Blog

National Mentoring Day 2021
26 October 2021

Today, the 27 October 2021, is National Mentoring Day and this year we have teamed up with our Careers and Enterprise team to recognise and celebrate a handful of alumni and non-alumni who are involved with and have been involved with our QMentoring scheme at Queen Mary. 

Gloriose Hitimana - alumni profile
25 October 2021

While many of these diversity and inclusion programmes aim to do good, they still stem from a “knight syndrome” mentality. If it was not for current trends, cancel culture, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), or the bottom-line, would these companies still be as proactive as they try to be now?

(Artificial Intelligence MSc, 2020)

Alumni profile - Keshia East
22 October 2021

I love being half Ghanaian; I really embrace and love my culture. My mum was born and bred in Ghana, so when I was growing up, she made sure to teach me the language, culture and how to make the best Ghanaian dishes. I’m so lucky that she taught me these things. Whenever someone meets me and sees how integrated I am into both of my cultures, it gives me great joy!

(History BA, 2013)

Student recipient profile - Parsa Nazari
20 October 2021

Parsa Nazari is a third-year medical student at Barts and The London. He was born in Iran and moved to London with his family at age 3. Parsa is a recipient of the Annual Fund Scholarship for Excellence for high academic attainment supported by our generous alumni.

Alumni profile - Natasha Olutayo
18 October 2021

There isn’t a one size fits all solution to all the issues faced by the Black community unfortunately because we are living in a system that has taken hundred of years to build. It may take just as long to tear it down, but I think that the process to get there will involve a lot of Black people and communities reclaiming their power and changing our mindset.

(Computer Science BSc, 2017; Computer Science MSc, 2018)

Alumni profile - Tomiwa Owolade
18 October 2021

[My book] is a critique of a tendency to conflate the experiences and cultures of the black British population with the black American population. Obviously, there are instances when comparisons are valid, but the assumption, which I found pervasive after the Black Lives Matter protests last year, that we can analyse black Britain through an American lens, is reductive.

(English BA, 2018)

Alumni profile - Grace Ama Issahaque
18 October 2021

To mark Black History Month and its 2021 theme, Grace Ama Issahaque reflects on why she is 'Proud to Be' in regards to her education and career, her country, and the inspiring individuals who have come before her and who will follow in her footsteps in the legal sector. 

(Computer and Communications Law LLM, 2017)

Alumni profile - Sadiqah Musa
12 October 2021

I am a co-founder of Black in Data. I work on data strategic projects and provide actionable insights that impact decision making to increase revenue. The data world is new, fresh, and young, which fuels my passion to see more people that look like me in the industry.

(Environmental Science BSc, 2005)

Alumni profile - Maria Mercado
10 October 2021

We interviewed Maria for World Mental Health Day: "According to Mind, 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year, and often we aren’t coping with these challenges in healthy ways. In light of the severe impact the pandemic has also had on our wellbeing, it's imperative that people have access to practical tools to help keep a sense of balance and stability within their physical and mental health."

(Marketing MSc, 2012)

Alumni profile - Jon Stevens
8 October 2021

In my job I get to travel across south east England visiting a variety of sites from construction projects that are having their environmental impact assessed, to potential sites for redevelopment where land remediation needs to be put in place. I regularly look into geology and hydrogeology and work closely with our ecologists.

(Freshwater and Marine Ecology MSc, 2019)

Student recipient profile - Joseph Thompson
7 October 2021

Joe is a medical student at Barts and The London. He is from Dorset and moved to London to study Medicine. Joe was awarded an Annual Fund Scholarship of Excellence supported by our alumni. Read on to find out how alumni support helped Joe. 

Alumni profile - Ayotunde Rufai
6 October 2021

Fashion has always been an expression of a community and/or individuals who represent a community. You cannot separate the two, and to get people to buy into any idea you need to make them feel a part of a community. For Jendaya, our aim to do luxury “The African way” means that our culture is one of our differentiators; the African identity is vibrant and fashion-forward which translates into our clothing and our branding. 

(Biology BSc, 2014)

Alumni profile - Tolu Ojo-Williams
5 October 2021

In a world edging towards polarising extremes, recalling history is crucial to remind us of times past which mirror contemporary times, in order for the global community to avoid making the same errors as before. So, for me Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a society, celebrating the growth and freedom that has been claimed through that journey, and amplifying the voices of those who continue to win victories for us in their everyday lives. Black History Month is an intentional time to appreciate and educate each other. 

(Law LLB, 2016)

Alumni profile - Dr Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu
1 October 2021

As part of my role at NASA, I am responsible for designing, building, managing, and delivering a robotics system to Mars. I feel extremely fortunate to work for an organisation where our work genuinely impacts the whole world. NASA and space exploration is making technology and innovation accessible to everyone!

(Avionics BEng, 1991)

Alumni Profile - Mehdi Azmayesh
30 September 2021

I look back on my experience at Queen Mary as one of the fondest periods of my life to date. I made friendships that will last a lifetime, I’ve overcome challenges that have made me a stronger person, grappled with maturing and having to make difficult decisions, and, of course, enjoyed the process of studying and obtaining my degree. 

(Politics BA, 2016)

Former Staff Remembered - Professor Peter Kopelman (1951-2021)
29 September 2021

Peter Kopelman had a most distinguished and varied career as a physician, educator and an international research worker in the subject of obesity. He led the governance of three medical schools and finally served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of London.

Alumni profile - Simon Gao
28 September 2021

I love my experience of living in London for study, mostly living in the campus. The residential services and resources were brilliant. I think it’s quite rare to be provided with this level of residential support among universities located in London. What surprised me, in a good and fun way, was the level of security against the fire. It’s understandable and highly appreciated.

(Management of Intellectual Property MSc, 2014)

Alumni profile - Maria Carmona
27 September 2021

My role is a great opportunity for me to build a positive culture around innovative projects and sustainable solutions in the fight against climate change.

(Astrophysics BSc, 2017)

Alumni profile - Hussain Khan
21 September 2021

This is one of the most hectic and exciting times to be in politics. You have the Covid-19 Pandemic, the US presidential elections, global human rights violations, and a huge international shift in how people work and conduct business. It is a crazy time to be in politics, but that’s what keeps me going.

(International Business and Politics MSc, 2020)

Student story - Hussain Gondal
15 September 2021

Hussain Gondal is an Accounting and Finance student at Queen Mary University of London. He accepted a place to study at QMUL after obtaining A*, A* and B in his A-Levels (Economics, Philosophy and Politics). He lives in east London and is the first in his family to go to university. Hussain is one of the recipients of the Annual Fund Scholarship supported by our alumni and friends of the university.

Alumni profile - Kelvin Wong
14 September 2021

Having served as the Malaysian alumni ambassador for the past 7 years, I have grown a passion for helping prospective students in understanding Queen Mary better and connecting alumni for career opportunities. I understand the importance of networking and I am dedicated to help my fellow alumni and students to network with each other.

(Law LLB, 2013)

Alumni profile - Dr Peter Holt
10 September 2021

The highlight of my career was being able to straddle all the legs of the 3-legged academic stool - teaching, clinical care and research. I have truly loved my career, a love that was only a little less than my love of spouse and children.

(Medicine MBBS, 1954)

Alumni profile - José Bencosme Zayas
7 September 2021

I dream of creating educational institutions for performance artists in my country. I also dream of better working conditions for my colleagues and future generations. I hope that all the performances and projects I create or participate in, always speak to the audiences as testimonies of our times. Some of these things might take five or ten years… some I might never see. The peak is giving my best for a better arts ecosystem in my immediate reality.

(Theatre and Performance MA, 2018)

Alumni profile - Michael Larrick
3 September 2021

I love learning, problem solving, and a good creative challenge. This is what led me to international law and arbitration in particular, because it presents challenges that really excite me. And if you are intellectually engaged, that makes it easier to provide genuine, quality representation.

(Comparative and International Dispute Resolution LLM, 2020)

Alumni profile - Andy Kempchinsky
1 September 2021

I chose Queen Mary for the conversion programme, which allows people without backgrounds in engineering to integrate into the field. The horizons of my knowledge were expanded by my degree. 

(Biomedical Engineering MSc, 2020).

Alumni profile - Martina Olivieri
26 August 2021

The beauty of a career in dentistry is that it opens countless opportunities. I have colleagues who have not only gone on to be general dentists, but also marketing assistants, researchers, university professors and many more. The variety of options means I do not feel restricted, and know I can tailor my career to exactly what I want.

(Dentistry BDS, 2020)

Student story - Abdinasir Ibrahim
25 August 2021

Abdinasir is an Accounting and Management student at Queen Mary. Abdinasir was awarded an Annual Fund Scholarship and shared how the award supported him during his first year at University.

Queen Mary Annual Fund Scholarship recipient (2020-2022)

Alumni profile - Jim Hoare
24 August 2021

I had wanted to study history almost from when I first went to school. In 1961, I was offered a place at the University of Nottingham and at Queen Mary College (QMC). To be honest, I knew little about either, but QMC seemed the more prestigious – and it was in London. I never regretted my decision. 

(History BA, 1964)

Alumni profile - Muhammad Umer
23 August 2021

I would strongly recommend Biomedical Sciences to any aspiring medic due to the course being very broad and having a unique medical component that not many other institutions can offer. I secured my place at Queen Mary via clearing and it has been the best experience of my life.

(Biomedical Sciences BSc, 2020)

Alumni profile - Alexandra Millman
17 August 2021

I’m quite proud of being able to work in Paris (for the time being!) I come to work every day and speak in two different languages, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to exercise my brain and my professional interests in this capacity.

(International Relations (Paris) MA, 2020)

Alumni profile - Yongyuth Yuthavong
16 August 2021

When I first started working in Thailand, there was virtually no support for scientific research and scientific policy was virtually non-existent. I therefore thought that I should devote my effort to these issues as well as technical work.

(Chemistry BSc, 1966)

Alumni profile - Eliza Yachimowicz
11 August 2021

After receiving my BS in Communications in the US, I wanted to gain a better understanding of marketing and eventually transition into more of a marketing/business-focused career. I also wanted to take the opportunity to live abroad and experience life outside of the US. Queen Mary felt like the perfect balance of those two things. I gained a tremendous amount of life experience while also getting an MSc degree at a Russell Group institution. I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity.

(Marketing MSc, 2020)

Alumni profile - Anis Islam
4 August 2021

I had always wanted to study in London and Queen Mary had the most liberal course options which explored Geography from non-western perspectives. They are also the only Russell Group university in London with a campus and they had some of the best field trip options in the country!

(Geography BA, 2018)

Alumni profile - Phebian Odufuwa
2 August 2021

My main goal in life is to use my knowledge and expertise in botany and bioinformatics to create meaningful and impactful solutions for the climate/environmental challenges facing the human populace in contemporary times.

(Plant and Fungal Taxonomy, Diversity and Conservation MSc, 2019)

Clearing alumni profile - Rebecca Dooley
29 July 2021

Clearing turned an awful situation on its head and provided me with a way to not be held back by missing my grades. I am so thankful Clearing was available as an option, and that it was such an easy process, given the stressful circumstances!

(History BA, 2013)

Alumni profile - Iria Giuffrida
27 July 2021

Some people are very clear from early on that they are going to be lawyers – I was not one of them. Law was a means to an end; I like structure, and I’ve always liked solving problems, although I would be lying if I said I was aware of it at the time. It just felt like the kind of degree that trains you for ‘the real world’. Whether you want to be a lawyer or not, studying Law teaches you a rigorous way of thinking, of questioning things, of trying to build logical arguments, which can serve you well whatever career you pursue.

(English and European Law LLB, 2001; Law PhD, 2009)

Alumni profile - Elena Pedrini
27 July 2021

My academic path has been heavily focused on statistics, data analytics and machine learning as well as programming, and what I do in my job is basically all of this. I feel very lucky that I have found job opportunities in the field that I’m passionate about and that I’ve studied many years for.

(Big Data Science MSc, 2019)

Alumni profile - Sebolelo Gebhardt
22 July 2021

I never thought I would live in Switzerland, learn how to speak French, or really enjoy a career as an investment professional! I made plans but I was open to deviations along the way. In the words of Joseph Campbell, “we must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

(English and Drama BA, 2010)

Student story - Rasheed Uddin
21 July 2021

Rasheed is a Biology student at Queen Mary University of London and a recipient of the William Spilsbury Scholarship. The award is supported by the late Mr William Spilsbury, BA German 1960, who kindly left the University a gift in his Will to support students in hardship.

Alumni profile - Paige Dixon
13 July 2021

The best thing about working in heritage management is that I am always learning something new. New research is always being conducted and new information is always coming to light. I find that even if I think that I know all there is to know about a subject in history, there is always something new to learn, or a different perspective to consider.

(Heritage Management MA, 2020)

Alumni profile - Eathan Plaschka
13 July 2021

I always thought the best route to learning from an international and diverse community was to completely immerse myself in one. And, there was no better place to do such a thing other than at Queen Mary. I had always wanted to complete my studies in the UK, and I knew that I could benefit from the experience of studying alongside many other international students.

(Mechanical Engineering BEng, 2020)

Alumni profile - Franck Ulrich Zahou Koula
8 July 2021

I am very proud and honoured to be part of the Queen Mary University of London global alumni community. I still have my graduation photo fixed somewhere at home, so that every visitor can see, and so that it can motivate my younger relatives!

(Mathematics, Business Management and Finance BSc, 2006)

Alumni profile - Majeed Lashari
7 July 2021

Studying on a Chevening Scholarship at Queen Mary was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Being chosen as Queen Mary’s Chevening Chapter leader is an honour. Personally, it has already helped me relive many precious moments from one of the best years of my life.

(Public International Law LLM, 2017)

Student story - Chandni Patel
7 July 2021

Chandni is a final year medical student at Barts and The London. She is one of the students to receive the Scholarship for Excellence this year funded by our generous Barts and The London alumni.

