Alumni Brains

What is your name?

Muireann Hogan

Where are you from?

Galway, Ireland

Which class do you belong to?

MSc Translational Neuroscience 2026

Where and what did you study before joining Imperial College London?

I studied Neuroscience & Psychology at King’s College London

How did you find your Master’s experience at the College?
My experience at Imperial was incredibly inspiring. There was always so much interesting research and work happening around me, and it was exciting to be surrounded by people who were passionate about pushing the boundaries of neuroscience. The course was definitely intense and challenging at times, but I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it. I learned a huge amount, both academically and personally, and I really valued the opportunity to explore different areas of neuroscience in such a stimulating environment

Which research project did you work on?

I completed my research project in the Grossman Lab, where I worked on closed-loop temporal interference stimulation. We explored the possibility of phase-locking stimulation to endogenous alpha oscillations, with the aim of developing a more responsive approach to brain stimulation

Where are you now? 

I’m still living in London

What are you working on?
I’m currently applying to PhD programmes, with the aim of continuing to work in neuromodulation and neurotechnology. I’m also exploring opportunities in industry within the neurotechnology space. Alongside this, I’m working with an early-stage start-up, which has been a really exciting opportunity to gain experience outside of academia and explore how neuroscience and technology can be translated into real-world applications

What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master’s student?

One of the most important lessons I learnt was to embrace uncertainty and stay curious. Research rarely goes exactly according to plan, and learning to approach unexpected results as an opportunity to ask better questions was incredibly valuable. The Master’s also taught me that you don’t necessarily need to have your entire career mapped out. Sometimes the most important thing is to follow the areas that genuinely excite you and see where they lead

How did the Master’s programme help you get to where you are now?

The Master’s gave me the knowledge, research experience and confidence to pursue my interests in neuromodulation and neurotechnology. The programme exposed me to a broad range of neuroscience research and showed me how different disciplines can come together to develop new technologies for understanding the brain. It has given me a strong foundation for my future career

Read Muireann Hogan: ‘My experience at Imperial was incredibly inspiring’ in full

What is your name?
Felix Varenne

Where are you from?
Paris

To which class do you belong?
MSc Translational Neuroscience, Class of 2026

Where and what did you study before joining Imperial College London?
I studied a BSc in biochemistry at UCL

How did you find your Master’s experience at the College?
I thoroughly enjoyed it. The fast pace of the first few modules was challenging, less because of the complexity of the material than its sheer density. That’s perhaps to be expected when you’re studying the brain, one of the most complex objects in the known universe, if not the most complex. Once I’d adjusted to the pace, I loved the range of modules, from the neuropsychiatry of addiction to machine learning models in healthcare. I was also lucky to be part of a very diverse and fun cohort and to have brilliant and supportive professors and tutors along the way

Which research project did you work on?
I worked in the Centre for Psychedelic Research (CPR), part of the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial, under the supervision of Dr. David Erritzøe and Dr. Claudio Agnorelli. My project used existing clinical trial data to investigate whether participants’ baseline psychological traits measurably shape the nature of the acute psychedelic experience. The initial results support this idea, and I’m hoping to incorporate data from further studies to test it more robustly

Where are you now?
I’m taking a short break after a demanding but deeply rewarding year. I had been training for the Lisbon Marathon, which I’ve now completed!

What are you working on?
Following my break, I’ll be staying on at the CPR to develop my thesis into a paper for publication next year. I’m also applying for the President’s PhD Scholarship to investigate how psychedelics interact with neuronal mitochondria, with supervision from the Centre for Psychedelic Research and the Department of Brain Sciences, including Dr Kambiz Alavian.

