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.

Hamdah Alam – BSc Psychology (graduated 2022)

Now Senior Associate at PwC, HR Technology & Transformation

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. 

Carola Bigogno – BSc Biomedical Sciences (graduated 2018)

Now studying Medicine at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry

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 Doctoral Researcher in Developmental Psychology Queen Mary

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 Genetic Technologist in Molecular Genetics at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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)

Now Tax Associate at PwC

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 PhD Student at University of Oxford

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.

Cinderella Jawahar – BSc Medical Genetics (graduated 2016)

Now PhD Student in Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Southampton

I thoroughly enjoyed my time as an undergraduate at Queen Mary. I studied Medical Genetics and graduated in 2016, and the teaching and training I received prepared me well for my PhD. Our course had a strong bioinformatics basis that has been particularly useful for my research. I really enjoyed having a wide range of module choices across various biological disciplines, as these helped me identify areas I was passionate about and sparked my interest to study further. During my time at Queen Mary, I also had the opportunity to develop various skills, learn new hobbies, and even organise a Christmas themed outreach for rough sleepers. It was a wonderful three years of my life, and my time at Queen Mary has undoubtedly played an important role in shaping the person I am today.

Tasqeen Ahmed - BSc Biochemistry (graduated 2015)

Now Policy and Public Affairs Officer - Civil Service Science and Engineering Fast Stream

My four years at Queen Mary laid a brilliant foundation for my future. I studied BSc Biochemistry and undertook my final year project at a biotechnology company, BioMoti, focused on engineering cancer therapeutics. This fuelled my interest in the field of cancer research, which led me to study MSc Cancer & Molecular Pathology and Genomics at Barts Cancer Institute. No other university provided such a breadth of modules taught by leading experts. Whilst at Queen Mary, I took advantage of the many great opportunities including: interning at BP, hosting a weekly radio show for Quest Radio, working as a student ambassador, and interning at Pfizer through Q-Mentoring. Not only did this add a lot of colour to my CV, but also allowed me to develop soft skills like team work and communication which strengthened my application for the Science and Engineering Fast Stream. As part of the Fast Stream, I’m a member of the Queen Mary Outreach team and regularly attend panel events on campus to raise awareness of the Fast Stream, support students with applications and provide careers advice. I am forever grateful for my time at Queen Mary and am more than happy to provide guidance and support to students!

Ibrahim Farah – BSc Medical Genetics (graduated 2015)

Now Head of Translational Research and Discovery at Shivom

Studying Medical Genetics from leading experts and academics at one of the most respected institutions has opened many doors for me in industry and the academic world. The course was strategically designed so that I would be able further progress in genetics either through a wet lab or a bioinformatics route. This gave me an opportunity to study genetics from other areas including evolutionary and plant-based genetics, giving me a broad understanding of the field. The option to select modules empowered me to take control of my learning, and has since led me to further research into the field of neuroscience through my MSc and now in my current capacity at health-tech company Shivom. I have made lifelong friends from the course who are in the field as well and I keep in contact with them. My experience at Queen Mary shaped me into who I am today and undoubtedly SBBS will continue to shape and nurture the next generation of leading scientists.

Chloe Sinclair - BSc Biology (graduated 2015)

Now HR Program Manager at UBS

I truly enjoyed my experience at Queen Mary's School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences (SBBS) and have been able to apply many of the skills that I developed during my degree to my new career in Investment Banking. These range from technical skills in statistical analysis, to softer skills such as communication and perhaps most importantly, critical thinking. There was a good balance between lectures, lab assessments and free study time, which I found to be essential in enabling me to enhance my CV with work experience and extracurricular activities. I’m proud to have studied at Queen Mary, which enjoys a strong reputation in the business world - I’ve also met many other alumni in my current role. I’d highly recommend SBBS to prospective students and can assure current students that their experience at the School will be applicable to many career options, not limited to STEM alone. Thanks Queen Mary!