Alumni profile - Shahida Pervin
6 July 2021

 At the CPD, I got involved in studies crucial for the Bangladesh economy, including estimating women’s unpaid contribution to the economy, Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC, reviewing macroeconomic and social indicators of the country, etc.

(Economics MSc, 2018)

Life in Halls - Margaret Devitt
1 July 2021

As part of our ongoing 'Life in Halls' series, alumna Margaret Devitt (History BA, 1961) reflects on her time living in halls and her overall university experience from 1958-1961. 

Alumni profile - Paul Eguia
1 July 2021

Beside my job as a Sustainable Sourcing Strategy Manager, my partner Eva and I have just bought a farm for our agroecosystem. As conservationists, we felt that the best contribution we could bring to biodiversity conservation was to help the mentality shift for land use and food production. This project was only made possible by our scientific approach and education.

(Plant and Fungal Taxonomy, Diversity and Conservation MSc, 2018). 

Student Story: Henry Weaver
30 June 2021

I’m so grateful to be awarded an Alumni-funded Scholarship. The funds have helped me survive this difficult time and enabled me to keep eating, pay rent and buy my study resources. 

Henry Weaver, QMUL Annual Fund Scholarship recipient 2020-

Life in Halls - John Lucas
30 June 2021

As part of our newly launched and ongoing 'Life in Halls' series, alumnus John Lucas (Economics and Geography MSc, 1968) takes the opportunity to reflect on what it was like to live in Creed Hall during his master's degree and how his time in Halls has greatly influenced his subsequent career. 

Queen Mary alumni recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021
24 June 2021

We are thrilled to announce that eight Queen Mary alumni were recently named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. The honours acknowledge the outstanding achievements of people across the UK, and we are delighted that members of our alumni community stand among the 1,129 individuals who have been recognised.

Women in Tech - Laura Hartley
22 June 2021

There is a gender gap in the tech industry and we're hoping to help change this by launching an ongoing ‘Women in Tech’ series which will shine a spotlight on female-identifying alumni working in this industry. Today's feature is Laura Hartley (Associate Student, 2010), Manager, Enterprise Security Advisory & Awareness at National Australia Bank. 

Alumni profile - Hilary Stewart-Jones
22 June 2021

I began my knowledge and interest in the gambling sector whilst at Ladbrokes which at that time ran betting shops, casinos and racetracks across multiple jurisdictions. The industry is unique; it is highly regulated but is evolving and inventive.

(Law LLB, 1982)

Alumni profile - Shaylaan Auzine
21 June 2021

My degree has helped me to fulfil my ambition to be an aeronautical engineer and gain a wealth of knowledge about various scientific contributions to the aircraft industry through modules such aerodynamics, fluid mechanics and propulsion.

(Aerospace Engineering MEng, 2014)

Student Story - Ines Sousa
17 June 2021

Ines is a fourth-year medical student at Barts and The London. She is currently doing her intercalated year on BSc Neuroscience. Ines is a recipient of the Scholarship for Excellence award this year for high academic attainment. These awards are supported by our generous alumni.

Women in Tech - Jasneet Taak
17 June 2021

There is a gender gap in the tech industry and we're hoping to help change this by launching an ongoing ‘Women in Tech’ series which will shine a spotlight on female-identifying alumni working in this industry. Today's feature is Co-Founder of Accelerate and Graduate Software Developer, Jasneet Taak (Physics BSc, 2019).

Alumni profile - Kim Yudelowitz
16 June 2021

I decided to take on a Comparative Literature module and instantly enjoyed it. I really felt like I had found my calling. The modules were so diverse and broad, giving me a chance to read such an exciting range of literature.

(Comparative Literature BA, 2019)

Alumni profile - Mert Ergörün
8 June 2021

After completing my master’s degree in Business Finance, I came back to Turkey to run our family business which was focused on manufacturing of pharmaceuticals for animal healthcare. One year later, due to some industry related reasons, we have sold our shares in the company and that was a turning point in my life. As I had spent one year in QMUL and been exposed to its multicultural and diverse environment, the most important thing for me was to work in a place in which I could have the chance to communicate with people from different cultures.

(Business Finance MSc, 2013)

Student Story - Zhixin Yeo
8 June 2021

Zhixin is a final year medical student at Barts and The London. She is originally from Singapore and came to study in the UK. Zhixin is the first in her family to study medicine. She is one of the students to receive the Scholarship for Excellence this year funded by our generous Barts and The London alumni.

Alumni profile - Teona Mango
8 June 2021

Studying at Queen Mary taught me that changes are possible and social change is a team effort. I may not be able to change the world but changing the mindset of a small group of people is still a success and one step closer to the end goal.

(Politics and International Relations BA, 2019)

Alumni profile - Ene Audu
7 June 2021

I feel fortunate to have started out in a company that shares the idea that there needs to be equity as well as equality. I see so many strong women who I look up to and this motivates me to showcase what I can do. I am seen first for my value and not as a woman who happens to be in tech.

(Computer Science with Business Management BSc, 2016; Accounting and Management MSc, 2017)

Alumni Remembered - Jak Kissell
3 June 2021

This obituary summarises the life and work of James Alistair Kissell, known affectionately to his friends as 'Jak'. Jak studied English at Queen Mary College and graduated in 1961. 

Student story - Inaya Zaman
2 June 2021

Inaya is a first-year History student at Queen Mary University of London. She accepted her place to study after completing her A levels in History, Maths and Physics. Inaya grew up in East London. She is the first in her family to go to university.

Inaya Zaman (BA History 2020- )
Sally Sainsbury History Scholarship recipient (2020-2022)

Women in Tech - Raluca Semenescu
1 June 2021

There is a gender gap in the tech industry and we're hoping to help change this by launching an ongoing ‘Women in Tech’ series which will shine a spotlight on female-identifying alumni working in this industry. Today's feature is Raluca Semenescu (Creative Computing BSc, 2020), UX/UI Designer at TikTok. 

Alumni profile - Abeera Mohammad
1 June 2021

I find it amazing knowing that I have helped make an impact to bring a treatment to patients who have so little options out there. Making treatments available quickly can literally be the difference of life and death for someone, especially in the oncology (cancer) space, so it can be a motivator when you are doing the analysis to ensure it is delivered quickly and to a high quality.

(Mathematics and Statistics BSc, 2016) 

Student story - Diana Hysenaj
26 May 2021

Diana is a first-year Politics and International Relations student at Queen Mary University of London. Diana is of Albanian heritage and one of six siblings in her family. She attended a state school in Newham and within the first generation in her family to go to university. 

Diana Hysenaj, Annual Fund recipient (2020-2022)

Alumni profile - Fran Ridout
25 May 2021

Professor Nigel Spencer from Queen Mary, two other co-collaborators from outside Queen Mary, and I got together to make a podcast about legal careers. The whole idea is about diversity and democratising knowledge about the industry. We want an individual who doesn’t have a family member or family friend in Law to have as many insights into the profession as someone who does. We have episodes on different topics which might interest our listeners.

(Law LLB, 2006)

Alumni profile - Harriet Reed
18 May 2021

I have always been passionate about history, museums and the past lives of objects. Working at the V&A has been a privilege, not only in terms of its collection, but to collaborate with colleagues equally as passionate about history and public engagement.

(History BA, 2013)

Alumni profile - Dan Harrold
17 May 2021

In terms of my career so far, I have been fortunate enough to have helped with the conservation of endangered species and with improving the welfare and nutrition of captive animals within zoological institutions such as Zoological London Society (ZSL).

(Zoology BSc, 2015)

Alumni profile - Nadiur Rahman
17 May 2021

Climate change is an issue close to my heart and I believe we as humans are responsible for sustainable living to safeguard future generations. At Carnot Ltd, I believe we have found a new method of sustainably producing energy capable of meeting the growing demands of the human race.

(Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Experience MEng, 2018)

Alumni profile - Maisie Hall
13 May 2021

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses and are often misunderstood and misrepresented in society and the media. I really wanted to be part of a charity that was dedicated to helping everyone regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or background. 

(English BA, 2018)

Alumni profile - Rawan Hassan
13 May 2021

Across the globe, 2020 saw a rise in the acknowledgement of human right violations, with many suffering disproportionally at the hands of unjust governments and a pandemic. Carrying on with the theme of amplifying voices, I started a petition against the inhumane treatment of migrant groups in Cyprus and mobilised a community of athletes to pledge unprecedented mileage to raise funds for drastically needed aid in Yemen.

(Psychology BSc, 2019)

Alumni profile - Lara Conboy
12 May 2021

There is a huge demand for language graduates. Not only are they able to show off their linguistic abilities, but they have also developed unique interdisciplinary skills, ranging from communication and project management, through to creative thinking and a high level of writing.

(French and German BA, 2019)

Alumni profile - Charlotte Watson
11 May 2021

I think it’s really important to acknowledge that it will have been exceedingly hard for most people to maintain good mental health for the duration of the last year, and that struggling is a normal response to a set of circumstances which can be massively challenging and have been, for some people, traumatic.

(Politics BA, 2016)

Alumni profile - Yakama Manty Jones
11 May 2021

As an entrepreneur Dr. Jones is the Chief Executive Officer of Peninsular Innovative Group, an indigenous company operating in the shipping and manufacturing industries in Sierra Leone. The company is also one of the leading manufacturers of consumables under the brand 'Crystal Clear’ where they currently produce products such as water, detergent powder, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices.

(Economics and Finance MSc, 2010)

Student Story - Reshma Begum
11 May 2021

Reshma is a first-year History student at Queen Mary and is one of this year’s Sally Sainsbury History Scholarship recipients.

Reshma Begum, Sally Sainsbury History Scholarship recipient 2020

Alumni profile - Vidura
10 May 2021

I was part way into my third year and heading towards a failure when the University agreed to give me a year out so that I could prioritise my mental health. Mental health affects us all, therefore it’s something we all need to address openly in society. Acceptance is the first step in normalising admitting that we need help.

(Aerospace Engineering MEng, 2012)

Alumni profile - Krishan Patel
5 May 2021

Dr Krishan Patel qualified in Medicine in 2019 and is currently works as an F2 Doctor. Krishan shared with us his experience working as a Student Explainer during his time at Barts and The London and how that has helped his career now. 

(Medicine, MBBS, 2019)

Alumni profile - Alistair Hatch
4 May 2021

I look back on my time at Queen Mary very fondly. It opened my eyes to everything I wanted from an experience away from home comforts and taught me the values of being respectful, reflective, and understanding of those around me. It really did shape who I have become today.

(History BA, 2002)

Alumni profile - Zoe Chen
27 April 2021

It is not your job to impress everyone, if you are constantly worried about what people think of you, you will never get to where you need to be in life and end up stuck with the consequences of your own actions. Make a conscious effort to make autonomous decisions, remember to have fun and shape the future you want for yourself.

(Law LLB, 2019)

Alumni profile - Justine Tizzard
27 April 2021

I was headhunted on LinkedIn by Chatteris Educational Foundation in Hong Kong to start working for them in January 2020. Since then, I have been based in the beautiful city of Hong Kong working as a STEM Project Coordinator. My work is very interesting and difficult to explain to people because every day is very different.

(Chemistry BSc, 2018)

Alumni profile - Vijay Modaher
22 April 2021

On A-level results day I was shocked to see that I had missed my entry grades by one. Fortunately, I was still offered a place and I ended up completing a degree that was two grades higher than my A-levels, which just goes to show that A-levels are your ticket to university, but not necessarily a reflection of your true ability.

(Mathematics MSci, 2015)

Alumni profile - Daniel Robson
22 April 2021

My experience at Queen Mary gave me the first-hand experience that I draw upon every day in my job. I have lived so many of the experiences that our students are and can advise them from a genuine place. It gave me connections which have been a source of support ever since.

(Film Studies BA, 2012)

Alumni profile - Matthew Robertson
21 April 2021

Matthew Robertson graduated with a degree in History and Postgrad in Management at Queen Mary. He is now a Senior Executive in Efficio Consultancy. Matthew told us about his time at Queen Mary, his career till date and why he decided to support our students during the pandemic. 

Alumni profile - Andrew Hyams
20 April 2021

I love helping charities and non-profits raise money, recruit new supporters or hone their messages. I get a real sense that by supporting them it can transform the impact for people who are less fortunate than me.

(History of Political Thought and Intellectual History MA, 2013)

Alumni profile - Juan Carlos Fernández Gómez
16 April 2021

I used my time at Queen Mary to build the technology that I’m currently trying to deploy within my company, SmartMaze. This company focuses on software development and the implementation of IoT solutions to improve the performance of public transportation in developing cities.

(Internet of Things MSc, 2019)

Alumni profile - Supaset Sothonsirimongkol
15 April 2021

I would like to share my knowledge related to risk management and investment management to those who are interested in saving money and gaining financial freedom. I also plan to become a mentor or part-time lecturer at a university. I want to contribute back to the society and my country.

Student Story: Alexander Choysbonov
14 April 2021

Alexander is an Economics, Statistics and Mathematics student at Queen Mary. He is a mature student and lives in East London. Alexander is a recipient of an alumni-funded scholarship and told us how the award made a difference to his university experience. 

Alumni profile - Maeve McMahon
14 April 2021

For me, statistics is one of the most important and rewarding parts of the Civil Service. We provide impartial and reliable information on data that the government holds. Without our publications, the public wouldn’t know how many Covid vaccines have been given or how many people have lost work since lockdown. Or, indeed, how many babies are named Oliver and Olivia every year!

(Psychology PhD, 2019)

Alumni profile - Amy Sargeant
13 April 2021

My time at Queen Mary really helped me to work out what I was interested in and what I wanted to do as a career. The opportunity to be able to learn about film theory and history, as well as practical filmmaking, really solidified my interest in documentary as a whole and also influenced how I go about making films today.

