From Left to Right in the photo, Kuan Cheng Ma (Social Secretary), Stefan Calota (Newsletter Officer), Isa Senica (Treasurer), Carolina Pestana (President), Tamas Laufer (Vice-President), Natalie Choi (Social Media and Promotion Officer), Sanjana Kurkimat (Events Officer) and Alex McKenzie (UCL East Officer)>
Kuan Cheng Ma, Social Secretary
I did my BSc in Bioprocessing and MSc in Biochemical Engineering here at UCL and am now doing a PhD in Biochemical Engineering supported by the EPSRC & UCL-Cytiva Centre of Excellence.
My project is on understanding fouling in viral filtration to improve flux and extend operational lifetime.
I look forward to helping build a stronger department community through exciting events that everyone can enjoy!
Stefan Calota, Newsletter Officer
I did a Romanian Baccalaureate in Romanian, Mathematics and Organic Chemistry and then did my degree in Biochemical Engineering at UCL
I’m now studying a Biochemical Engineering MPhil/PhD. My research area of interest is Cell and Gene Therapy (Regenerative Medicine)
I’m looking forward to keeping students up to date with what is happening around the department and keep UG and PGT/PGR and postdoc/staff communities engaged.
Isa Senica, Treasurer
Before moving to the UK, I got my IB diploma at a high school in the US. I completed both my BSc Biomedical Sciences and MRes Biotechnology and Business Enterprise degrees at Newcastle University. Afterwards, I worked for several years at a Northeast England biopharmaceutical CDMO, specifically in GMP downstream processing and in mammalian upstream process development.
Currently, I'm doing a PhD in Biochemical Engineering funded by CARMA (Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub).
My research focus is on downstream processing of cultivated meat, and in my project I'm developing an ultra scale-down method for faster process development and exploring analytical techniques to measure cell quality.
I'm excited to be treasurer for the upcoming academic year and help plan some great events for the department, all while ensuring we stay financially sound!
Carolina M Pestana, President
I did my scientific baccalaureate in France before moving to London, where I did my BSc in biotechnology and an MRes in systems and synthetic biology at Imperial College.
I’m now studying my PhD as part of the EPSRC DTP
I am interested in applying synthetic biology towards the environment, specifically in materials for the built environment.
I am looking forward towards working with the entire committee to continue organising events that connect everyone in the department and welcome newcomers.
Tamas Laufer, Vice-President
I went to high school in Hungary, in my hometown, Székesfehérvár. Since, that I am here in London.
I kind of grew up in the UCL Biochemical Engineering Department. I did my undergraduate in Biochemical Engineering and my masters in Manufacture and Commercialisation of Stem Cell and Gene Therapies at UCL in this department.
Currently, I am doing an industrial PhD in Biochemical Engineering in collaboration with Orchard Therapeutics Ltd. My topic is the non-viral process development of hematopoietic stem cells using precision genetic editing and transposable elements.
I am super interested in regenerative medicine and cell and gene therapies. I think all diseases could be cured with one dose of therapy in the future. One of the main current challenges is the process development and commercialisation of these products, which are my main topics.
This year’s committee is already a friend group. I am really excited to work together with everyone. Our aim is to ensure that all postgrads can let out the steam after long work days ;)
Natalie Choi, Social Media and Promotion Officer
I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. After that, I moved to London for a master’s at UCL and decided to stay on for my PhD.
I’m currently doing a PhD in Biochemical Engineering.
I’m especially interested in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and bioprocessing. My work focuses on applying cutting-edge synthetic biology tools and advanced biotechnologies to improve the efficiency, scalability, and productivity of microbial production systems, particularly for producing sustainable, high-value compounds used in personal care and food.
I’m excited to use social media to share the innovative work happening in our department and to help build a stronger sense of community by promoting student events, research highlights, and opportunities for engagement. And of course, to bring a bit of fun along the way
Alex McKenzie, UCL East Officer
Having attended school / sixth form in London, I studied an Integrated Master's in Biochemistry at the University of York; after a great 4 years there, I have returned to the big city for my doctoral studies.I’m currently at UCL Biochemical Engineering, undertaking an EPSRC-funded Doctoral Training Programme
During my undergrad I became fascinated with enzymes as powerful catalysts for applications in sustainable chemistry, from fine-chemical synthesis to plastic degradation. My project currently focuses on producing and screening candidate enzymes using high-throughput methods.
As UCL East Officer I hope to engage our postgrad community in events both in Bloomsbury and Stratford. I also look forward to organising some great socials with my fellow committee members.
Sanjana Kurkimat, Events Officer
I did my schooling in India and moved to Hong Kong for a BSc in Biotechnolgy at HKUST. Following my undergraduate years, I came to London to pursue a master’s at Imperial College in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology. I worked in industry for a couple of years at Touchlight, a synthetic DNA manufacturing CDMO, where I gained experience in genetically engineering client sequences and adapting them for further manufacturing processes.
I'm currently on the PhD in Biochemical Engineering programme funded by EPSRC and Fujifilm Biotechnologies. I'm exploring the benefits of cell-free DNA manufacturing for AAV therapies, as an alternative to bacteria-based plasmid systems to hopefully make disruptive new technology available and accessible to patient.
In the coming year, I'm excited about working with the rest of the team to oversee smooth organisation of events!
