale engineering biology technologies and large-scale industrial biomanufacturing.
I am looking forward to working with the other members of the committee to organise events that will be inclusive, intellectually stimulating, and, most importantly, fun! I hope this year's events can live up to the standard set by the previous committee, as they've made my first year of the EngD great 

Emma Burman, Events Manager

Before joining the department, I studied a BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of Leeds. As part of my undergraduate degree, I did a year in industry with a company called Puridify that was a spinout from the department! At Puridify, I was involved in both the upstream and downstream processing of AAV using the Fibro nanofibre technology. After graduation I worked at the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Cancer Institute on a project studying leukaemia and blood stem cell exhaustion in short-lived African killifish. Following this I joined Astrea Bioseparations where I operationally co-ordinated and set-up a new mammalian cell culture facility to produce viral vector feedstocks. At Astrea Bioseparations, my work largely focused on producing high-quality lentiviral vector (LVV) feedstocks, establishing analytical assays, and developing a process to isolate LVV using the AstreAdept® nanofiber technology.
I’m currently on the EngD Biochemical Engineering and Bioprocess Leadership programme
My EngD project is focused on developing a bioprocess for the isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) using the AstreAdept® nanofiber adsorbent. I have a strong interest in cell and gene therapies and tackling the manufacturing challenges they present.
I am looking forward to taking an active role in the department to help organise fun social events!

Agnes Aparte, Communications Officer

I took my A levels at Woking College and then did a Biochemical Engineering BEng here at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê before going on to the Manufacture and Commercialisation of Stem Cell and Gene Therapies MSc, also here in the Biochemical Engineering department.
I’m now studying an EngD in Cell and Gene Therapies
I am looking forward to being more connected and interactive with the student body and the whole department in bringing about events that can be both enjoyable and award-winning for all participants.

Stefanos Mylonas, Treasurer

Before coming to Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê, I completed a BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Democritus University, Greece, and a MSc in Genes, Drugs, and Stem Cells - Novel Therapies at Imperial College London. I then joined an Oxford-based CDMO as an Associate Scientist, where I focused on viral vector process development and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).
Currently, I am studying for a PhD as part of the CTP in Advanced Bioscience of Viral Products (ABViP) programme in collaboration with Oxford Biomedica.
My research interests focus on developing cost-effective, high-quality, and easily scalable platforms to produce high yields of viral vectors.
As the Treasurer of the Beakers Society, I'm excited to help organise fun social events and activities for both new and returning students in our department!

Maddie Charvill, Social Media Officer

I studied a Biological Sciences BSc (Hons) at the University of Edinburgh, followed by an MScR in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Bristol
Here at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Biochemical Engineering, I’m doing an ABViP PhD in collaboration with Oxford Biomedica and The University of Oxford. I’m researching novel approaches to increase the safety and efficacy of gene therapies.
I'm looking forward to keeping everyone up to date on the department's social events and activities via the Beakers' social media!

John Mangos, Secretary

I initially did IB (International Baccalaureate) in Greece, which eventually led me to study Biotechnology (Applied Molecular Biology) in the University of Aberdeen, and then I did my MSc in Systems and Synthetic Biology in the University of Edinburgh.
EngD Biochemical Engineering and Bioprocess Leadership
My research interest resides in waste stream valorisation, and in particular engineering microorganisms such as E.coli into acting as sustainable chemical factories to transform our waste into high-value chemicals, driving away our dependence on fossil fuels for production of chemicals and driving forth an era of green circular economy.
I'm quite looking forward into organising some fun and interesting social events in both Bloomsbury and our new campus at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê East!

Roisin Oldroyd, Vice-President

I did my BSc in Chemistry at Cardiff University. I then worked as a research scientist for a chromatographic resin company, mainly working with customers to troubleshoot problems, and develop bespoke platform processes.
I'm doing an EngD in biochemical engineering, looking at understanding tangential flow filtration operations for improved processing of cell and gene therapies.
I'm particularly interested in the downstream processing of therapeutics.
I'm excited to organise fun events for the department and work closely alongside members of my cohort.

Fiachra Sweeney, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê East Representative

Over the last few years, I have been working in a range of biotech start-ups in London. Before, I took two degrees: an MRes in Synthetic Biology at Imperial and a BSc from Exeter.

I’m currently taking a PhD at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê East, my research is focused on discovering industrially relevant novel enzymes/products from nature

Am looking forward to building that connection between the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê East campus and our Bloomsbury campus and helping students visit parts of London they wouldn't normally. Also, I would like to help organise more industry-focused events for Beakers so people without work experience can get more a flavour of what’s out there!