What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master’s student?
Curiosity is essential in any discipline, and even more so in science. It’s what led me to this course. But once I was in it, the intensity and depth of the material meant curiosity alone wasn’t enough, and that’s where consistency came in. When friends and family asked how the course was going, I described it as a speedboat picking up speed. At first the ride is bumpy and uncomfortable, but once you’re up to speed you glide over water that used to feel choppy. Any slowdown, though, drops you straight back into the chop. Consistency has been one of the hardest things for me to maintain, but also one of the most satisfying

How did the Master’s programme help you get to where you are now?
The MSc rekindled my passion for learning and research, and for trying to unravel some of the most fundamental aspects of the human brain and, by extension, how we consciously perceive and understand reality. I never imagined myself as an academic or a researcher, but here I am applying for grants and increasingly excited about adding my own little brick to the foundations of neuroscience and psychedelic research

Read Felix Varenne: ‘I am excited about adding my own little brick to the foundations of neuroscience and psychedelic research’ in full

What is your name?

Eliza Munteanu

Where are you from?

I am from Romania and Belgium

Which class do you belong to?

MRes Experimental Neuroscience, class of 2026

Where and what did you study before joining Imperial College London?

I completed the Medical Biosciences BSc at Imperial College London

How did you find your Master’s experience at the College?

My MRes experience challenged me in the best way. Within twelve months, I gained insight across several areas of neuroscience research, expanded my technical skill set and met like-minded people who share my interest in disease mechanisms and translational potential. Even outside the lab, organising my own projects and communicating with prospective supervisors are skills I will carry forward as I pursue a PhD. I am confident this course has equipped me with the tools to thrive in a research-intensive environment while confirming my decision to remain in academia

Which research project did you work on?

My first project took place in the Division of Psychiatry under the supervision of Dr Martina Di Simplicio. There, I investigated the effectiveness of personalised behavioural recommendations delivered through a mental health app, Mindcraft, in improving disordered eating and self-harming behaviours in adolescents in schools. I investigated these outcomes through a three-arm randomised controlled trial over a month-long period.

My second project was at the Francis Crick Institute, in Dr Sila Ultanir’s Kinases and Brain Development Lab. I investigated TANK-Binding Kinase 1 (TBK1). Through this project, I validated two novel TBK1 candidate substrates in a cellular context and characterised their role at poly-GA aggregates relevant to ALS-FTD pathology, helping clarify TBK1’s role in disease onset and progression.

My third project was in Dr Naoto Watamura’s lab, where I optimised an SH-SY5Y reporter cell line to detect seeding-competent alpha-synuclein in tissue samples. Using these reporter cells, I tested whether previously uncharacterised humanised A53T SNCA knock-in mice had any seeding-competent alpha-synuclein at 6 months, informing their pathological timeline.

Where are you now? 

I am currently in London, exploring future research directions and PhD opportunities

What are you working on?

I am discussing possible projects with my previous supervisors while continuing to apply to PhD programmes across England focused on gaining mechanistic insight into neurodegeneration and neurodevelopment, with the aim of identifying tractable intervention points for future therapeutic translation

What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master’s student?

I learned that when research feels uncomfortable, you grow the most as a scientist. There were several times during the MRes when I felt out of my depth, but looking back, those were the moments when I learned the most, because they forced me to leverage the skills I already had

How did the Master’s programme help you get to where you are now?

Beyond technical skills and project organisation, the MRes connected me with a network of leading neuroscientists I can learn from and work with in the future. These connections have proven invaluable during my PhD applications

Read Eliza Munteanu: ‘The MRes connected me with a network of leading neuroscientists I can learn from and work with’ in full

What is your name?

Rebekah Lily Bourne

Where are you from?

I’m originally from the UK but grew up in the Netherlands

Which class do you belong to?

MSc Translational Neuroscience 2025-26 cohort

Where and what did you study before joining Imperial College London?

I did a BA in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge and specialised in neuroscience in my final year

How did you find your Master’s experience at the College?

