Meet The Team

Mikhail is a third-year BSc Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Manchester, with particular interests in immunology, cancer biology and the translational development of novel therapies. He is also interested in clinical trials, life sciences consulting and business development, particularly how scientific advances are translated into effective therapies and commercial strategies. As Co-Chair of the North West Biotech Initiative, he helps lead events and initiatives that connect students with opportunities across academia, biotechnology and the wider life sciences industry. Outside of his studies and organisational work, Mikhail enjoys film photography, cycling and a cappella singing.

Ruth is a third-year Biochemistry student at the University of Manchester. Her main academic interests revolve around computational models of development, though she has also grown an appreciation for immunology through her previous internship work and placement project. As co-chair, she is motivated to ensure all NWBI events are well-run and inviting to everyone. She truly believes in the initiative’s ethos and intends on providing an opportunity for students to interface with people and companies in the biotech field. When she is not busy in the lab, you will find her playing tennis or guitar, writing about movies she loves, and taking walks through the park.

As a graduate in Neuroscience with interests in start-up development in the life sciences, Matias is continuing his role as Finance Manager with the NWBI, building partnerships and communities through event organisation, media engagement, and collaborations with the rest of the team. To recharge, he likes to play the piano, practice basketball, read, and cycle around the city.

Vilmos is a final-year undergraduate Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry student at the University of Manchester, supported by a full scholarship from his home country of Hungary. His research career started at the age of 16, when he joined a chemotherapy research project at the HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences. He has since worked across inorganic, organic and medicinal chemistry, biochemistry and chemical biology, in groups across the UK, Hungary and Canada. His key academic interests center around applying a chemical understanding of molecules to biological systems and medicine, with a particular liking for analysing complicated systems. Alongside his studies and scientific pursuits, Vilmos volunteers as head of the UK wing of the Hungarian Youth Association, where he organises events and aims to build a community among Hungarian students studying in Great Britain. He has also taken up multiple voluntary leadership positions in the past, from the Hungarian Research Student Association to the iGEM effort at the University of Manchester. As Financial Officer he focuses on NWBI’s budget and sponsorship relationships. His goal is to expand the opportunities for talented students in bioscience.He sees the future of the initiative in stronger connections with industry and investors and embracing and providing more support for students with entreprenurial aspirations. In his spare time, Vilmos likes to do nature/portrait photography, go hiking, mountainbike down trails, cook fine foods on a student budget, enjoy fine wines, maintain his IT homelab infrastructure, explore new places, and read about new therapeutic concepts.

Selin is a second-year PhD student at the University of Manchester / CRUK Manchester Institute, in the Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, where she is mapping the transcription factor interactome in AML using a degron-based protein degradation system. She completed her BSc and MSc in Molecular & Cellular Biology at Sorbonne Université, including an Erasmus exchange at Heidelberg University, where she also did a 6-month internship at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). She later completed her Master's thesis at Harvard University/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the Ebert Laboratory. She is interested in translational research and biotechnological innovation, as well as translating scientific knowledge into venture capital. As Finance Manager for the Northwest Biotech Society, Selin oversees the society's budget and financial planning, and manages relationships with sponsors. If she's not in the lab, you'll most likely find her in the gym, squatting heavy weights or training muscle ups.

Maryam is a first-year PhD student in Bioinformatics working on multimodal omics analysis, particularly in cancer diseases. She is interested in connecting AI methods to the clinical world to achieve personalized and interpretable treatments. She is interested in making connections outside the regular work environment and helping others meet people from various places and create interesting conversations.

Gracie is a final year integrated Master’s student studying Pharmacology. Her focus is on neurodevlopment, studying biomarkers using immunohistochemistry. Following her degree, she is ambitious to continue her research to investigate therapeutic interventions for schizophrenia. Outside of University, she enjoys ballet and pilates, as well as trying all the amazing cafes across Manchester. As part of the NWBI, Gracie is eager to support the connection between students and the biotech industry to help younger students achieve their career goals.