Alumni profile - Simon Mills
12 April 2021

My Engineering degree has meant that I have ended up in locations that resemble those found in a James Bond movie. I have visited places like CERN, and a power station in Scotland that's ¼ of a mile underneath a mountain with giant hydroelectric turbines - both seem like being in a villain’s lair!

Alumni profile - Andrew Proctor
8 April 2021

On arrival at Queen Mary College as it was known back then, I was fascinated by the interface between biology and chemistry. After graduation I explored various avenues including clinical biochemistry and biology lecturing before finding food science, which was a perfect fit for my interests and background.

Alumni profile - Katie Momber
6 April 2021

The experience of studying in a new country was amazing, the friendships I made were particularly close, and Western Australia is breathtakingly beautiful; I don’t know that I would have had reason to go there if not for the exchange.

Alumni profile - Nada Issa
1 April 2021

I am proud to be an engineer. I enjoyed studying engineering and I love working in the industry; I get a real sense of fulfillment from designing buildings that have a positive impact on both people’s lives and on the environment. 

Student Story: Symron Kaur
31 March 2021

Symron is a first-year Psychology student at Queen Mary University of London. She grew up in east London and attended a state school. Symron was awarded the Annual Fund Scholarship this year and shared with us how alumni gifts have supported her. 

Alumni profile - Tola Alade
31 March 2021

As a Data Scientist who is passionate about what she does on a day to day basis, I am able to share my passion with others with the hope of inspiring younger generations by sharing insights into how Mathematics can be used to build very cool applications to solve problems across a wide range of industries.

Alumni profile - Lauren Arch
29 March 2021

I saw a presenter workshop for my favourite online radio at the time and applied on a complete whim with zero radio experience. To my surprise, I got selected, and from there everything changed for me and I became dead set on working in radio full time.

Alumni profile - Annie Andoh
29 March 2021

The beauty of working in social media is that the industry is always changing, and the way people consume content continues to evolve. My interests very much lie with seeing these changes and being creative with how we connect with people.

Women's History Month - alumnae philanthropists
27 March 2021

Today's Women's History Month post shines a spotlight on two alumnae donors: Dr Beatrice Worthing (French BA, 1936; PhD, 1950) and Miss Sally Sainsbury (History BA, 1962). 

Women's History Month - Professor Dame Parveen Kumar DBE
26 March 2021

The eighth pioneer of our Women’s History Month campaign is Professor Dame Parveen Kumar DBE, BSc, MD, DM, DSc, DEd, FRCP, FRCPE, FRCPI, FRCPG, FRCPath, FIMA, FICG (Medicine MBBS, 1966), Emerita Professor of Medicine and Education at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. 

Alumni profile - Harry Walmsley
26 March 2021

I was a senior registrar at Kings College Hospital on a year’s rotation to Brighton when I had a major crash on the A23 colliding with a lamppost. I spent 3 weeks on ICU and 5 months in hospital and had my right leg amputated above the knee, major reconstruction of my left knee and 92 units of blood during my time in hospital. My wife was told that I had a 50:50 chance of surviving. 

Alumni profile - Costanza Casati
26 March 2021

Characters are what matters the most when you’re writing a book. If you don’t understand your characters deeply, feel and care for them, then no one else will.

Celebrating 50 years of Bangladeshi Independence - Alumni story
25 March 2021

Bangladesh 50 is an exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the birth of Bangladesh. The exhibition will explore the impact of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, and the experience of the Bangladeshi community, many of whom came to settle in Tower Hamlets. In this blog post, English alumna, Sabiya Khatun, talks about how getting involved with the exhibition as a Citizen Researcher resonated with the interests she was able to explore during her degree and why members of the Queen Mary community should go and see it.

Alumni profile - Victoria Kemp
24 March 2021

During my PhD I had the pleasure of working in a naturally hyper-diverse landscape, but I also witnessed the devastating conversion of this landscape for cash crops. After seeing habitat destruction and the effect on local ecosystems, I was interested to find a way to help mitigate this impact, with a focus on developing sustainable, local food systems. This is how Pea-Fu was born.

Alumni profile - Marjan Nur
24 March 2021

London is the most amazing city I have ever been to. Because of the nature of my job and traveling being a passion of mine, my interest has taken me to 38 countries, and among them I have found, and still find, London the most vibrant, multicultural, and welcoming. No matter where you are from, you will be able to find the little version of your country in this city.

Alumni Donor profile - Nayomi Kasthuriarachchi
24 March 2021

Nayomi Kasthuriarachchi graduated with a degree in Statistics, Computing, Operational Research and Mathematics with Management Studies from Queen Mary University of London in 2001. She is now self-employed and works part-time as a Financial Consultant. She told us about her time at Queen Mary and why she decided to support students during the Pandemic.

Alumni profile - Siti Kasim
23 March 2021

When I first came back to Malaysia in 2004, I had no idea about the existence of our indigenous people. This subject is not taught in our schools. No one talks about them. I joined the Human Rights Committee under the Bar Council in 2007 and that’s when I realised there are many human rights issues in Malaysia. I started visiting the villages of the Orang Asli, which is the word for the peninsula indigenous people, and I learnt about the issues, and I saw who they are.

Alumni profile - Gurjeet Kahlon
19 March 2021

The journey to my degree was very difficult. I was never great at maths and had multiple maths teachers (all male) who told me I shouldn’t pursue physics as I wouldn’t be able to handle it. At the time, I was too timid to address it, but it wasn’t fair and I definitely wouldn’t stand for it now. I dealt with the discrimination I faced by proving my maths teachers wrong.

Women's History Month - Professor Asma Khalil Elboraey
17 March 2021

The third pioneer of our Women’s History Month campaign is Professor Asma Khalil Elboraey (Medicine MD, 2009).

Alumni profile - Henry Preston
17 March 2021

My role is to provide support to the UK's current Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) fleet through post irradiation evaluation of fuel and graphite. This involves designing and planning lab experiments and I also perform underwater video inspections of spent fuel in power station cooling ponds, across the AGR sites in the UK, to support continued safe operation.

Alumni profile - Matt Kay
16 March 2021

Under different circumstances, I would never have been able to go and see what an all-female sumo wrestling dojo in Japan looks like, but because I was making a film, I was able to spend time with these really inspirational, amazing women.

Alumni profile - Shayan Ashjaei
15 March 2021

I graduated from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry back in 2019 as one of the first cohorts of Physician Associates, which are relatively new in the NHS.

Alumni profile - Dr Ibilola Amao
12 March 2021

My focus sectors are male-dominated ones such as the Energy, Power, Infrastructure, Oil and Gas Industries. I have challenged the perception that women cannot build successful careers in these male-dominated industries as CEO of my own business, and I mentor and empower future generations of women to do the same.

Alumni profile - Richard Learwood
9 March 2021

I started a project with Tower Hamlets, the university and Barclays to give the Mile End Road a makeover. Tower Hamlets were keen to be involved because they saw the road as the public face of the borough and the university and local business saw the benefits too. So the plan was that I was going to be employed for a year by Tower Hamlets to oversee the scheme, but six weeks before the end of my term as President, central government redirected the funds away from Tower Hamlets and I was jobless!

Alumni profile - Heidi Cheng
9 March 2021

I grew up in a city that puts a lot of emphasis on English and where there is a great demand for English teachers. When I visited London for the first time as a tourist at 16, I was hosted by a local British family. Being able to be understood by native English speakers was such a cool feeling and it really fueled my interest in English learning and teaching further. 

Women's History Month - Professor Rosemary Wyse
8 March 2021

The third pioneer of our Women’s History Month campaign is Professor Rosemary Wyse (Physics and Astrophysics BSc, 1977). Rosemary is an astrophysicist, Alumni Centennial Professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at Johns Hopkins University, and Queen Mary Honorary Graduate.

Alumni profile - Ella Haines-Kelvin
8 March 2021

I work alongside research practitioners, research nurses and doctors in the Early Phase Oncology Trials Team, facilitating Phase I & II trials for new experimental cancer medicines often tested for the first time in humans for a wide variety of cancer types. Offering patients a lifeline with experimental treatments and knowing that our work will translate to widescale clinical benefits if the drug in question is a long-term success is very rewarding!

Alumni profile - Miranda Burns
3 March 2021

I have loved radio since day dot. Whilst at Queen mary, I joined Quest as a new hobby; I started off with two shows a week and threw my all into them. In April 2018, after having covered with Rob Howard on and off for the last year, I was asked if I’d like to relocate to Brighton and launch a Capital there - obviously I said yes! 

Alumni profile - Joshua Leigh
2 March 2021

I think the thing that surprised me most, was myself. From learning to deal with and overcome my anxieties, to writing a detailed and comprehensive thesis, I was challenged throughout the MSc process and was able to rise to each challenge and ultimately succeed with my work, which lead me into pursuing research at PhD level. 

Alumni Angles: A conversation with BBC newsreader, Jane Hill
1 March 2021

We are absolutely delighted to announce that on Thursday 25 February, the Alumni Engagement Team launched our flagship engagement series ‘Alumni Angles’ to showcase the talent in the Queen Mary alumni community.

Student profile - Liam Langlois
25 February 2021

Queer individuals have been and are virtually present in every instance of society. Acknowledging their past and future contributions is fundamental firstly because they play a role in innovations and progress just like anyone else and because gender and sexual orientations only constitute a part of their identities.

Alumni profile - Adaeze Siwoniku
24 February 2021

There needs to be obvious visibility of women in STEM roles in all different hierarchical positions so that women aspiring to pursue STEM based careers have role models that they can see themselves reflected in. There also needs to be more of an effort to engage young women at secondary school level (and earlier) and once women do break into STEM based careers, there needs to be more of an effort to reduce barriers in the early stages of their careers.

Alumni profile - Mitch Harris
23 February 2021

It’s astonishing to look at the contribution LGBTQ+ people have made throughout history, and to know that many of them have only been acknowledged in recent years. I think we need to continue to find and highlight those people that have made extraordinary contributions that enable us to live as we do today.

Alumni profile - Beth Watton
22 February 2021

I am deeply passionate and committed to debunking both the myth and the reality, that the arts are an exclusive, elitist realm, accessible to and for a very white, privileged audience. My work gives me the perfect opportunity, space and platform to do this and that is what I enjoy most about it.

Alumni profile - Sam Miles
19 February 2021

Although my PhD was about a specific thing: dating apps on mobile phones for gay men in London, the questions that it interrogates are much wider. The answers I pursued were about how we use technology for our everyday social and sexual lives and how we rationalise this technology use. 

Alumni profile - Kerri Dixon-Jones
18 February 2021

Although Mental Health Law is a world away from the type of work I do now, that role was fundamental in teaching me about people and hard work and I am forever grateful for my manager Kate for her mentorship and friendship. It was the training Kate gave me that has made me successful in each role I have had since.

Alumni profile - Zoe Adams
17 February 2021

As a Teaching Fellow, I prepare and deliver content for Language & Health Communication, as well as supervise the students’ final research projects. This was a module that I designed as a PhD candidate in 2016, so it’s great to return and be the course convenor!

Santander Student Online Self-Development Programme
17 February 2021

Queen Mary University of London are thrilled to be taking part in the Student Online Self-Development Programme, powered by Santander Universities UK in collaboration with Sporting Edge. 19 Queen Mary students are participating in this programme and will have the chance of winning a £10,000 Santander Development Grant! 

Alumni profile - Dr Ben Walters
16 February 2021

There have been people in every society and every period of history whose experiences of gender identity and sexual desire aren’t contained by the fixed categories our culture thinks of as ‘straight’ and ‘cisgender’. Queerness is a normal, natural and consistent part of human life. Acknowledging, celebrating and learning from that would benefit everybody in society.

Honorary Graduate profile - Jeremy Curtis
15 February 2021

I have never been aware of many LGBTQ+ people in the space sector, but I think this has been due to reticence about bringing personal matters to work. I have been out at work for many years and cannot recall a negative reaction from a colleague. I talk about my husband and take him to work social events and he is always greeted with enthusiasm by my workmates.

Alumni profile - Helgi Johannsson
15 February 2021

I think there is still a way to go for equality, and we cannot be complacent. What can we do to further it now?

Qupid Love Story - Lillian Reza and Omair Raja
11 February 2021

In her own words, alumna Lillian Reza narrates her love story with alumnus Omair Raja, telling her audience how "Omair and I have been inseparable since the very first time we met. We connected through our shared love of Medicine, History and Politics" and how "this year, we are lucky to be celebrating fifteen years of being together and four years of married bliss."

Alumni profile - Raghad Zuraiki
11 February 2021

One of my long-term goals is to use my AI knowledge and skills to contribute to the technological developments in the healthcare sector to help fill in the need for available professionals which many disadvantaged countries are not able to provide. I also aspire to contribute towards making education available to everyone around the world, which unfortunately isn't possible right now due to a lack of funding, lack of proper educational materials, and lack of trained teachers.

Alumni profile - Anthony James
10 February 2021

Alumni profile - Samerah Saeed
9 February 2021

Personally, I find the most exciting part of being a surgical trainee is learning how to operate. It is always a great feeling to have learnt or improved upon a skill. However, the most satisfying and humbling feeling is being able to contribute to a person’s wellbeing, or at least being able to support them in a time of difficulty. I am very honoured to have been able to work for the NHS throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alumni profile - Laila El azhary
9 February 2021

There are a lot of things I learned while making this film. I got to understand some of the struggles that Kurdish people face. I got to learn about their history which is not something we are taught in schools. I also learnt about the frequent misrepresentation of them as a community.

Alumni profile - Charlotte Byrne
8 February 2021

There is still so much work to be done. While representation has grown over the last ten years or so, and it’s fantastic to see, I still believe there is a danger of tokenism and queer-baiting across the media... Give us complex trans characters in video games or gay couples in mainstream romance fiction - not a minor queer character to tick boxes, or a shot of a girl/girl kiss in a film trailer that might just be a symbol of a platonic friendship!