I found the Master’s really interesting. What drew me to this course was the translational aspect: learning about the brain in the context of disease, and the ways it can fail us, is a very motivating angle for me. The diversity of assessment formats during the taught half, such as group presentations and hackathons, was both challenging and a great opportunity to become a more well-rounded and confident scientist and communicator

Which research project did you work on?

I did my MSc project at the Nott Lab, using post-mortem human brain tissue to investigate the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. My research focused on MITF, a transcription factor which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease in microglia. I worked towards optimising a CUT&Tag protocol to profile MITF-binding sites across the genome. Mapping these sites may help us better understand the disease-associated role of MITF and how it contributes to gene regulation

Where are you now? 

I am in the UK

What are you working on?

I’m applying to PhD programmes to hopefully continue researching neurodegeneration

What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master’s student?

I learnt which areas of neuroscience interested and motivated me (and which didn’t!), and a lot about how scientists approach asking and answering their questions. A big takeaway for me is the range of techniques that can be applied to the same research questions, across both wet- and dry-lab approaches. The interdependence of these two approaches, and the value of using both, really stood out to me

How did the Master’s programme help you get to where you are now?

The MSc introduced me to a wide range of research areas, people and perspectives. Especially during the taught half, collaborating on projects with students who had different academic backgrounds from mine, with degrees ranging from medicine to computer science and psychology, was a great opportunity to hear new perspectives and share ideas. The programme opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and encouraged me to pursue a career in research

Read Rebekah Lily Bourne: ‘The programme opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and encouraged me to pursue a career in research’ in full

What is your name?

Vea Marita Bley

Where are you from?

Florida, USA

Which class do you belong to?

MSc Translational Neuroscience, Class of 2026

Where and what did you study before joining Imperial College London?

I studied Biology at the University of Florida

How did you find your Master’s experience at the College?

I found my Master’s experience both challenging and incredibly rewarding. The programme constantly pushed me outside my comfort zone, whether through the academic content, clinical exposure, research, or learning new technical skills. It was intense at times, but that was also what made it so fulfilling. I came away from the year with a much clearer sense of the kind of scientist I want to become

Which research project did you work on?

My research project investigated using wearable technology to assess upper-limb motor impairment after stroke. Using movement data collected during the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, I applied machine-learning techniques to identify the kinematic features and motor tasks most predictive of impairment and compared the performance of a consumer-grade Apple Watch with the research-grade Xsens motion-capture system. Professor Aldo Faisal supervised my project. I conducted the clinical research at Charing Cross Hospital

Where are you now?

I am currently in London, exploring the next stage of my research career and opportunities to continue working at the intersection of neuroscience, wearable technology and human performance

What are you working on?

I am developing ideas for a potential industry-partnered PhD at Imperial. I am particularly interested in applying what I learned from studying movement and motor function in clinical neuroscience to human performance, including motorsport. I would like my future research to bridge neuroscience, wearable sensing and real-world performance

What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master’s student?

One of the most important lessons I learned was to stop focusing so much on doing everything perfectly and instead learn to enjoy the process of being challenged. There is something incredibly valuable about being pushed outside your comfort zone and grappling with things you do not yet understand. Over the course of the MSc, I began to see that challenge differently: being surrounded by people who know more than you, being confronted with difficult questions, and even feeling slightly overwhelmed by how much there is still to learn are all privileges. Imperial taught me to embrace that discomfort rather than fear it, because that is often where the most meaningful learning happens

How did the Master’s programme help you get to where you are now?

The MSc expanded my perspective on where a career in neuroscience could take me. It gave me the opportunity to work directly with patients while developing skills in wearable technology, data analysis and machine learning, and showed me how neuroscience can be applied to real-world challenges beyond traditional research settings. Most importantly, the programme encouraged me to think across disciplines and explore how the skills I developed could translate into areas such as human performance. This experience has shaped the direction I hope to take next: pursuing an industry-partnered PhD that builds on my work at Imperial and combines neuroscience, technology and real-world application

Read Vea Marita Bley: ‘I found my Master’s experience both challenging and incredibly rewarding’ in full

What is your name?

