Our team is very interdisciplinary: some of us are undergraduate students studying biology-related degrees and will lead the experimental research of this project. Others are studying engineering, physics and maths, and will be in-charge of the mathematical modelling that guides our experimental work in the lab. Our linguistics undergraduate on the team excels in outreach and human practice collaborations, making sure that our project meets real-world needs. The diversity of nationalities in the team is a unique characteristics of Manchester iGEM 2016!
Meet the team!!
Toby Summerill
University
Current degree course
Role in iGEM
Interest
Favourite drinks
: The University of Manchester
: MPhys Physics with Theoretical Physics (Final Year)
: Modelling and analytics officer
: Climbing, video games and sambuca
: Sambuca, lots of sambuca
University : The University of Manchester
Current degree course : MPhys Physics with Theoretical Physics (Final Year)
Role in iGEM : Modelling and analytics officer
Interest : Climbing, video games and sambuca
Favourite drinks : Sambuca, lots of sambuca
Matthew Davies
University
Current degree course
Role in iGEM
Interest
Favourite drinks
: The University of Manchester
: MEng Chemical Engineering (Final Year)
: Modelling and analytics officer
: Karate & cycling
: Whatever is next!
University : The University of Manchester
Current degree course : MEng Chemical Engineering (Final Year)
Role in iGEM : Modelling and analytics officer
Interest : Karate & cycling
Favourite drinks : Whatever is next!
Prakrithi Narayanan
University
Current degree course
Role in iGEM
Interest
Favourite drinks
: The University of Manchester
: BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences (2nd Year)
: Administrative executive and wet lab member
: Reading & swimming
: Ice peach tea
University : The University of Manchester
Current degree course : BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences (2nd Year)
Role in iGEM : Administrative executive and wet lab member
Interest : Reading & swimming
Favourite drinks : Ice peach tea
Wei Hao Tey
University
Current degree course
Role in iGEM
Interest
Favourite drinks
: The University of Manchester
: MMath (Hons) Mathematics (3rd year)
: Sponsorship, financial officer and wiki web designer
: Jogging, hiking and problem solving
: Grape cider & hot chocolate
University : The University of Manchester
Current degree course : MMath (Hons) Mathematics (3rd year)
Role in iGEM : Sponsorship, financial officer and wiki web designer
Interest : Jogging ,hiking and problem solving
Favourite drinks : Grape cider & hot chocolate
Svetlana Telnova
University
Current degree course
Role in iGEM
Interest
Favourite drinks
: The University of Manchester
: BSc (Hons) Pharmacology and Physiology (Graduated)
: Wet lab member
: Travelling
: Hot Chocolate
University : The University of Manchester
Current degree course : BSc (Hons) Pharmacology and Physiology (Graduated)
Role in iGEM : Wet lab member
Interest : Travelling
Favourite drinks : Hot Chocolate
Hui Wen Chong
University
Current degree course
Role in iGEM
Interest
Favourite drinks
: The University of Manchester
: MSci Biology (3rd year)
: Creative director and wet lab member
: Annoying people
: Baileys
University : The University of Manchester
Current degree course : MSci Biology (3rd year)
Role in iGEM : Creative director and wet lab member
Interest : Annoying people
Favourite drinks : Baileys
Sathya Darmalinggam
University
Current degree course
Role in iGEM
Interest
Favourite drinks
: The University of Manchester
: BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (2nd year)
: Wet lab supervisor
: Anything outdoors!
: Dark chocolate milk
University : The University of Manchester
Current degree course : BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (2nd year)
Role in iGEM : Wet lab supervisor
Interest : Anything outdoors!
Favourite drinks : Dark chocolate milk
Guada Alvarez
University
Current degree course
Role in iGEM
Interest
Favourite drinks
: Manchester Metropolitan University
: BSc (Hons) Biology (Final year)
: Experimental officer and wet lab member
: Skating & reading
: Cider
University : Manchester Metropolitan University
Current degree course : BSc (Hons) Biology (Final year)
Role in iGEM : Experimental officer and wet lab member
Interest : Skating & reading
Favourite drinks : Cider
James Riley
University
Current degree course
Role in iGEM
Interest
Favourite drinks
: The University of Manchester
: BA Linguistics (3rd year)
: Human practises & outreach personnel
: World news, future technology, social science, meditation
: Pomegranate juice, rice & coconut milk
University : The University of Manchester
Current degree course : BA Linguistics (3rd year)
Role in iGEM : Human practices & outreach personnel
Interest : World news, future technology, social science, meditation
: BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology with Industrial Experience (2nd year)
: Public relations coordinator and a wet lab member
: Singing in A Capella and Reading
: Cider and spare vodka that's left on the side
University : The University of Manchester
Current degree course : BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology with Industrial / Professional Experience (2nd year)
Role in iGEM : Public relations coordinator and a wet lab member
Interest : Singing in A Capella and Reading
Favourite drinks : Cider and spare vodka that's left on the side
Our Advisors
Prof. E.Takano
Prof. R.Breitling
Supervisors
Ross Kent
In 2015 Ross began a PhD at the University of Manchester in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, where he works on post-transcriptional control of gene expression in bacteria. He is also interested in biosensing and multivariate Design of Experiments for the optimisation of synthetic metabolic pathways.
Ross graduated from the University of Exeter with a B.Sc. Hons in Biology in 2012, during which he gained work experience at Rothamsted Research. Following this he worked in the Exeter Microbial Biofuels Group, before beginning a M.Sc. by Research at the Shell Technology Centre in Houston, Texas in collaboration with Royal Dutch Shell. Here he worked on consolidated bioprocessing of waste material for biofuel production. Ross is an avid rock climber with a passion for the outdoors and travel.
Nick Weise
Nick gained a B.Sc. (Hons) Molecular Biology from The University of Manchester before completing a Ph.D. in Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University’s Centre of Excellence in Biocatalysis. He currently works at the Manchester of Institute of Biotechnology where he researches the discovery and engineering of enzymes for use in pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis. He is involved in teaching courses introductory and organic chemistry as well as in industrial biotechnology, whilst also coordinating the engagement and outreach initiatives of the institute. In his spare time he enjoys trampolining, gymnastics coaching and playing clarinet in the Manchester Wind Orchestra.
Marc Biarnes Carrera
Marc Biarnes Carrera studied at Universitat Ramon Llull (Institut Quimic de Sarria). He aquired his Degree in chemistry (speciality in organic synthesis). Marc worked at G.E.M. (Grup d'Enginyerina Molecular). He attained his Masters at the university of York (MRes in Post Genomic Biology). His Masters projects include work with Prof. Christof Baumann in the characterisation of HiGam proteins, and an industrial placement in GBL which involved improving bio fuel production through strain engineering. Marc is working towards his PHD, under the supervision of Prof. Eriko Takano, in the regulation of antibiotic production in Streptomyces. His project involves work with gamma butyrolactone, regulators of secondary metabolite production. He has currently begun his 3rd year of research. In the future he is considering research into synthetic biology as he finds the subject very appealing.