Alumni profile - Abby Crawford
7 February 2021

 I grew up with such limited information about the history of the LGBTQ+ community, and I wasn’t ever given the opportunity to learn about the impact and contributions of LGBTQ+ people at school. If we don’t include LGBTQ+ people in our shared history, it essentially erases people from the narrative, and this sends such a strong message to young people that ‘people like you don’t matter’.

Alumni profile - Kana Alam
5 February 2021

I loved the people on my course – some of them have become my best friends and we are still in touch with one another. There was something really comforting and inspiring about being friends with people who care about the same stuff as you, and at the time, climate change wasn’t as mainstream as it is now. It also somehow seemed like Queen Mary just brought the nicest people together, and that made the whole experience so enjoyable.

Student Story: Maria Vittoria
3 February 2021

"My name is Maria and I grew up in Rome, Italy. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at Queen Mary University and now studying Medicine at Barts and The London. I’m a recipient of the Scholarship for Excellence funded by our alumni. I want to share how the generous award supported by student journey."

Alumni profile - Evie Lewis
1 February 2021

My current research is very much informed by and carries on from my MA dissertation. Following on from my research into literary linguistic and formal experimentalism, I am now exploring the limits of discourse and language, and am interested in novels that have silences, gaps, or absences at the centre of their narrative – the expressive potential of this but also its limitations.

Alumni profile - Annabelle Sami
1 February 2021

One of the best things about studying in London, and specifically in the East End, is that I was studying with, and being taught by, a diverse group of people. East London has a rich history of migration and revolutionary resistance which makes it an exciting and inspiring place to live and explore. 

Alumni profile - Aaron West
31 January 2021

LGBTQ+ History Month is first and foremost an opportunity to educate on the issues we have faced and continue to face as a community. While history is in the name, it is all about the present. This is more important than ever, as policy-makers are increasingly swayed by misinformation. LGBTQ+ history month is a great way of reaching and teaching these people to get the change we need and deserve.

Alumni profile - Dhan Hapuarachchi
28 January 2021

In my role as Service Delivery Manager: On-Wing Services (Europe) at Rolls-Royce, I am based at London Heathrow airport, close to our operational base, and I lead a team of twenty-four aero engine mechanics and one service operations officer. We have a global planning team which operates 24/7 as the department covers the globe, but my region is mainly Europe.

Alumni profile - Lucy Dear
27 January 2021

The variation in the course helped me to explore and identify my voice as an artist and what I care about which has been central to my practice as an applied theatre practitioner ever since. 

Alumni profile - Roxy Baker
26 January 2021

In challenging times such as the one we are living through, being able to connect with people is vital. A historical understanding of the Holocaust reminds us of the importance of this, and what types of events could happen and what types of humans we could be if we choose division and radicalism over tolerance, and homogeneity over diversity. 

Alumni profile - Dr Victoria Grace Walden
25 January 2021

The thing I most enjoyed about my PhD was the ever-expanding community it exposed me to, from colleagues and peers at Queen Mary, many of whom I have retained friendships with, to wider academic and professional networks. It gave me the confidence to reach out to institutions working in Holocaust and genocide memory and education to form partnerships that we hope will push forward socio-cultural change. 

Alumni profile - Bhavin Borkhatria
25 January 2021

I thoroughly enjoy seeing nervous patients and watching them grow in confidence.

Alumni profile - Eleanor Krawczyk
20 January 2021

Filmmaking was completely new to me, but the Documentary Practice module was a revelation, and I was not prepared for how much I loved it. We were taught both the theory of documentary as well as weekly workshops teaching us the vocation itself; learning to use the equipment was something I took to a lot more than I expected! 

Alumni profile - Phoebe Cousins
18 January 2021

Queen Mary has shaped the way I think about the past, the future and my confidence in myself and what I can achieve through dedicating time, passion and knowledge to the things I’m truly interested in.

Alumni profile - Seye Odukogbe
15 January 2021

In its first year Cycle to Class, the company I founded, gave out just over 350 bicycles, and today, we’ve impacted over 3,000 lives, worked with more than 20 communities in rural places, and trained over 500 children how to cycle and do basic maintenance of bicycles.

Student Story: Roy Bo Wang
13 January 2021

"I’m incredibly grateful to the alumni who made this award possible. I hope you realise that this award has made a big difference to my academic development and will enable me to achieve more. Your generosity does not go unnoticed and makes a huge difference in a student's university experience. You have inspired me to give back in the future."

Roy Bo Wang, Annual Fund Scholarship for Excellence recipient 2019-2020

Queen Mary alumni recognised in the New Year Honours List 2021
12 January 2021

We are delighted to announce that nine Queen Mary alumni have been recognised in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list. The honours mark the outstanding achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK and we are proud that members of our alumni community have been acknowledged once again for their significant contributions to their respective fields.

Alumni profile - Fahmida Ashiq
11 January 2021

Fahmida Ashiq shares her journey from working as a lawyer to being a full-time artist, receiving commissions from royal families, working with interior designers and the wider impact she aims to have on the world.

Alumni profile - Professor Andrew Pollard
11 January 2021

Read our interview with alumnus Professor Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, to gain an insight into the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which has now been given regulatory approval and is being rolled-out to the most vulnerable people in the UK and globally. Professor Pollard also reflects on his time at Barts and his fondness for mountaineering.

Student Futures: Surgical Skills for Students
6 January 2021

“In September 2020, I attended a Surgical Skills for Students course, held at King’s College Hospital and hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons. The course objectives were to learn safe methods of performing simple surgical techniques and have hands-on experience in practising these techniques. Support from alumni has helped fund this course which I’m grateful for.”

Hana Mahmood, 4th Year Medicine 

Alumni profile - Lotte Veale
4 January 2021

If I could go back and do it all again, I would. I have gained so much knowledge in only one year and didn’t want it to end! It’s such a great place to study, and the course was faultless. If you’re unsure, don’t be – just do it.

Alumni profile - Raluca Semenescu
17 December 2020

Currently, I am part of the Speech, Audio and Music Intelligence team in Europe for TikTok. I am mostly involved in music technology projects, where I collaborate with developers, data scientists and music producers to deliver new products for ByteDance.

Alumni profile - Megan Roberts
15 December 2020

Queen Mary gave me the starter skills for community engagement that I still use every day – it introduced me to different communities that are incredibly like the ones I engage with today, and it gave me the confidence to understand what a community wants, and what they need.

Queen Mary Emergency COVID-19 Fund- Shamima Akter's message
14 December 2020

The Queen Mary Emergency COVID-19 Fund aims to support students financially as well as emotionally during the global crisis. Shamima Akter, our elected President of Queen Mary Students’ Union 2020, shared why this Fund is crucial for our students during this very challenging time. 

Alumni profile - Charlotte Andrews-Briscoe
11 December 2020

I work as a Research Associate at the Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide. At the moment we are working on a report about women who are sentenced to death for drug offences – which, shockingly, is the fastest-growing death-punishable offence globally.

Alumni profile - Eleni Sophia
9 December 2020

I had published my first poetry collection a year before starting my degree and I never knew how well it would do. By the middle of my first year, my collection, Good Morning to Goodnight, had reached number three on Amazon’s best-seller list and I had been tagged in a photo of my book with the caption, ‘the book that saved my life’. That was the clicking moment when I realised how many people I was actually helping.

Alumni profile - Dr MJ Rowland-Warmann
7 December 2020

I’m an idealist. I always wanted to build a remarkable practice where patients are cared for to an extremely high standard. I also wanted to create a place where clinicians would feel excited about their work. Seven years on we’ve certainly achieved those aims.

Supporting our students through the COVID-19 pandemic
7 December 2020

Amidst a second national lockdown in the UK, Queen Mary’s Development and Alumni Engagement Team launched the Queen Mary Emergency COVID-19 Fund, to ensure that regardless of what is going on around them, students have the support that they need to not only continue their studies but to thrive. 

End of year message from Queen Mary's President and Principal to all alumni
4 December 2020

Alumni profile - John Plas
4 December 2020

During my final year on my Periodontology Programme, there was an opportunity to be featured on Channel 4 National Television as part of their “Be your Own Doctor” Show. This episode of the show was about self-assessment of oral hygiene, self improvement in brushing and periodontal treatment planning. This episode was filmed at the Ground Level Clinic of Bart’s Dental Institute!

Student Story: Shabiha Islam
2 December 2020

Shabiha is a Law student studying at Queen Mary University of London. She is the eldest of three siblings and the first in her family to go to university.

Shabiha Islam, Queen Mary University of London Annual Fund Scholarship

Alumni profile - Gemma Esvelt
1 December 2020

I had always dreamed of living in the UK, so I thought it was time to do something new and chase my dreams.I was looking for a degree which combined both theory and practical learning. I was really drawn to the work experience side of this degree with internships offered in different departments at Historic Royal Palaces.

Alumni profile - Emily Rose Yates
30 November 2020

I love anything that’s quite investigative and explorative, and I’m lucky that anything to do with travel and accessibility, or current disability issues, is often exactly that. Wherever possible, I use my lived experience as a wheelchair user to add an authentic viewpoint to whatever I’m writing on.

Alumni profile - Zara Stone
24 November 2020

On any given day, I might be traveling to Silicon Valley to interview a humanoid A.I. robot, typing furiously on my laptop, testing out the latest virtual reality headset, or taste testing a $900 bite of lab-grown meat. My work is a mixture of interviewing, researching, writing and rewriting, with product testing, world travel, and drones thrown in. 

Alumni profile - Shamima Akter (Part Two)
23 November 2020

“Shamima completed part one of her alumni profile as part of our Welcome Week 2020 campaign in which she touched upon her time and studies at Queen Mary and her current role as President of the Students’ Union. Read part one of Shamima’s profile.

Part two of Shamima’s alumni profile is dedicated to Islamophobia Awareness Month and Shamima’s identity as a Muslim woman.”

Student profile - Sara Omar
20 November 2020

As part of our Islamophobia Awareness Month campaign, we interviewed Sara Omar, Co-Founder and Co-Editor-in-Chief of Diaspora Speaks.

Alumni profile - Charles Knowles
20 November 2020

The hat I have worn the longest is being a surgeon, followed by my research hat... The other hats I now wear are as a semi-professional musician. I have also been recruited as the lead for colorectal at the new Cleveland Clinic London which will be opening next year behind Buckingham Palace.

Student Story: Jannat-Ul-Ferdous Chomon
19 November 2020

Jannat is a History student at Queen Mary University of London and a recipient of the Sally Sainsbury History Scholarship. This award is supported by the late Ms Sally Sainsbury, BA History 1962, who kindly left the University a gift in her Will to support History students. Jannat told us what this award means to her. 

Student Story: Omar Hassan Abdi
18 November 2020

Omar is a final-year BSc Computer Science student. He’s from Stratford, east London and is the first in his family to go to university. Omar comes from a single-parent household which is why he was hoping to attend a Russell Group university in London to further his prospects in life. When he found out he’d successfully secured a place to study at Queen Mary he was thrilled to begin his course.

Alumni profile - Nathan Benitez
18 November 2020

I actually launched afoodible at Queen Mary during Freshers’ Fair and one of the reasons for this was the Green Mary campaign here and also the fact that it was during my first year of university and on campus that I was really struck with a vision for the direction I wanted afoodible to take... Afoodible allow users to better manage their food diary, to waste less food and to save more money.

Alumni profile - Alissa Timoshkina
17 November 2020

The knowledge that I gained at Queen Mary is at the heart of what I do, even if it takes on so many different guises, from a PhD in Soviet Holocaust cinema to a podcast about motherhood and food. 

Student profile - Sawdah Bhaimiya
16 November 2020

As part of our Islamophobia Awareness Month campaign, we interviewed Sawdah Bhaimiya, Co-Founder and Co-Editor-in-Chief of Diaspora Speaks.

Alumni profile - Jamie Crummie
13 November 2020

Too Good to Go was a very lean operation when we first started; we were bootstrapping and cutting costs at any opportunity but from the off we went all in, it was a full time career and we had the luxury of being able to support ourselves through very modest means. For example, my co-founder and I shared a bedroom in the early days!

Alumni profile - Moneeka Thakur
11 November 2020

I feel like even in the discussion of diversity and inclusion, Muslim representation tends to be on the outskirts, which is a problem. What do you do when you’re on the periphery of the periphery? By engaging with texts from the Muslim community, Muslim writers are able to take control of their own narrative which readers are then able to explore.

Student Story: Abukar Awes
11 November 2020

Abukar is an MSci Mathematical Sciences student. He is from the neighbouring borough Newham and is a keen board-games enthusiast. Abukar tells us how an alumni-funded bursary has improved his university experience.

Abukar Awes, Queen Mary and Westfield Alumni Bursary

Alumni profile - Louis Gondy
10 November 2020

Every single environmental challenge in the world has repercussions and implications amongst all disciplines you can think of: politics, law, economics, engineering, biology, physics, etc. Being an Environmental scientist means that you ought to be a mediator amongst all those stakeholders while facing the most difficult world challenges known to mankind. 

Alumni profile - Sheroy Zaq
9 November 2020

My work has the possibility to alter the life of someone who is far less fortunate than I am, to such an extent that it may well result in ensuring that they are not sent back to their persecutor. In my view, the notion of fulfilling a humanitarian purpose through my career is what excites me.

Alumni profile - Dr Imran Farooq
6 November 2020

When I left Barts I had no research publications, but after nine years, I have published more than sixty research papers (with 30+ total impact factor) and book chapters that have acquired over six hundred citations... I was also the recipient of the IAU, College of Dentistry’s competitive “Best Researcher Award” in 2017.