Farha is a third-year BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Manchester, supported by a Malaysian government scholarship. Inspired by a personal connection to kidney disease, she is particularly interested in molecular biology, kidney research and the growing potential of microbiology and biotechnology to develop novel treatments for human disease. Throughout her studies, Farha has gained research experience in precision phage therapy, exploring the potential of bacteriophages as alternatives to antibiotics. She enjoys working in laboratory environments and her current research project allowed her to work more independently and lead aspects of her own investigation. As Media & Communications Officer, Farha is passionate about connecting students with professionals across the bioscience and biotechnology sectors. She hopes to help create engaging events that provide valuable knowledge, meaningful connections and inspiration for students planning their next steps after graduation. Outside of academia, Farha enjoys cooking and playing rugby for the University of Manchester. In the future, she hopes to contribute to the development of better treatment options for patients with kidney failure and ultimately improve their quality of life.

Amna is a final year MSci Genetics student at the University of Manchester. Her academic focus is on the intersection of cancer genetics and developmental biology, with a particular fascination in how these advances can deepen the understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of new therapies. Alongside her academics, Amna works with Shout, where she supports individuals in moments of crisis. This role has strengthened her skills in clear communication, quick problem-solving, adaptability and resilience. As one of the Media and Communications Officers, she is delighted to create engaging content and build meaningful connections to support NWBI’s vision. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and discovering hidden gems around the city.

Stefania is a second-year MSci Biochemistry student at the University of Manchester, with an interest in biophysics and astrobiology (extremophiles), as she is passionate about the possible application of the field's knowledge to improve biotechnology and biomedicine. She is also interested in making education more accessible, which has motivated her work in the UoM commuter community, as a university ambassador, and in the GSK x Zero Gravity mentoring programme, where she supports students who are pursuing or aspiring to pursue higher education. As Media and Communications Officer, Stefania's goal is to create clear and accessible content for opportunities and events, helping ensure that students from all backgrounds have an equal opportunity to learn about and engage with the biotech industry. To balance her academic work, she enjoys writing, baking, and visiting historical sites.

Denitta is an MSc Bioinformatics and Systems Biology student at the University of Manchester, where she also completed her BSc in Biomedical Sciences. Between the two degrees, she spent a year working as a laboratory technician at AstraZeneca, an experience that gave her a first-hand view of how research moves from the bench towards real therapies. Her academic interests centre on genomics and precision medicine, and she is particularly interested in how computational analysis of genomic data can be used to tailor treatment to individual patients. As Media and Communications Officer for the North West Biotech Initiative, Denitta is focused on making the initiative's events and opportunities visible and accessible to students. She hopes to help create content that draws students into the biotech community and connects them with the researchers, companies and career paths shaping the sector. In her spare time, Denitta enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Eoghan is a final year Biochemistry BSc student at the University of Manchester. He has a strong interest in drug development and deployment, as well as in the perception of biosciences by the world at large. As Media and Communications officer at NWBI, he is looking forward to helping others access industry access events to network and gain experience in the field of biotechnology.

Akshatha is a second-year BSc Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Manchester with an interest in the pharmaceutical industry and the role of technology and AI in shaping healthcare. She is particularly fascinated by how biomedical research can translate into new therapeutic strategies and how interdisciplinary collaboration can transform drug development. As Operations Manager at the North West Biotech Initiative, Akshatha is committed to helping deliver initiatives that connect students with opportunities across academia and industry. She hopes to help build a community where students can explore careers across biotechnology and the wider life sciences, connect with researchers and industry professionals, and engage with the ideas shaping the sector. A self-proclaimed jack of all trades, Akshatha enjoys writing, dancing, singing, painting, reading, playing tennis, and public speaking, and is always up for learning something new. She brings the same curiosity and energy to her interests outside science, believing that some of the best ideas come from looking beyond your usual field.

Anya is a second-year BSc Biotechnology with Entrepreneurship student at the University of Manchester, with a strong interest in the intersection of biotechnology, innovation, and the pharmaceutical industry. She is particularly interested in how scientific discoveries can be translated into real-world applications and how entrepreneurship can help drive innovation within the life sciences. As Operations Officer for the North West Biotech Initiative, Anya hopes to support the smooth organisation and delivery of events and initiatives that connect students with opportunities across academia and industry. Through this role, she is passionate about helping build a community where students can explore different career pathways, develop their professional skills, and engage with the rapidly evolving biotech sector. When she's not studying, you'll find her on the football pitch, planning her next trip abroad, taking a long walk in the park or spending quality time with friends and family.