Nan Wu

Where are you from?

Qingdao, China

To which class do you belong?

MRes Experimental Neuroscience 2025

Where and what did you study before joining Imperial College London?

Before coming to Imperial, I studied Clinical Medicine at Shandong University (China). At the same time, I trained in basic medical research under Professor Lining Zhang, focusing on the immune microenvironment in tumours and metabolic diseases. For example, I worked on the mechanisms of how D-mannose could be used to treat obesity and depression

How did you find your Master’s experience at the College?

This year at Imperial was rewarding! It is an experience I will never forget. Imperial has world-class teaching staff and researchers, and our course director, Dr Stefano Sandrone, always reminded me to enjoy every assessment. I really took that advice to heart. Although I’ve now graduated, this is not the end, but the beginning of my journey as a researcher. This programme gave me far more than technical skills: it trained me in critical thinking and communication. Rather than simply becoming a ‘machine for experiments’, the ability to think independently and communicate ideas effectively has been the most valuable takeaway

Which research project did you work on?

The programme is divided into three projects, and all of mine focused on glioblastoma. For project 1, I worked in Dr Nelofer Syed’s group under the supervision of Dr Maria Chatziathanasiadou, I worked on identifying biomarkers of response to arginine deprivation therapy in glioblastoma. I learned how to analyse Visium data and perform immunohistochemistry. I also did my second project in Dr Syed’s lab, this time with Dr Richard Perryman. We discovered that arginine deprivation sensitises radiotherapy in ASS1-negative glioblastoma by epigenetically silencing DNA damage repair genes. For my third rotation, I joined Professor Simone Di Giovanni’s group. Supervised by Dr Marco Milano, I explored the intersection of cancer and neuroscience. We developed a small-fibre neuropathy animal model and found that epidermal neurodegeneration was associated with immune infiltration. We cultured dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons with glioblastoma-conditioned medium to study effects on neurite outgrowth and used proteomics to identify key factors

Where are you now?

I am about to return to China

What are you working on?

Back in China, I will continue collaborating remotely with Dr Syed on a project using Visiopharm to analyse changes in the glioblastoma microenvironment before and after metabolic therapy. Next June, I will begin my PhD at the University of New South Wales, focusing on epigenetic therapies for diffuse midline glioma

What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master’s student?

The most important lesson is: never lose the ability to think independently. Regardless of how bold or unconventional your ideas may be, discuss them with your supervisor. An invaluable tip I learned from Dr Syed is that when reading a paper, especially the results section, look at the figures first and try to interpret them yourself. Then compare your interpretation with the authors’. This practice helps you maintain your critical thinking

How did the Master’s programme help you get to where you are now?

The three pillars of this MRes —technical skills, critical thinking, and communication —are exactly what prepared me for the next step. Beyond experiments, being a researcher means thinking independently, questioning even high-impact publications, and having confidence in your own discoveries. The MRes transformed me into a junior researcher, and I am ready to continue my journey in the scientific world

Read Nan Wu: ‘Never lose the ability to think independently’ in full

What is your name?

Gamze Kazakoglu

Where are you from?

Istanbul, Turkey

To which class do you belong?

MSc Translational Neuroscience 2024-2025

Where and what did you study before joining Imperial College London?

I got my BSc in Psychology from Yale

How did you find your Master’s experience at the College?

Immersive, fast-paced, and deeply rewarding! I gained exposure to diverse research areas in neuroscience and ultimately chose the project that resonated with me the most

Which research project did you work on?

I completed my project with the Translational Machine Intelligence Lab and the UK Dementia Research Institute under the supervision of Professor Payam Barnaghi. My research focused on developing a machine learning pipeline that integrated clustering and supervised models to predict dementia risk from longitudinal sleep and physiological data

Where are you now? 

Still in London

What are you working on?