Alumni profile - Hristian Markov
3 November 2020

We started discussing how most of the people at university were getting vacation schemes in large part because they had a friend who had already done one and gave them all the dos and don’ts. We thought that was rather unfair and started thinking about how we could level out the playing field. That's how we ended up creating Congrapps - the portal where you can access the successful applications and cover letters of the people who made it to your dream job! 

Student Futures: BBC Step Into Tech course
3 November 2020

"Back in September 2019 I received the good news of being selected for the BBC Step Into Tech course. Fast forward to June 2020, I have successfully completed the course thanks to the Annual Fund! Support from alumni financed this opportunity, which meant that I could complete this course with ease and without worry."

Mehnaz Ahmed, BSc Mathematics with Actuarial Science

Alumni profile - Zahra Arjomand Nia
1 November 2020

On my Instagram (@zniazniaznia) and my TikTok (ZahraScience), I’m passionate about producing “Clever Content” - content that will basically leave you a little smarter and more knowledgeable about our world... I make content on the science behind relatable topics in life such as dating, beauty and lots more. I really want others to see science as fun and relatable and not just a subject at school that you need to pass.

Alumni profile - Chipo Meke
29 October 2020

I learnt a lot about Los Angeles during the Urban Futures: Los Angeles and Las Vegas module. It was truly eye-opening understanding the history of blue vs white collar workers and also issues such as environmental racism – I had never heard of this before. This was very far removed from the glitz and glamour I had imagined in LA and it became a reality as our lecturer walked us through Skid Row.

Queen Mary alumni recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2020
29 October 2020

We are absolutely delighted to announce that eleven Queen Mary alumni were recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list earlier this month. The honours recognise the outstanding achievements of people across the United Kingdom and out of the 1,495 individuals recognised, our alumni shine bright.

Alumni profile - Mercy Muroki
27 October 2020

In my role as Commissioner, I hope to be able to contribute to moving the dial on how we understand and tackle ethnic disparities. I believe Britain is the best place for people from ethnic minority groups, but I also believe we still have a lot of work to do until we tackle some of the unjustified socioeconomic disparities that still exist in society.

Alumni profile - Deanna Lyncook
22 October 2020

In the wake of the global resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, I felt that it was important for my community to see themselves as more than just the victims of racism within society. I felt like I could uplift and educate with my podcast and that’s exactly what I set out to do.

Alumni profile - Courtney Wynter
22 October 2020

I wish there was more emphasis on the importance of people from the Caribbean during the World Wars, as well as their experience in the UK following their migration during the Windrush era. While it’s important for students to learn about the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S., it’s also essential for them to be aware of the Civil Rights Movement here in the UK and events such as the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963.

Alumni profile - Efe Uwadiae
22 October 2020

I would like people to know more about Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who was the first black British actress to be nominated for an Academy Award. Bearing in mind the Oscars have been around for nearly one hundred years, the first Black British woman wasn’t nominated until 24 years ago, and that’s a very important disparity. This is because British people often conflate African-American and Black-British struggles, however when it comes to the arts we have to note the significant disparities between the two groups’ successes. 

Student Futures: Barts and The London 'Open Up' Project
20 October 2020

The Annual Fund helped Sathyam Sharma, a third-year Dentistry student, carry out his project 'Open Up’' He told us about his project and how the generosity of alumni donations has made a difference to his university experience. 

Alumni Profile - Ololade Adesanya
20 October 2020

For me, intersectionality is about inclusion. It is how different aspects of diversity interplay to disadvantage or to advantage a person (advantage a person because we often forget that white is an ethnicity and male is a gender so we shouldn't be excluding them from conversations around inclusion). According to the theory, often times, people are not disadvantaged just because they fall within a specific diversity bucket but due to a combination of factors.

Read Ololade's original profile from June 2020.

Alumni profile - Aditi Vaidya
16 October 2020

We took a glance at the breath-taking view from the top [of Mt Everest] and we were filled with complete awe... As we returned to India, we came across the fact that we are the second sisters in the world to reach the summit which made our parents and everyone around us even prouder and happier.

Alumni profile - Ama Badu
13 October 2020

I love to ask people when they first saw themselves in books. For many of us, it isn’t until university that we really see ourselves in literature in the curriculum... This is why I’m in children’s publishing, because even if only one child picks up a book I have championed, and sees themselves, their family and their community reflected in those pages, that is everything.

Alumni profile - Jasneet Taak
9 October 2020

Accelerate is a student-led outreach STEM initiative, primarily focusing on educating BAME students (although not limited to this demographic) who are pursuing STEM based degrees and related career paths. Our educational platform encompasses useful tips and advice, updating students on career opportunities and mentoring the leaders of tomorrow.

Alumni profile - Gavin Lewis
7 October 2020

I am now privileged – I wasn’t born with it, I earned it – but it doesn’t matter how you get it, if you have it, it’s my belief that it’s your responsibility to use it to lift up others ... For every challenging period where you’re having to work evenings and weekends and giving up family time, out of the blue you might just get an email that says “you made a difference to me” and “thank you” which makes it worthwhile.

Student Story: Roshan Patel
6 October 2020

“Hi, I’m Roshan Patel and I’m a dentistry student at Barts and The London. Both of my parents work for the NHS which inspired me to study Dentistry! I was awarded the Scholarship for Excellence last year funded by our kind alumni of the university.”

Alumni profile - Dr Harry Hothi
5 October 2020

I’m now the Implant Science Fellow at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) where I lead the engineering research into understanding why knee, hip and spine implants fail. I’m also the Engineering Director of the London Implant Retrieval Centre (LIRC) which continues to have a particular focus on metal hip replacements. Outside of this, I’m also one of the co-founders of DiscoverPhDs!

Alumni profile - Kayode Adegbola
2 October 2020

I spent a couple of years practicing at my family legacy law firm, and then joined the public sector – I was the second employee at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, a $70m job creation fund established by the Lagos State Government... I also made an attempt at elective politics in 2018, and I might try again in the future.

Alumni profile - Mat Robathan
30 September 2020

We caught up with alumnus and newly elected Students' Union VP Barts and The London, Mat Robathan (Global Public Health BSc, 2019): "I will spend my year in office fighting for, defending and modernising the BL identity... Part of this will involve increasing representation within our curricula, practices and staff so everyone feels represented and welcome within Barts and The London."

Alumni profile - Neil Shah
29 September 2020

I’m most proud of contributing to the development of people I have worked with and seeing them succeed, the brands I have been part of growing, and the deep connections I’ve been able to make all over the world as a result of working at a multinational company like Diageo. 

Alumni profile - Abdullah Alharoun
28 September 2020

I realised that going back home and giving back to my community by applying my multidisciplinary education and international exposure, would be the more meaningful career choice. At that time in Kuwait a new slate of legislative reforms were taking place including the laws regulating competition, securities, direct investment as well as new companies’ law. 

Alumni profile - Claire Meadows
25 September 2020

My career path began quite logically but has taken a few plot twists in recent years!... After over twenty-seven years in teaching, the time came to take a career break, so I fulfilled a lifelong ambition and became a full-time martial arts instructor.

Alumni profile - Bilal Khan
24 September 2020

Studying politics at Queen Mary gave me the opportunity to further research and understand how politics influences economic decision-making, and further piqued my career interests of becoming a political figure.

Student Story: Amelia Elamradi
23 September 2020

Amelia is a BSc Biology Student at Queen Mary University of London and she is the first in her family to go to university. Amelia is a recipient of the Annual Fund Scholarship and she told us how alumni support made a difference to her university experience.

Amelia Elamradi, Queen Mary Annual Fund Scholarship 2019-2022

Alumni profile - Gabriel Krauze
21 September 2020

Booker Prize long-listed author and English alumnus, Gabriel Krauze, discusses the themes of morality, beauty and trauma in his debut novel, Who They Was, the challenges of being labelled a “gangster” in the media, and how his passion for literature made him realise he needed to do something constructive with his life.

#TogethernessThursdays blog post - Pareemala Mauree
20 September 2020

Today's #TogethernessThursdays blog post features alumna Pareemala Mauree (Comparative and International Dispute Resolution LLM, 2019) and her plight to raise awareness of how the Covid-19 pandemic and recent ecological disasters are threatening her home country of Mauritius. 

Alumni profile - Paul Clements
19 September 2020

To be in the newsroom at the time an era-defining story breaks is exhilarating; I was there for the credit crunch, the expenses scandal... I was even thinking about putting my coat on and going home for the night when, in January, Harry and Meghan announced they were quitting the royal family (we pretty much tore up the next day's newspaper on the spot). 

Alumni profile - Shamima Akter (Part One)
15 September 2020

As part of Welcome Week 2020, we caught up with alumna and newly elected President of the Students' Union, Shamima Akter (Computer Science and Multimedia BSc, 2020): "One of my main aims this year is to be able to lead the union through a global pandemic. I think surviving this year and making sure we stay true to our values and who we are as an organisation is a massive priority."

Alumni profile - Konstantinos Bozas
15 September 2020

I have now been working at Amazon for eight months... I am helping sellers actively find deficiencies in their products and then helping them to re-advertise their products in our marketplace... employees of Amazon are constantly encouraged to explore different opportunities within the company. Seeing as Amazon is so big, there is the option to move between different departments and job roles.

Alumni profile - Cameron Storey
14 September 2020

As part of Welcome Week 2020, we caught up with alumnus and newly elected Students' Union VP Humanities & Social Sciences, Cameron Storey (Economics and Politics BSc, 2020): "I think what I really hope to achieve this year is to really make the most of the fact that my role is entirely new. I have the opportunity to determine how the role will look for years to come and I really hope I can set the bar for the role going forward."

Alumni profile - Tiana Dinard-Samuel
14 September 2020

As part of Welcome Week 2020, we caught up with alumna and newly elected Students' Union VP Communities, Tiana Dinard-Samuel (Film Studies and Hispanic Studies BA, 2020): "In this role I get to look out for the welfare of all of our communities and liberation groups such as BAME students, LGBT+ students, women students and international students and I’m so glad we have a role now dedicated to supporting them."

Alumni profile - Julian Robinson
12 September 2020

Most of the newer buildings on campus were completed whilst I was here either as Project Manager or Project Director... My first project was the Student Residences by the canal and the last thing was the big Student Village and the Medical College in Whitechapel. I am very proud of most of the projects I was involved with. The buildings I commissioned and oversaw were really quite significant and they won awards, thus lifting the whole kudos of Queen Mary.

#TogethernessThursdays blog post - Isabel Biggs
10 September 2020

Alumna Isabel Biggs (English BA, 2019) created the blog post ‘The Post-It Plot: Micro-Journaling During Lockdown’, to help those suffering with mental ill health during lockdown. Isabel has kindly consented to us sharing her blog post in full.

Student Story: Aisha Sesay
8 September 2020

Aisha is a BEng Chemical Engineering student at Queen Mary. She is the eldest of three siblings and first in her family to go to university. 

Aisha Sesay, Annual Fund Bursary recipient 2019-2022

Alumni profile - Dr Raja Awais Ali
4 September 2020

My story is being rejected twice and then doing another degree and then finally getting in to study Dentistry. However, I then had to raise £36,000 to make my dream a reality... my story is testimony to anyone who has a vision or a goal – you can achieve it, you just have to put your mind to it and put yourself out there.

Alumni profile - Lucy Sofroniou
1 September 2020

I started Queen Mary at such a pivotal moment in my life and it has become a place of so many great memories for me. It was such a positive experience, both academically and personally - I'll always look back on those three years so fondly.

Alumni profile - Dr Daminda Attanayake
28 August 2020

I have been the Team Physician to National Hockey and Netball teams and the Contingent Doctor for the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Australia. I am currently working as the Chief Medical Officer to the Sri Lanka Cricket team and as the medical representative to the International Cricket Council from Sri Lanka.

Alumni profile - Bekeme Masade-Olowola
25 August 2020

My work has put me in board and other leadership positions, including becoming the first West African on the board of the leading sustainability standard-setter, the Global Reporting Initiative, Amsterdam, and the Nigerian version of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the Business Coalition for Sustainable Development Nigeria.

Student Story: Weronika Martyna
25 August 2020

"My name is Weronika and I’m a second-year Dentistry student at Barts and The London. I’m so pleased to be awarded the Scholarship for Excellence this year funded by our generous alumni. Thank you for your support!"

Alumni profile - Um-E-Aymen Babar
21 August 2020

In regards to the fundraising campaign Um-E-Aymen Babar launched to financially support her MPhil at Cambridge: I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated and shared the link. Money should never be a barrier to education and this campaign has made me want to help other young people in a similar situation.

Alumni profile - Prajith Rakunathan
19 August 2020

I remember when I was younger saying to my friends whilst playing several hours of Fifa and Halo on my Xbox that it would be so cool to work for the likes of a Microsoft. I look back now and that still hasn’t changed, technology is so engrained in our lives and being involved in a company that is on the bleeding edge keeps me on my toes. 

Alumni profile - Nizam Kabir
14 August 2020

I work for one of the UK’s largest Health and Safety Distributors, Arco. I manage a team of 8 planners, responsible for maintaining the supply of health and safety products sourced from all over the world... working in supply chain is a constant battle for equilibrium. 

Alumni profile - Bryna Teli
11 August 2020

“I was looking for a course that would help me explore global markets and development of international business and was particularly interested in the world economy and the dynamics of development. I figured understanding this would go a long way in building my foundation of working abroad.” 

Student Story: Uswah Naseem
11 August 2020

Uswah is a BA Law and Politics student. She accepted a place to study at Queen Mary after obtaining A*, A* and B in her A-Levels (Politics, English Literature and Geography). Uswah is the eldest of three siblings and is the first in her family to go to university. 

Uswah Naseem, Annual Fund Scholarship recipient 2019-2022

Clearing alumni profile - Sonia Goodman
10 August 2020

I got my insurance university choice, but was adamant that I wanted to study in London. I was delighted to see that Queen Mary University of London was in the Clearing and Adjustment list... Dr Kirsteen Anderson invited me to the University for a friendly and informative conversation about the course. As I walked around the University, I immediately knew it was the right environment for me... my experience was truly unforgettable!