Trisha is a second-year BSc Computer Science student at the University of Manchester, with a growing interest in the intersection of technology and healthcare. Open to exploring the many paths within biotech, she is particularly drawn to how software and data can support better patient outcomes. As an Operations Manager for the North-West Biotech Initiative, Trisha brings experience from her role as an Events Committee member for UniCS, where she helped organise the society's annual flagship ball for 150+ attendees. She is committed to ensuring the smooth delivery of NWBI's events and initiatives, and hopes to help build a community where students, particularly those approaching biotech from non-traditional backgrounds, can explore the breadth of opportunities available across the sector. This drive to create welcoming, accessible spaces also shows in her other roles this year as UniCS Inclusions Officer and Faculty of Science and Engineering Student Ambassador, both focused on helping students feel supported and included as they find their footing at university. Apart from degree and society work, Trisha enjoys reading, solving word search puzzles, and going on walks.

Aine is a fourth-year MSci Biology student at the University of Manchester, specialising in microbial evolution and antibiotic resistance. She is particularly interested in plant-microbe interactions and their potential application in sustainable agriculture, with the hope to pursue research in this area in the future. As a first-time Operations Manager, Aine is excited to bring her organisational and collaborative skills to the NWBI and help create opportunities for students interested in biotechnology and life sciences. Outside academics, Aine enjoys practising yoga, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Tushita is a third year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Manchester with a keen interest in developmental biology. Alongside research, she is also fascinated with the entrepreneurial side of science where advances in research can be translated beyond the laboratory into innovative technologies. As Operations Manager at The North-West Biotech Initiative, she is looking forward to organising events and helping students explore the various career trajectories in STEM. Outside of University, Tushita enjoys playing the piano and finding new books to read.

Nil is a final year Bsc Molecular Biology student at the University of Manchester. She is very interested in neuroimmunology, glioblastomas, and rare diseases. After her Bachelor’s, she wants to research these complex intersections of the nervous system and the immune system that can lead to rare diseases or affect the severity of a known disease. As one of the Operations Managers, she is excited and passionate to organise events to connect students all across the university for them to understand and narrow down their career paths. In her free time, she loves trying out new cuisines and drinking coffee or going to the pub with her friends.

Eve is a recent BSc Genetics graduate from the University of Manchester, and is continuing her studies with an MSc in Biotechnology & Enterprise. Having been part of the North-West Biotech Initiative for the past two years, Eve is now entering her third year and is excited to continue facilitating connections between students and industry professionals whilst simultaneously providing opportunities to explore careers across the sector. During her studies, she gained practical experience within the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine at St Mary’s Hospital, working with CRISPR/Cas9 edited cell lines and observing their unexpected behaviour through sequencing and bioinformatic approaches. She is particularly interested in the combination of Biotechnology, innovation and business, and how scientific discoveries can be translated into real-world applications and impact. Through her academic and laboratory experience, she has developed a strong interest in the life sciences industry and the diverse career opportunities available beyond traditional research. Outside of her studies, Eve loves to travel, play the piano, and spend time with her friends.

Francisco is a final year BSc Biotechnology with Entrepreneurship student at the University of Manchester, interested in translating scientific discoveries into therapies and biotech ventures. He recently completed a placement in regulatory operations at Pfizer coordinating international submissions and exploring the links between drug development, commercial strategy and external innovation. He also combined synthetic biology research with sponsorship and finance responsibilities in Manchester’s 2024 iGEM team. As an Operations and Finance committee member at NWBI since 2024, Francisco has helped organise the first Build a Biotech competition in collaboration with IBIC, connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with mentors and industry professionals. He also helped launch PRIMED Manchester and supports outreach for 50y’s 5050 accelerator programme. Through these roles, he is keen to help students explore careers across bioscience, business and investment and discover opportunities to turn their scientific ideas into ventures.

Dawood is a third-year BSc Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Manchester, currently completing a year-long Diagnostic Assay Development placement at QIAGEN. He has a strong interest in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, particularly regulatory affairs and the role of regulatory processes in bringing new medicines and healthcare technologies to patients. He is also interested in life sciences consulting and how scientific, commercial and regulatory considerations come together to shape decision-making across the industry. As part of the North West Biotech Initiative, Dawood is keen to help create opportunities for students to engage with the biotech and wider life sciences sector, explore different career pathways and connect with professionals across various industrial areas. Outside of university and work, Dawood enjoys playing tennis and football, as well as gaming and listening to music.