Working as a Business Analyst in a healthcare consulting company

What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master’s student?

For the project, I learned to plan my roadmap wisely and realistically, and to consistently check in with my supervisor—since even one small unnoticed mistake once cost me a great deal of time. As for the modules, I made it a point to take away at least one key insight from each, even when the content didn’t immediately spark my interest. Education is truly priceless, and it passes by more quickly than you realise!

How did the Master’s programme help you get to where you are now?

Apart from this amazing programme, I was also fortunate to be at an institution like Imperial and in a city like London, both of which offer numerous career resources, networking events, and opportunities to meet inspiring people. I did not shy away from taking full advantage of these opportunities and would recommend the same to everyone

Read Gamze Kazakoglu: ‘The MSc was immersive, fast-paced, and deeply rewarding!’ in full

What is your name?

Live Grødem

Where are you from?

Stavanger, Norway

To which class do you belong?

MSc Neuroscience class of 2025

Where and what did you study before joining Imperial College London?

BSc Biomedical Science at Queen Mary University of London

How did you find your Master’s experience at the College?

I had a wonderful time at Imperial. The course was very engaging, challenging and had a very steep learning curve. I had the chance to learn from world-class professors and lecturers, getting a broad understanding of neuroscience while also specialising in my own research interests. I particularly valued the translational aspect of the programme, the staff and the environment, as well as my peers who shared the same passion for science

Which research project did you work on?

I did my project with the Brain and Behavioural lab under the supervision of Dr. Paul Bentley. I investigated the use of wearable devices for motion tracking in stroke patients to improve current stroke assessments and inform rehabilitation strategies.

Where are you now? 

I am currently working in the Thuret lab at King’s College London

What are you working on?

I am investigating the role of platelets in Alzheimer’s disease. We are growing hippocampal progenitor cells and treating them with platelets and platelet-poor plasma to explore whether platelet-derived factors influence cellular processes linked to Alzheimer’s risk

What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master’s student?

To be adaptable. In science, things rarely run exactly to plan, and I learnt how to manage setbacks and find alternative approaches to keep projects moving forward

How did the Master’s programme help you get to where you are now?

I have grown a lot as a scientist. I have been introduced to the translational side of neuroscience and gained a valuable skill set to take with me into future research. I developed independence, strong collaboration and networking skills, and an interest in combining wet lab research with data-driven approaches such as machine learning and AI. These experiences now guide me as I explore PhD and research opportunities at the intersection between neuroscience and technology

Read Live Grødem: ‘I had a wonderful time at Imperial. The course was very engaging, challenging and had a very steep learning curve’ in full

What is your name?

Xiaoyue (Sydney) Xie

Where are you from?

Nanjing, China

To which class do you belong?

MRes Experimental Neuroscience class of 2025

Where and what did you study before joining Imperial College London?

I did my BSc in Biological Sciences at Imperial College London

How did you find your Master experience at the College?

Challenging yet rewarding. This Master’s helped me to think more independently. By completing three rotations, I was able to explore neuroscience, and more specifically, glial cells from various perspectives. This allowed me to approach scientific questions holistically by drawing connections across disciplines. Throughout my journey, I received considerable support from both my supervisors and the department. This Master’s has helped me to confirm the area of neuroscience I am truly passionate about

Which research project did you work on?

I did three research projects throughout this year. My first project was with Dr Kambiz Alavian. I investigated microglial mitochondrial function in Parkinson’s disease. Using a combination of techniques, such as immunostaining, protein ligation assay and patch clamp electrophysiology, I focused on DJ-1 interaction with the ATP synthase under physiological and diseased conditions. I completed my second project under Dr Raffaella Nativio, investigating DNA-damage induced senescence in astrocytes. We revealed the paracrine effect of senescence in human primary astrocytes. I opted to complete a computational project as my last rotation with Dr Anna Mallach. By analysing the open access AMP PD single-nucleus RNA sequencing dataset, I investigated the underlying drivers of cognitive symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. I focused on astrocytes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and primary motor cortex. We revealed regional divergence of astrocytic states and altered astrocytic communication with neurons.