Alumni profile - Nabil Al-Kinani
9 August 2020

Just because you studied something, it doesn’t mean you have to conform to the limits of your degree. I studied biomedical sciences and I work in construction and property, and one of my biggest projects delivered is in literature (Authors of the Estate: Chalkhill Edition). Don’t limit yourself.

Alumni profile - Bismeh Shafi
5 August 2020

“The MA from Queen Mary has allowed me to segue into my field of interest. I am currently working at The Citizens Foundation (TCF), a Pakistan-based NGO that provides education to more than 250,000 under-privileged children across Pakistan.”

Student Story: Kin Liu
28 July 2020

"I’m Kin Liu, a Medical student at Barts and The London. I’m the eldest of 3 siblings and the first in my family to go to University."

Kin Chang Liu, Annual Fund Scholarship for Excellence recipient 2019-20

Alumni profile - Rosie Vincent
27 July 2020

"I love the balance that I have from my two jobs. Sometimes I will be sat at a desk and managing many tasks in the morning but then in the evening I will be jumping around as an animal and helping young people to have fun.”

Alumni profile - Yashvardhan Rana
23 July 2020

I have, and shall always maintain unconditionally, that my year as an LLM student at Queen Mary was easily one of the best years of my life. It gave me a lot more than just a degree. [...] Intellectually, it consistently challenged me to simultaneously learn and unlearn - amplifying my personal growth and helping me develop a broader view and perception of which I would previously not have considered myself capable.

Alumni profile - Oliver Davis
21 July 2020

While I was still doing my masters, I got my job as the Regional Organiser here in Tower Hamlets. It was very much the contacts, the networks and the exposure that I gained through my degree that was all part of one direct line to where I am now. 

Alumni profile - Lovena Kureemun
19 July 2020

Coming from an island in the Indian Ocean which is remote to many places around the world has made me become an explorer by nature. I always like to discover new things and new methods of doing things differently. The course at Queen Mary not only satisfied my passion for science and engineering but also my desire to explore new cultures as students all around the world enrol on this specific course. 

Alumni profile - Anterleen Singh
15 July 2020

Studying at Queen Mary really helped me develop and build my network with various people from different backgrounds. As well as deepening my knowledge of finance, it helped me to gain international exposure and interact with people belonging to different cultures, which really changed my perspective on life.

Alumni profile - Marissa Landy
14 July 2020

Being an actor is the most thrilling job imaginable. The fact that I get to travel around the world whilst always doing new projects is luxurious. It is a very tough and competitive environment but the moment you get into that rehearsal room or on stage, it all becomes worth it.

Student Story: Aisha Sohail
14 July 2020

Aisha is a BSc Computer Science and Management student. She accepted a place to study at Queen Mary University of London after obtaining 3As in her A Levels (Sociology, Politics and English Literature). Aisha is from the London Borough of Newham As the eldest of three siblings, she is the first in her family to go to university.

Aisha Sohail, Queen Mary Annual Fund Scholarship recipient 2019-2022

Alumni profile - Dinara Punchihewa
13 July 2020

Inspired by the lives of the women and men around me, I began the ‘Punchi Actors’ initiative; a non-profit organisation that not only shares my passion with children who love acting, but also gives these children from different financial and social backgrounds the opportunity to build on, and follow their dreams.

Alumni profile - Aniththa Ragunathan
8 July 2020

Amazon is full of opportunity - it is a great place to work and to learn something new every day. I have always used Amazon to purchase products but I never knew how it felt to actually be part of Amazon. After joining Amazon, I realised that there is a much bigger picture that shaped the way Amazon is now. From FC associates working hard to make customers happy to us recruiting great talents to work for Amazon - we are all working as part of a team and I love it.

Alumni profile - Roberta Rhyse
7 July 2020

Roberta Rhyse Kirosingh graduated from Queen Mary in 2019 with a bachelors degree in Politics and International Relations. She is the founder of The Simple Press and works as an Executive Westminster Manager for a Member of Parliament, as well as a Policy Researcher.

Alumni profile - Mya Medina
5 July 2020

After graduating, I tried a couple of different career paths, both in PR and journalism, but even then, I was tutoring after work or on weekends because I loved it so much. When I met Alex, Tutor House’s CEO and Founder, I was astounded by his commitment to making tutoring accessible to everyone (regardless of their financial situation).

Alumni profile - Hassan Shaigan
4 July 2020

The Professors of Arbitration at Queen Mary are globally well-known. Anyone who not only excels in his/her field but who is also brilliant at teaching and spreading knowledge is the perfect person to study from and Queen Mary had many of these said faculty members.

Alumni profile - Edmond Ng
1 July 2020

There is absolutely no justification to discriminate, verbally abuse or physically assault anyone due to their race, ethnic origin, or on any ground. Chinese and East Asians are as likely to be infected by Covid-19 as anyone else in the world. Racism spreads like a virus... Virus does not respect any border, religion, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity. I call on all communities to unite to spread our compassion and empathy rather than hate and division to defeat Covid-19.

Alumni profile - Olga Kravchenko
30 June 2020

Olga Kravchenko graduated with a degree in Drama from Queen Mary in 2016. She is now CEO of Musemio, a virtual reality app that connects children with content from museums around the world and seeks to turn them into museumgoers of the future.

Donor Story: Michael Bridson
30 June 2020

Michael Bridson is a Queen Mary alumnus. He studied BA History and graduated in 1956. He is now a retired Personnel manager living in Surrey. He told us about his time at Queen Mary and why he chose to support the Annual Fund. 

Alumni profile - Arzaam Bhatti
28 June 2020

Home for me is Pakistan. However, the excellent alumni network, as well as the Queen Mary faculty, always makes their presence felt in every part of the world and I never feel far away from the institute. Once a Queen Mary alumnus always a Queen Mary alumnus!

Student Pride profile - Gemma Stokes
25 June 2020

Identifying as a queer, cisgender woman, Pride is essential to me in many ways. In my mind, Pride is more than just the annual march (although the parade is incredibly uplifting). I look to incorporate Pride into every aspect of my life and identity, in order to be more unashamedly myself and maybe even inspire others along the way.

Alumni profile - Lewis Corner
23 June 2020

Pride to me means having the freedom to live as your true self. Too many people are forced to conceal parts of their identity for fear of rejection or discrimination. We need to cultivate a society that embraces different identities from a young age, allowing people to grow up with confidence, security and an acceptance that difference is beautiful. 

Alumni profile - Vicky Norton
22 June 2020

The key selling point for me was the modular system Queen Mary offered. That was quite rare back then, and it enabled me to take linguistics classes and also marketing classes. I loved learning more about the theory of language, and am very proud of that ‘with Linguistics’ in my degree!

Alumni profile - Jade Tolley
21 June 2020

I get to work with a wide range of brilliant, hugely successful authors. I've had the privilege of working on Elton John’s autobiography, which has definitely been a career highlight... In ten years' time I’d definitely like to see myself in a senior role within publishing, with lots more experiences to draw from, and even more brilliant books to work on!

Alumni Pride Profile - Lewis Thomas
16 June 2020

To me, Pride means unapologetic authenticity and visibility. The LGBTQ+ community is actually quite an elusive concept to describe as it encompasses so many different people with so many different experiences. But at its core, for me, the LGBTQ+ community represent unity in the face of adversity.

Alumni profile - Dr Mir Yasir Umair
12 June 2020

My wife and I were looking for a Masters opportunity to pursue together and we both felt that Queen Mary was the right place to continue onto postgraduate study... we had to adapt to studying in an alien place which was memorable in all aspects.

Student pride profile - Hannah Cragg
8 June 2020

To me, Pride is all about activism and celebrating who we are. It's really important, both as a historian but just as a member of the LGBT community as well, that the first Pride was a riot. We owe the rights we enjoy today thanks to trans women of colour. So amongst all the music and the rainbows and the parades, it's important to celebrate where we came from.

Alumni profile - Angela Inwood
7 June 2020

I studied my degree as a mature student, so began with some trepidation... However, I soon bonded with the small English & History cohort, the majority of whom were also mature students and I really appreciated that we were supportive of each other. That said the young students were also great to be with, providing me with a different viewpoint. 

Student Story: Dominic Morey
2 June 2020

Dominic is a 4th-year student studying Medicine at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. He holds a First Class Honours in BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and was awarded a Distinction in MSc Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology.

Dominic Morey, Medicine, Annual Fund Hardship Bursary recipient 2019-20

Alumni profile - Raveesha Gupta
30 May 2020

Studying and living in a different country was a life changing experience. It teaches you to get along with people from different backgrounds and gives you a much broader perspective in life...  I love how culturally diverse Queen Mary is, I made friends from all around the world.

Alumni profile - Dr Rizwan Ullah
27 May 2020

My time and study at Barts improved me not only from a scholarly point of view, but also helped me to utilise my experiences for the betterment of my students both here in Pakistan and abroad... I  found Barts' facilities, student support and London’s diverse cultural environment made adjusting as an international student very easy.

Alumni profile - Dr Ernest Odhiambo
25 May 2020

The pandemic has also spurred innovation in me. As I write this, I am in the middle of preparing for a presentation of a Ventilator which we have designed and made from scratch using local materials together with a team of 7 colleagues from the departments of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the University of Nairobi.

#TogethernessThursdays: Westfield College
23 May 2020

Queen Mary University of London merged with Westfield College in 1989. Westfield College, like Queen Mary, was founded to provide higher education for a community with less educational opportunities: women.

Alumni profile - Kia Abdullah
22 May 2020

After university, I worked in tech for three years, but my first love won out eventually. I took a 50% pay cut to take a writing role at Asian Woman magazine... since then I've started my own website, Atlas & Boots, and written for publications like The New York Times, The Guardian and The Telegraph, and published a novel with HarperCollins with the next one out in 2020. It’s certainly been an interesting journey!

Student Story: Caroline Olabisi
17 May 2020

Caroline is a medical student at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. She is the first in her family to study medicine. Caroline was awarded the Annual Fund Hardship Bursary thanks to the generosity of our alumni, to support her in her final year of study. 

Caroline Olabisi, Annual Fund Hardship Bursary recipient 2019-20

Alumni profile - Ray Canham
15 May 2020

To a large degree, Queen Mary chose me. At the time (1961) admission to university degree programs was far from automatic; only 5% of high school graduates went on to study at universities. When the academic year began, I was delighted to find that the class size was small—14 students; seven male and seven female—all of whom were very compatible despite differences in age and experience.

Alumni profile - Sabrine Shaw
13 May 2020

With my love for all things media paired with my passion for story-telling and interviewing, I decided to create my own podcast - Shaw Me Your Way. Having grown up in Dubai and continued my education in London, I knew I could create a diverse platform of people who are happy to share their journeys into their businesses, artistry, careers and more.

Alumni profile - Neha Patel
12 May 2020

I am the co-founder of Your999 Limited, an app/platform launched in 2015 for the general public to use in all sorts of emergencies. For example, in response to the global fight against coronavirus, we have put together a resource that people around the world can use to find the most up to date information.

Alumni profile - Shivani Reddy
10 May 2020

At Fairtrade, I worked on a wide range of issues (fairer prices for banana farmers; public-private partnerships; gender equality in agricultural supply chains; Sustainable Development Goals; modern slavery; post-Brexit trade policy…). After almost four years, I decided that I wanted to see if I could make an impact on people’s lives from inside a large company so I moved to Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP).

A special message from Queen Mary's President and Principal to our alumni
7 May 2020

Professor Colin Bailey CBE, President and Principal of Queen Mary University of London, addresses our global alumni community about the University's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch Colin's video to alumni . 

#TogethernessThursdays: WW2
6 May 2020

This #TogethernessThursday we thought we’d remind you of how the University community has worked together in the past and continued to function even in extraordinary circumstances.

Student Story: Jesse Grainger
6 May 2020

Jesse Grainger is completing a Joint Honours programme in BA Hispanic Studies and Politics at Queen Mary University of London. He lives in Tower Hamlets and is the first in his family to go to university. He told us how support from our kind alumni made a difference to his studies. 

Jesse Grainger, Annual Fund Scholarship recipient 2019

Class of 2020 - Welcome to our Global Alumni Community!
2 May 2020

Did you know that your Queen Mary journey doesn’t end when you graduate? We, the Alumni Engagement Team, are here to help you maintain a lifelong connection to your University and to each other. Once you graduate, you automatically become part of our global network of almost 180,000 alumni based in over 160 countries around the world.

Alumni profile - Dr Nilesh R. Parmar
30 April 2020

Dr Nilesh R. Parmar is one of a few dentists in the UK to have a degree from all three London Dental Schools: "about 80% of my work is implant dentistry. One thing I love about implants is if you lose your front tooth, I can replace it in such a way that nobody would ever know it isn’t real, even if they get really close to you."

Alumni profile - Corinna Bordoli
25 April 2020

As CEO of your own company you learn every day. This is certainly the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur... Another rewarding aspect is that of building long lasting and like-minded connections and partnerships. I see creativity as a social phenomenon where other people's ideas, especially when different, enrich you and help you create. 

#TogethernessThursdays: The People's Palace
21 April 2020

The history of Queen Mary University of London and the legacy of its predecessor institutions contain many examples of communities coming together to support each other. Queen Mary's Archives team shines a light on one such example: The People's Palace.

Alumni profile - Emma Hedington
17 April 2020

I hadn’t necessarily considered the publishing industry as a career path whilst at university, and I wasn’t particularly aware of academic publishing, but I’ve been in this industry ever since... I’ve worked my way up at various companies... I’m pretty sure all my friends are bored of me talking about working with NASA now!

