Our alumni

Hear from some of our recent graduates about their experience at the SBBS and the University as a whole.

Nouh Salibo – BSc Medical Genetics (graduated 2024)

Now Founder & CEO of Salibo

Studying Medical Genetics at Queen Mary was a transformative experience that shaped my passion for genetics and entrepreneurship. Inspired by reading The Code Breaker and realising the future of medicine lies in genetics, I chose Queen Mary for its innovative approach to learning, with lecturers who encouraged critical thinking. My time at Queen Mary was marked by memorable experiences, from debating the ethical implications of CRISPR-Cas9 to pitching at the QHack Enterprise Challenge and receiving incredible feedback. The knowledge and skills I gained during my studies, along with the supportive and intellectually stimulating environment, gave me the confidence to establish Salibo, an Uber-style platform for security services. Queen Mary not only expanded my academic horizons but also ignited my entrepreneurial spirit, motivating me to apply my scientific knowledge in new and impactful ways.

Aleksei Maksimov – BSc Biology (graduated 2024)

Now doing an MRes in Molecular & Cellular Biosciences at Imperial College London 

Studying Biology at Queen Mary helped me turn an early interest in life sciences into a real passion for research. Inspired by an enthusiastic A level teacher, I came looking for a balance of theory and practical work and found exactly that. I built skills in the lab as well as coding and data analysis, all of which prepared me for the next steps in my journey. Some of my favourite memories include helping design a biological experiment for a national rocketry competition and restarting the Biological Sciences Society, which went on to win several Students Union awards. My final year project in the Mullineaux group was especially influential and gave me the confidence to pursue research. I am now completing an MRes in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences at Imperial College London, building on the curiosity and training Queen Mary helped me develop. 

Daveena Jassar – BSc Biochemistry (graduated 2023)

Now Commerical and Business Development Consultant at Orion GXP 

Studying Biochemistry at Queen Mary gave me a strong foundation in life sciences and helped me grow both academically and personally. I chose Queen Mary for its reputation, diverse community, and excellent facilities, and it quickly became a place where I felt supported and motivated. Some of my best memories come from the friendships and collaborative atmosphere within my cohort, where study groups and shared support made a real difference. A major highlight was my dissertation on CRISPR Cas9, which allowed me to learn from experts who encouraged critical thinking and curiosity. I now work as a Commercial and Business Development Consultant in the pharmaceutical industry, advising organisations on regulatory pathways and compliance. The teaching, guidance, and research culture at Queen Mary gave me the skills and confidence that have been invaluable in my career. 

Hamdah Alam – BSc Psychology (graduated 2022)

Now Workday HCM Consultant at CloudRock

Studying Psychology at Queen Mary was an enriching and transformative experience. I had the opportunity to explore a subject I was passionate about while being part of a diverse and welcoming community. During my time at university, I gained invaluable experience through an internship with Mind Charity, which later shaped my career path in mental health and workforce consulting. The supportive learning environment, alongside engaging modules like Business Psychology, helped me discover new career possibilities and develop essential skills for the workplace. Queen Mary not only prepared me for my professional journey but also allowed me to grow personally, build lifelong connections, and gain confidence in my abilities. 

Lara Carter – BSc Biology (graduated 2022)

Now PhD student & Associate Teaching Fellow at UCL

Studying Biology at Queen Mary was an inspiring experience that turned early curiosity about evolution, genetics, and behaviour into a clear direction for my future. Choosing Queen Mary on results day ended up being one of my best decisions. I loved exploring modules across biochemistry, genetics, and neuroscience, and the field trips to Richmond Park and London Zoo were unforgettable parts of my learning. My dissertation project confirmed my interest in research, and the supportive academic environment made a huge difference to my confidence. After graduating, I completed an MSc in Experimental Pharmacology and Therapeutics and I am now in the second year of my PhD in Artificial Intelligence Enabled Healthcare Systems at UCL. I also teach on digital health programmes and speak at events to encourage more women into science. Queen Mary gave me the skills, support, and friendships that continue to guide me today. 

Carola Bigogno – BSc Biomedical Sciences (graduated 2018)

Went on to study Medicine, and now is a Junior Clinical Fellow in Haemotology and Haemato-Oncology in the NHS

Being at Queen Mary was an incredible honour and an amazing experience – I studied at a top university, lived in an incredible city and met many friends, some of which truly became my family away from home. During my three years at the University, I was part of many societies and social committees. I was involved in the Catholic Society and founded the Red Cross on campus with some friends. Being part of societies was an incredible opportunity, as it gave me the chance to meet people and build on my professional and interpersonal skills. Overall, studying at Queen Mary has been an eye-opening experience. I was able to get out of my comfort zone and I really learned a lot about myself and my strengths.