Where are you now?

I am starting a PhD with Professor Wiliam Wisden at Imperial College London

What are you working on?

I will be investigating the function of different stages of sleep using transcriptomic approaches

What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master’s student?

Work hard but also work smart. Hard work is irreplaceable for achieving success but learning how to rest in between the busiest times is like the cherry on top of the cake – it boosts your efficiency and mental health to help achieve better results. Instead of being frustrated and defeated, view every setback as an opportunity to learn and improve. Always focus not only on getting the best grade, but on giving your best effort

How did the Master’s programme help you get to where you are now?

The Master’s program helped to understand what it’s like and how to work in a laboratory environment. I have learned to execute, plan, and complete projects efficiently within a short timeframe. By completing a report for each project, I have enhanced my skills in communicating scientific findings. All these skills are helping me grow as a scientist for my future academic journey

Read Xiaoyue (Sydney) Xie: ‘Always focus not only on getting the best grade, but on giving your best effort’ in full

What is your name?

My name is Jiayu Xiang

Where are you from?

I am from Yichang, China

To which class do you belong?

MSc Translational Neuroscience 24/25

Where and what did you study before joining Imperial College London?

I completed my BSc in Biochemistry at Imperial College London before my Master’s degree

How did you find your Master’s experience at the College?

I think it was challenging, but in the best way possible. It pushed me to grow a lot, not just in research, but also in how to balance study and life and stay curious when things got tough. The research project, in particular, was such a rewarding part of the journey. One of the highlights was meeting students from diverse backgrounds, and I learned much from my classmates. Everybody was happy to share and help each other. The course was very interactive and open to feedback. It felt like the programme kept evolving with us, which made the experience even more engaging and supportive

Which research project did you work on?

I worked with Dr Kambiz N. Alavian’s group, investigating how mitochondrial efficiency changes during ageing using C. elegans as the model. I am grateful to have had the chance to explore different techniques and explore my curiosity throughout the project. During my time in the lab, I learned how to perform mitochondrial patch clamp recording and carry out various staining experiments. I also got to set up a machine learning model to track worm behaviour, which was a whole new and exciting area for me. It was a great experience that allowed me to combine my background in molecular and cellular biology with neuroscience, and to understand ageing mechanisms at the cellular level

Where are you now?

I am back home in China to rest for a bit

What are you working on?

My Master’s experience strengthens my passion for scientific research, so I’m now applying for relevant PhD opportunities. I hope to continue building on my postgraduate project if possible. It’s a field that feels both intellectually challenging and deeply meaningful and I’m excited to keep moving forward

What is the most important lesson you learnt as a Master’s student?

Plan ahead, work ahead and stay organised. All the requirements and deadlines of the assessments in each module were released at the start, so it is crucial to balance lectures and assignments, starting early always pays off. Another valuable takeaway was learning how to present my work effectively. Working hard is the foundation, but being able to communicate your ideas clearly and confidently is important in academia and in any future career

How did the Master’s programme help you get to where you are now?

Coming from a biochemistry background, the Master’s programme was a great opportunity for me to learn neuroscience from the ground up, starting with the basic neuroanatomy and core concepts in the first few modules. Those modules helped me understand which areas of neuroscience I was most interested in. As the course went on, learning from experts in different fields helped me refine those interests further. When it came to the research project, it was a great chance to put what I learned into practice and explore my chosen topic in depth. The whole experience, from writing a research proposal to presenting our findings, gave me a real taste of what being a researcher is like. It helped me confirm my passion for this path, understand the challenges behind scientific research, and see what kind of work truly excites me

Read Jiayu Xiang: ‘The whole experience, from writing a research proposal to presenting our findings, gave me a real taste of what being a researcher is like’ in full