Student Story: Sadad Mahir
8 April 2020

Sadad is a BSc Accounting and Management student. He accepted a place to study at Queen Mary after obtaining A, A and B in his A Levels (Economics, History and, Government and Politics). Sadad is a former care leaver and lives in Newham.

Sadad Mahir, Annual Fund Scholarship recipient 2019

Alumni profile - Zsófi Szemerédy
6 April 2020

I didn’t speak English particularly well when I came here... Queen Mary has given me the language skills and the courage to be confident in my everyday working life... My undergraduate studies were all about building foundations, pretty solid ones at that, to move forward and be able to follow my dreams. My degree truly opened up the world.

Alumni profile - Raymond Poon
2 April 2020

During my first year of University, I attended the University of London Officers’ Training Corps (ULOTC) and underwent military training. I got to see HMS Bulwark and a Royal Marine Landing Craft, which gave me an appreciation of the type of work engineers do to aid the UK’s naval warfare force. I never expected to end up in the defence industry, but I guess my experience in the ULOTC gave me the kick for it.

Alumni profile - Fizza Ali
26 March 2020

I am currently working as a corporate legal trainee lawyer for commercial and transactional practice in one of the biggest and renowned law firms in Pakistan. In the nearby future, I look forward to playing an active role in enhancing the quality and standard of legal practice in Pakistan!

The Sami Sidhom Award
25 March 2020

Sami Sidhom was a BA (Hons) History student at Queen Mary University of London and aspired to become a lawyer after completing his education. He was only in his first year, when he tragically passed away, at the age of 18.

Alumni profile - Marrisa Joseph
20 March 2020

When my work was commissioned by Palgrave Macmillan it was a touching moment. Much of my research is framed around understanding what the Macmillan brothers did back in the nineteenth century. Now I have become a Macmillan author, I feel like I have joined an illustrious club!

Alumni profile - Diana Akanho
9 March 2020

I am a Committee Member for Women in Data UK. The vision of the organisation is to create gender parity within STEM subjects through presentations and talks. We like to talk about how ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ and to make women realise that there are women working in certain roles and careers that they may have thought were previously off limit to them. I will always act as an advocate for gender parity where possible so as to make a pathway for women in certain careers. 

Alumni profile - Dr Hannah Thompson
6 March 2020

Being named on BioBeat’s annual 50 Movers and Shakers in BioBusiness report, a report which highlights the trailblazers and trendsetters shaping the future of the UK life sciences sector, was such a lovely achievement which recognised my role in working with patients and oncologists to help develop CCG.ai’s artificial intelligence platform for treatment monitoring of cancer... As for my future career, I look forward to a wide range of opportunities with the healthcare, environment and people sectors, helping to grow businesses and make a difference to the world.

Alumni profile - Jaspreet Kaur, aka Behind the Netra
2 March 2020

Since 2015, I have been performing my spoken word on stages across the UK, aiming to tackle issues related to gender discrimination, mental health stigma, the postcolonial immigrant experience, taboo issues within the South Asian community and much more. I have met lots of inspirational women from a range of different industries and backgrounds. This network of inspirational women is continuing to grow and we all support and guide one another.

Alumni profile - Julie Fleck
27 February 2020

The work that I did to make London 2012 ‘the most accessible Olympic and Paralympic Games ever’ has definitely been the highlight of my career. The policies and planning guidance I had written for the London Plan were applied to the planning proposals for the Olympic venues and parkland so that all the designers were obliged to consider the needs of disabled people from the very beginning of the design process.

Alumni profile - Dr Pedram Kordrostami
23 February 2020

I am currently working as a junior doctor in one of London’s hospitals. I am also the founder of AfterDrink which is a supplement designed to support alcohol-related health and co-founder of a canned water company promoting a sustainable alternative to plastic bottles. I spend the time I have off from work growing these businesses with support from friends and family.

Alumni profile - Dr Milad Shadrooh, aka The Singing Dentist
19 February 2020

My nurse got in touch with our local press and they came and did a piece on me, which then triggered The Metro, BBC news and ITV London news to feature me...Two weeks later Good Morning Britain asked me to cover a dental story...I’ve now done This Morning like 3 or 4 times, Good Morning Britain 3 times and Sky News.

Alumni profile - Shamim Ara Chowdhury
17 February 2020

For the past four and a half years I’ve been living in Istanbul and working as a foreign correspondent for the Turkish English-language news channel, TRT World. During this time I have reported from all over Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Some of the stories I’ve covered include the 2017 Rohingya refugee crisis from inside the camps in southern Bangladesh; the Syrian war, both from inside Syria and from the Turkish border; the fight against ISIS in Iraq; the rise of communal violence in Sri Lanka; Donald Trump’s first tour of Asia; the French yellow-vest protests, (when I got tear-gassed on the Champs Elysees!); The 2019 Spanish elections; the siege of Marawi by ISIS in the Philippines and much, much more.

Qupid Love Story - Matt & Gulnoor Jones
14 February 2020

In their own words, married alumnus and alumna Matt and Gulnoor Jones narrate their love story, telling their audience how they have "essentially grown up together" and "moulded into separate complementary halves of a whole."

Qupid Love Story - Joy Hall & Barry Hall
12 February 2020

In their own words, alumna Joy Hall and alumnus Barry Hall narrate their love story, telling their audience how "over thirty years after we first met we were married with our three daughters as bridesmaids. Next year we will celebrate our silver wedding anniversary."

Alumni profile - Karen Chilver
10 February 2020

I would encourage current and future graduates to consider nursing as a career. It’s seen as low status and poorly paid, but we really need well-educated, compassionate nurses who can make a real difference. My life would be much poorer without nursing. People say “how can you do that, it must be so depressing”, but it’s the opposite. It has given me so much.

Alumni profile - Marcus Chown
10 February 2020

I have stroked bats (they purred) behind the scenes on channel 4’s Sunday Brunch. I have given a talk in a glass-bottomed boat in a shark tank at Brighton sea life centre. I have been on a train through the Australian outback on a book tour and I have been chased off of BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends by legendary rock drummer Ginger Baker, who didn’t like me mentioning the term “big bang”...

Qupid Love Story - Jade Harvey and Alex Berrill
10 February 2020

In her own words, alumna Jade Harvey narrates the love story of herself and her fiancé and soon to be husband, Alex Berrill. The happy couple are due to get married July 25, 2020 at a remote mountain lodge in BC, Canada where they now live.

Qupid Love Story - Katherine Tinoco Reyes & Andreas Beckwith
10 February 2020

In his own words, alumnus Andreas Beckwith shares his alumni love story and how despite not meeting his wife and fellow alumna at Queen Mary, the University did play a role in their relationship, to the extent that their baby daughter will "no doubt be encouraged to continue the family tradition and study at Queen Mary at some point in the future!"   

Alumni profile - Dr Lochana Nanayakkara
5 February 2020

After completing specialty training, I came back to Barts as a Consultant and I have been here for the last sixteen years. I know every single person in this building really well and they know me, so being President of our dental alumni felt like it would be such an honour. It is also the first time we have had a Director of Dental Education for BartsHealth, so this is an exciting opportunity for me to raise the profile of the amazing education that goes on in the Dental Hospital.

Future alumna mini profile - Adiba Khan
3 February 2020

Following the publication of alumnus Navjot Sawhney's profile, humanitarian engineer and co-founder of The Washing Machine Project, we caught up with current BEng Biomedical Engineering student and part-time Design Engineer for Nav's project, Adiba Khan. Stay tuned for part two of Adiba's profile once she has graduated!

Alumni Profile - Navjot Sawhney
31 January 2020

The humanitarian engineer who co-founded The Washing Machine Project, a social enterprise dedicated to designing and distributing a manual hand-cranked washing machine to displaced and low-income people around the world. "Engineers around the world have the power and responsibility to bring about change; small scale inventions will truly transform the lives of people in need."

Alumni profile - Winsome Yuen
27 January 2020

Former intern for, and now full-time Software Engineer at, Spotify - "By the time graduation was round the corner I had already contributed in improving the premium pages user interface to increase conversion rate and I was working on the worldwide free 3-month trial campaign across all of Spotify Premium plans." 

Alumni profile - Zeeshan Nazar
23 January 2020

I am living proof that BAME individuals can go anywhere they want – we just need to go into recruitment and career processes with the right mind-set and be willing to adapt and overcome. I can now recognise that the setbacks along my journey to my current role as a Commercial Management Graduate for BT, were in fact setups. They enabled me to build a resilient and impenetrable mind-set. 

A Gift For The Future
22 January 2020

We would like to thank everyone for showing their support for our A Gift ForThe Future campaign. From buying mouth-watering, home-baked goodies to spinning the wheel at Winter Graduation, staff and students have successfully raised £283 for the Annual Fund - thank you! 

Alumni profile - William Sung
21 January 2020

Today I am a Professional Executive and Business Coach and CEO of my own company Wilosophy, however, I also have nearly twenty years' worth of experience working with HSBC - at one stage as a General Manager I had 9000 people reporting to me!

Alumni profile - Leila Alimadadi
17 January 2020

Within my first six months working at Queen Mary, I was lucky enough to go on a few big trips, including a two week trip to South East Asia. I had the opportunity to go to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia – I went to all of the capital cities... being thrown in at the deep end has given me the confidence to know that I can go anywhere and do these kind of events by myself.

Alumni profile - Dr Simon Fleming
13 January 2020

I was a medical student during the 7/7 bombings and I was at the Royal London when the major incident was declared and all of the patients started coming in. That day confirmed that I wanted to be an orthopaedic surgeon; I saw the way the ‘pods that day were cool, calm and collected whilst fixing people and making decisions... I also lead the internationally renowned anti-bullying, undermining and harassment campaign known as #HammerItOut.

Alumni profile - Dr. Dena Al Thani
10 January 2020

Designing technology to change people's lives is fascinating. The pleasure of doing applied research is that you can see the impact of your work quite fast. I am currently leading a number of research projects in the field of assistive technology and accessibility. These projects serve two groups of users: the blind, and children with an autism spectrum disorder.

Alumni profile - Jorge Figueiredo Da Cruz
7 January 2020

In the context of moving abroad to work in Thailand, I believe Queen Mary prepared me to work in an unfamiliar environment with different people from different backgrounds. Due to its highly multicultural nature, Queen Mary taught me to embrace differences and to use them productively and efficiently at work. For example, I have led regional projects in Asia with teams from different countries and consolidated each team’s perspective on a particular issue.

Telephone Campaign 2019
18 December 2019

This November, we had our ninth Telephone Campaign. We are thrilled to announce that our campaign was a huge success thanks to our incredibly generous alumni!

Alumni Profile - Zlatina Jekova, aka La Elegantia
18 December 2019

Through my blog, I want to show my audience all the incredible places around the world that I travel to, but because I am just as interested in fashion, I always take a lot of different outfits with me to expand my audience’s perspective on fashion too.

Alumni profile - Moj Taylor
13 December 2019

The main transferable skill I took away from my University experience was emotional intelligence: understanding and interacting with diversity of culture, religion, gender and creative ideas – not everyone is going to agree with you and that’s fine. I also liked being thrust into an environment where everything is questioned and where you were supported from day one to experiment with the person you wanted to be – personally and professionally. 

Alumni profile - Elena Baldwin
9 December 2019

There's a patient at the end of my supply chain and it’s about them and the people that I work with to make it happen which makes my job so worthwhile. Knowing that I have made and can make a difference to someone else’s life is a great achievement. 

Alumni profile - Hal Dubuisson
6 December 2019

It feels amazing to have developed a product that has the potential to help doctors and paramedics save people’s lives – I really like the fact that design can have such a positive impact. My aim is to carry on innovating in emergency and trauma design.

Alumni profile - Helen Buckley
3 December 2019

One of the scariest things as an author is knowing that people will read your work and critique it, so to have such positive feedback on my debut novel Star in the Shadows, feels really overwhelming. As an author, I am able to completely immerse myself in my character’s lives. As I write, I feel like I’m there with them.

Alumni profile - Ruth Mensah
28 November 2019

I wanted to experience working within the Higher Education sector and as I had such a positive experience whilst studying at Queen Mary, I thought it would be a great next step to enhance my career development by working within the Careers and Enterprise department in the programme team!

Alumni profile - Mina Leung
25 November 2019

I’m a dentist but I work with people with additional needs, for example, anxious patients, housebound patients and people with special needs like autism and learning difficulties. Also marginalised communities like homeless people and travelling communities.

Alumni profile - David Pakozdi
22 November 2019

I am from Budapest, Hungary, and I knew I wanted to work in an industry related to economics early on. London, as a location to study, seemed a natural choice because of its worldwide reputation as the ultimate financial capital of Europe and one of the most important global hubs. I also liked that despite being in London, Queen Mary has a proper campus with plenty of green spaces nearby.

Alumni profile - Miniver Theatre Company
20 November 2019

"It all started when we took a show up to the Fringe with QMTC, we really enjoyed all aspects of the show, from the creation of the piece to the final performances. We decided this was something we wanted to continue beyond Queen Mary, once we had both graduated. So the two of us decided to set up our own company so we could continue making theatre independently."

Alumni profile - Shola Lee
15 November 2019

My friend and I established our own online publication called The Simple Press in 2018; it is an independent outlet that makes everyone’s voice heard. We have a team of incredible writers, each with a unique voice and viewpoint, who we help to find new leads and article opportunities and offer guidance where possible. 

Alumni profile - Peter Halprin
11 November 2019

In my primary role, I am a Partner in the New York office of Pasich LLP. My Grandmother and my Grandfather were both lawyers and had their own legal practice together; my Father is a retired Judge and my Sister is a prosecutor in Boston so I guess you could say that there is something in our blood!