Becky Oldroyd - BSc Psychology (graduated 2018)

Now Metadata Manager at CLOSER

Studying as an undergraduate student at Queen Mary was one of the greatest experiences of my life – so much so that I decided to stay here to complete my PhD! As an undergraduate, I studied BSc Psychology. The course at Queen Mary was unlike any other top university course, as it had a strong biological and statistical component which prepared me from transferring straight from an undergraduate to a PhD programme. As an undergraduate, there were multiple opportunities to volunteer and get involved outside of your course, from things such as being a wellbeing mentor to A Level students, to being a research assistant working alongside PhD students, to the QInsight Civil Service course, which led to us going to Number 10 Downing Street to have a Q&A session with the head of the Civil Service! It was due to the wealth of opportunities and the world-class education that I left Queen Mary as a more confident and well-rounded version of myself. For that, I will always be grateful and proud to be a Queen Mary alumni.

Lilian Goodchild - BSc Biomedical Sciences (graduated 2018)

Now Trainee Clinical Scientist (STP) in Cancer Genomics at Synnovis, Guy's Hospital

I obtained my BSc in Biomedical Sciences from Queen Mary in 2018. Studying a degree that so broadly covers the fundamental aspects of both molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, physiology, anatomy, genetics and genomics has been so beneficial and has opened doors in such an array of scientific disciplines. For my final year thesis, I was lucky enough to put my passion for cancer biology into practice and undertake a research project at Barts Cancer Institute where I investigated the mechanisms driving chromosomal instability in pancreatic cancer. After I graduated with First Class Honours, I moved straight into a cancer research internship within the Centre for Cancer Prevention at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, where for the next 6 months I worked on a project aiming to work towards an in-depth characterisation of the pathways leading from gene methylation to specific programmes of cell differentiation. These experiences led me to my current position as Genetic Technologist in Molecular Genetics at St George’s, which without the opportunities that I had and the plethora of skills that I acquired throughout my studies and internship at Queen Mary would not have been possible. My time at Queen Mary really fuelled and strengthened my ambitions to pursue a career within cancer biology and genetics, and I am incredibly proud to be a Queen Mary alumni.

Simon Munro – BSc Biomedical Sciences (graduated 2017)

Associate Director - M&A Tax at Deloitte

In September 2014 I began my BSc degree in Biomedical Science at Queen Mary University of London. The next three years to follow would see me travel over five and half thousand miles to China twice and prepare myself for working life within the financial sector. Whilst at Queen Mary I was lucky enough to represent the university presenting the life of a student in the UK to over 200 medical students in Nanchang, China explaining what it means to be a Queen Mary student. After showing the students the state of the art facilities in SBBS, students were desperate to visit. I completed my thesis in Bioinformatics, which helped me develop key analytic skills, whilst being supervised by Professor Conrad Bessant, a leader in proteomics. Both he and the SBBS staff helped to explain how the key skills developed through my degree at Queen Mary were transferable to a career in science and the wider financial industry. My experiences at Queen Mary and the supportive team within SBBS have been paramount in my achievements while at university and since.

Razia Chowdhry - BSc Biochemistry (graduated 2016)

Now Senior Associate at PwC

I studied Biochemistry at Queen Mary University of London, which was the best decision I've made. The course gave me the chance to explore various areas of chemistry in biology, which is becoming more and more important in scientific research as we combine different fields to understand a scientific concept. There were academics and lecturers who were very passionate about their subjects and were always willing to have a conversation. The degree helped me to move onto Imperial College London to carry out a master’s degree in Biomedical Research and then into University of Oxford for a PhD. There were academics at SBBS who played important roles in my decision to pursue a PhD. Dr Ewan Main, who was my undergraduate research supervisor, gave a lot of motivation and encouragement, and Dr Jon Nield who went out of his way to help me through the application process and guided me in many ways. I also had the chance to take part in societies and make many good friends during my time at Queen Mary. I was the Vice President of the Archery Club where I was taught archery and which I continue to practice at Oxford. Queen Mary has given me a solid foundation, which I am using and plan to continue using in science to contribute to society in some way.