Winning space competition entries for 'An evening with astronaut Michael Foale'
8 November 2019

On Wednesday the 6^th of November, as part of Queen Mary’s new Public Lecture series, former NASA astronaut Michael Foale, veteran of six space missions and survivor of the worst crash in spaceflight history, was invited to share his stories at the Perrin Lecture Theatre, Blizard Institute. The Alumni Engagement Team ran a competition to offer complimentary tickets to our alumni.

Joint Alumni Profile - Leandro & Sofia
5 November 2019

We met when we were 17 and we had always wanted to study abroad together. When we achieved a scholarship to study here, our dream came true. Overall Queen Mary, the University and its location, offered us the full package.

Alumni profile - Niva Thiruchelvam
1 November 2019

As a civil servant for HM Treasury, it's really motivating to work on issues knowing that the solution can have a positive impact on millions of people’s lives - I'm currently working on tackling climate change!

Alumni profile - Jack Baldan
28 October 2019

I got to interview former White House staff as part of my masters, which was based on the re-election of Bill Clinton in 1996. My professor Mark White encouraged me to not be afraid to reach out to people at that kind of level.

Alumni profile - Zoë Rutland
25 October 2019

So much goes into the planning and laying out of a book that seeing it all come together beyond what you expected makes agonizing over the tiny details worth it ... the first book I worked on was advertised on the underground for a Christmas campaign and it was a really cool feeling to see it on my commute!

Alumni profile - Barry Lui
21 October 2019

As a QMentor, being a part of the crucial transition for graduates who have just come out of university is highly appealing to me, especially as I can distinctly remember how scary it is taking the leap into the world of work. I’ve been there and I started in this exact same University.

Alumni profile - Kajal Kumar
18 October 2019

The field of economics is male dominated and it becomes more so as you progress to higher levels, but the profession is trying hard to attract more women. I hope that the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences which was given to a woman, inspires other women to enter the profession like I have. 

Student Futures: Barts and The London SPiCE conference
15 October 2019

Your very generous donations enabled a group of Barts and The London students, to hold their very own on-campus conference. A grant of £2,000 from the Annual Fund helped us put together a day of presentations to over 50 delegates – it was a very successful day thanks to your support!

Alumni profile - Angelica Hill
11 October 2019

I feel privileged to be working at one of the world’s greatest newspapers at a time of unprecedented turmoil and political challenge. It excites me to be in what feels like the epicentre of breaking news and great minds. The beauty of working in Product Management is that there really isn’t a typical day.

Alumni profile - Filotas-Georgios Niarchos
2 October 2019

Queen Mary helps you discover new opportunities and take a deeper look at a great variety of jobs that I, personally, could never have imagined were possible in my hometown. Not only my studies, but also the entrepreneurial environment at Queen Mary, gave me the opportunity and motivation to begin my own companies. 

Alumni profile - Isabel Overton
27 September 2019

The town I grew up in and the school I went to really lacked diversity, so coming to Queen Mary and experiencing real multiculturalism and inclusivity was such a positive experience for me. Exposure to different ethnicities and religions helped me build my awareness and become a better person.

Rahul Krishna - My tribute to London, my second home.
24 September 2019

A poem by our alumnus Rahul Krishna about his experience of living and studying in London. Rahul did his Masters in Law in the 2017-2018 academic year. 

Alumni profile - Elliott Ajai-Ajagbe Daley
20 September 2019

As a freelancer, I can commit to a project, give it my all as I know it can't last forever, and I have to get what I can while giving all I am to the finite experience. I've travelled around the world and directed theatre in forests in Portugal, villages in Africa and schools and theatres around the world performing at the V&A, TedX and the Olympics.

Donor Story: Liz Green
15 September 2019

Liz graduated in the late 90s but remains close with Barts and The London and decided to give back to the University in one of our telephone campaigns. She kindly shared many memories of her time here and why she supports today’s students.

Elizabeth Green, Pathology with Basic Medical Sciences, 1997

Donor story: Andrew Popperwell
15 August 2019

Andy graduated in the 1970s but remains very close with Queen Mary and has been giving back to the University since our first ever telephone fundraising campaign! He kindly shared many memories of his time here and why he supports today’s students.

Andrew Popperwell, BSc Physics, 1974

Graduation 2019: Alumni Profile - Tasqeen Ahmed
1 August 2019

Congratulations to the Class of 2019, who graduated last week from Queen Mary University of London. To round off our graduation campaign, we spoke to School of Biological and Chemical Sciences / School of Medicine and Dentistry alumna Tasqeen Ahmed, who has some fantastic advice for graduates, considering a career in the Civil Service.

Tasqeen Ahmed, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Campaign for Science and Engineering
(Cancer and Molecular Pathology and Genomics MSc, 2016)

Graduation 2019: Alumni Profile - Weicheng Hung
26 July 2019

As Graduation week draws to a close, we spoke with School of Economics and Finance Alumnus, Weicheng Hung who discussed his career journey since graduating from Queen Mary in 2016 and also focusses on his Masters in Banking for those graduating this year, who are considering Postgraduate study.

Weicheng Hung, Associate, Mizuho
(Banking MSc, 2016)

Graduation 2019: Alumni Profile - Emma Black
25 July 2019

In celebration of today’s School of Biological and Chemical Sciences (SBCS) Graduation ceremony, we spoke to alumna Emma Black, who graduated 3 years ago with a BSc in Biology. Emma talks about her experience on the graduate scheme at EY and offers some helpful advice to this year’s graduates.

Emma Black, FS Assurance Audit Senior, EY
(BSc Biology, 2016)

Graduation 2019: Alumni Profile - Anum Ahmed
24 July 2019

We were lucky enough to talk with School of English and Drama alumna, Anum Ahmed, 5 years after her own graduation and find out where her degree has taken her and also collect some valuable tips for 2019 Graduates to take on-board. 

Anum Ahmed, Senior LGBT Policy Officer, Government Equalities Office
(English BA, 2014)

Graduation 2019: Alumni Profile - Trisha Mason
22 July 2019

Ahead of today’s School of Languages, Linguistics and Film Graduation ceremony, we spoke to Queen Mary alumna, Trisha Mason, who a year ago attended her own graduation. Trisha explains how her time at Queen Mary helped on her rapid journey into the corporate world and has some advice for this year’s graduates.

Trisha Mason, VIP Relations Executive, Informa
(French with Business Management BA, 2018)

Graduation 2019: Alumni Profile - Paul Loveridge
21 July 2019

In support of those graduating this week,  we spoke to active Alumni Volunteer, Paul Loveridge, 20 years after he graduated from Queen Mary with a Law Degree. Paul provides insight into his career journey since 1999 and some tips for those graduating in 2019.

Paul Loveridge, Senior Legal Counsel, HSBC
(Law LLB, 1999)

Graduation 2019: Alumni Profile - Cassio Mosse
17 July 2019

We spoke to Cassio Mosse, Alumni Ambassador for Brazil, about how his time at Queen Mary University of London helped him forge a career as an Intellectual Property, Fashion and Social Media Lawyer.

Cassio Mosse, Partner, MOSSE IP, Fashion and Social Media Law
(Intellectual Property Law LLM, 2015)

Student story: Meklt Abura
15 July 2019

Meklt is a Human Geography student. She accepted a place to study at Queen Mary after successfully completing her A Levels in Geography, Economics and Maths.

Meklt Abura, Annual Fund Scholarship recipient 2018

International Women in Engineering Day 2019: Helen Hagos
27 June 2019

In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day on Sunday 23 June 2019, we spoke to alumnae who are now working in the Engineering field.

Helen Hagos
(Mechanical Engineering MEng, 2011)

International Women in Engineering Day 2019: Sandya Abrar
23 June 2019

In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day on Sunday 23 June 2019, we spoke to alumnae who are now working in the Engineering field.

Sandya Abrar
(Sustainable Energy Engineering BEng, 2013)

International Women in Engineering Day 2019: Zakiyyah Auchoybur
23 June 2019

In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day on Sunday 23 June 2019, we spoke to alumnae who are now working in the Engineering field.

Zakiyyah Auchoybur
(Biomedical Engineering with Industrial Experience BEng, 2018)

International Women in Engineering Day 2019: Dr Yun Li
23 June 2019

In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day on Sunday 23 June 2019, we spoke to alumnae who are now working in the Engineering field.

Dr Yun Li
(Electronic Engineering PhD, 2016)

Student story: Sameeha Goni
15 June 2019

Sameeha is a Geography and Business Management student at Queen Mary. She grew up in East London. 

Sameeha Goni, Annual Fund Scholarship recipient 2018

Student story: Bheatriz Elsas
15 May 2019

Bheatriz is a third-year medical student at Barts and The London. She is the youngest of six siblings and the first in her family to go to university outside of her native country. 

Bheatriz Elsas, Hardship Bursary recipient 2018

Student story: Tara Frazer
15 April 2019

Tara is a first-year History student at Queen Mary and is one of this year’s Sally Sainsbury History Scholarship recipients.

Tara Frazer, Sally Sainsbury History Scholarship recipient 2018

Donor and student recipient story: Priya Patel
15 March 2019

Priya Patel is a recent Queen Mary graduate. She completed her mathematics degree in 2017 and began working at J. P Morgan shortly after.

Priya Patel, Graduation Hardship Fund recipient 2017

Student story: Hamzah Azam
15 February 2019

Hamzah is a BEng Chemical Engineering student at QMUL. He accepted his place to study after completing in A levels in Maths, Biology and Chemistry. He grew up in East London with three of his siblings.

Hamzah Azam, Annual Fund Scholarship recipient 2018

Expeditions Fund story: Natasha Wilding
15 January 2019

The Annual Fund helped Natasha travel to Bangladesh during 2018 summer to carry out healthcare research and volunteer with Selfless Charity.

Natasha Wilding, Medical student

Telephone Campaign 2018
15 December 2018

This November, our wonderful team of student callers got in touch with our alumni for our eighth telephone fundraising campaign.

Donor story: Rosemary Rayner
2 November 2018

Dr Rayner is a Barts and The London alumna. She studied Medicine at the Royal London Hospital Medical College and graduated in 1981. She is now a retired paediatrician.

Rosemary Rayner, The London Hospital Medical College, Class of 1981

Student story: Kanesha Edwards
15 September 2018

Kanesha is a BSc Psychology student at Queen Mary University of London. She is from Hackney, East London and is the first in her family to go to University.

Kanesha Edwards, Queen Mary & Westfield Alumni Bursary recipient 2017

Student story: Sajid Ahmed
15 August 2018

Sajid is a BSc Economics, Statistics and Mathematics student. He accepted a place to study at QMUL after obtaining A*, A* and B in his A Levels (Maths, Further Maths and Economics). Sajid is from Newham and as the eldest of four siblings is the first in his family to go to university.

Sajid Ahmed, Annual Fund Scholarship recipient 2017

Donor story: Keith Thomas, The London Hospital Medical College, Class of 1955
10 August 2018

Queen Mary entrepreneurs supported by £50,000 Santander Universities fund
29 June 2018

Student story: Ali Bahaci
5 June 2018

Ali is a BSc Biochemistry student. He is the first in his family to attend university.

Ali Bahaci, Queen Mary & Westfield Alumni Bursary recipient 2017

Student story: Ahsan Bashar
19 April 2018

Ahsan is a BSc Pure Mathematics student. He accepted a place to study at QMUL after obtaining A*, A and B in his A levels (Maths, Further Maths and Geography). Ahsan is from Newham and as the eldest of his siblings is the first in his family to go to University. 

Ahsan Bashar, Annual Fund Bursary 2017

Scholarships for Excellence
21 November 2017

Our alumni provided 20 Scholarships for Excellence. These were awarded to students in the School of Medicine and Dentistry for high attainment and academic merit. Gemma and Eduardo, are two recipients of this award; read on to find out how your support helped them.

Student story: Nazeefah
12 July 2017

Nazeefah is a BSc Psychology student in Queen Mary University of London. She is the first in her family to go to University.

Nazeefah, Annual Fund bursary recipient

Student Story: Jessica Daly
18 April 2017

Jessica Daly is a History student in Queen Mary University of London. She lives in Bow, East London.

Jessica Daly, Annual Fund Bursary recipient

Student story: Papia Kabir
29 March 2017

Papia Kabir is a History and Politics student. She is originally from the East End and attended Central Foundation Girls School in Bow. She studied History, Geography, Sociology and Psychology for A-levels and achieved 3 As and a B.

Papia Kabir, History Scholarship recipient 2016-2019

Donor story: Oyedola Osilaja, BSc Economics
10 March 2017

Student story: Kevin Gurung
22 February 2017

Kevin is a Medicine student at Barts and The London. He is originally from Nepal but moved to Reading, aged ten, with his parents and brother.

Kevin Gurung, Annual Fund Scholarship for Excellence recipient

Student Futures story: Liam Fallon, BEng Mechanical Engineering
7 February 2017

QMUL work experience led to a job in New York for Liam Fallon

"My name is Liam and I am pleased to say I am now a Queen Mary University of London graduate, having graduated last summer. I come from South Africa originally but grew up in the UK so it is London I mostly call home. I live with my mother who lectures English and my sister who studies in London."

Student Story: Jake Webber
26 January 2017

Student story: Georgina Smart
1 December 2016

QMUL Observatory
22 November 2016

Student story: Angelo Ruggiero
7 November 2016

My name is Angelo Ruggiero and I've just started my final year in Economics and Business. I’m from a small Italian town called Vallo della Lucania but when I was twelve my parents decided to move to London with me, my twin brother and younger brother.

Angelo Ruggerio, Annual Fund Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement 

Student story: Benedicta Sarfo-Adu
28 October 2016

Student story: Oliwia Wasik
14 October 2016

My name is Oliwia and I’m a third-year International Relations student. I’m really proud to have the chance to speak to you all as you also studied here. You and I probably share similar experiences of student life. I wonder if you remember your time here as I do?

Oliwia Wasik, QMUL Annual Fund Scholarship for Outstanding Performance

Student story: Mohzma Hussain
30 September 2016