Category: Students

Meg Spiteri: Representing the student voice

Celebrating Disability History Month  

Meg Spiteri

“It’s about connecting students with other people going through the same thing and having a sense of community.” 

Alongside her PhD with the Department of Bioengineering, Meg is the Imperial College Union Disabilities Officer.   

Navigating student life  

Now in the third year of her PhD, Meg is developing a medical device to prevent pressure ulcers.  

It was in her first year of her PhD that Meg was diagnosed with autism, and she completed her undergraduate degree at Imperial with minimal adjustments.  

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Comfort Oluwakoya: Upholding Black voices

“I want Black and minority ethnic students to know that they belong at Imperial and that there’s a place here for them.”

Comfort Oluwakoya is a third year Medical student and is Imperial College Union’s current Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer.

Upholding Black voices

Comfort was driven to become the union’s BME Officer as she believes it is vital Black students having a seat at the table and she wants to provide a Black role model for new students. (more…)

Steve Nimo, Undergraduate, Electronic and Information Engineering

Steve Nimo

“Being one of the first in my family to go to university, let alone a Russell Group university, I have found it less easy to access the kind of mentorship we need to be successful in today’s world of work.”

I’m currently a second-year undergraduate student studying Electrical and Information Engineering at Imperial College London. Being one of the first in my family to go to university, let alone a Russell Group university, I have found it less easy to access the kind of mentorship we need to be successful in today’s world of work. For example, I didn’t even know that opportunities such as internships and spring weeks existed! In the past this has impacted the way I thought about post-graduation careers and opportunities. My first year consisted of a lot of research into careers, as my main aim is to secure a top job offer when I graduate.

I spent the first part of my childhood in East London, before moving to a small area just outside Birmingham. As a Christian, I believe that God has a plan for each of us and moving from London enabled me to grow as an individual, as I had to learn to adapt quickly to new environments. Moving from London helped me realise the importance of studying and hard work – my academic results quickly improved thanks to my newly found determination. Receiving my offer from Imperial felt remarkable as I was able to return to London as an undergraduate studying in one of the world’s best universities! (more…)

Avi Ela (she/her), Medical Student and Imperial College Union LGBTQ+ Officer

Avi Ela, Medical Student and Imperial College Union LGBT+ Officer

“I have adored every moment of my time as Imperial College Union’s LGBTQ+ Officer 2023-24.”

As a queer British-Asian female of colour, I have experienced much hatred and prejudice. I believe that amplifying the voices of underrepresented people is vital. I wish for the world to become a more inclusive place for marginalised folk. I strongly believe that we are all capable of creating change for the better. I pride myself in wanting to help others and have found that a personal connection to the work fuels my passion. I will do all I can to fight the battles of discrimination inspired by fearless queer activists who came before me, such as Marsha P. Johnson.

As LGBTQ+ Officer for the Imperial College Union, I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to make meaningful changes  that benefit Imperial’s community. I am particularly proud to have launched the LGBTQ+ Students of Imperial video series for Pride Month, produced in collaboration with Digital Media Lab. As a Medical student, it was also a fantastic opportunity to attend NHS England’s LGBTQ+ Health Conference 2024 and gain insights into various aspects of LGBTQ+ healthcare. Being short-listed for Activist of the Year by the nationwide Queer Student Awards and receiving a Union Fellowship Award are humbling accolades of my efforts this year for which I am beyond grateful. (more…)

Christopher Zhu, Taught Postgraduate, Centre for Environmental Policy

Christopher Zhu

“My commitment to climate action is driven by a sense of responsibility shared by my generation to safeguard our world for future generations.”

As an environmental policy student, Imperial has shaped my academic and personal growth over the past few years and motivated me to pursue a career addressing the significant challenges of climate change. My deep-rooted passion for environmental policy stems from a desire to understand and combat the detrimental impacts of human activity on our planet, ensuring a sustainable and equitable future for all. This commitment to climate action is driven by a sense of responsibility shared by my generation to safeguard our world for future generations.

Imperial has offered me the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of research projects, volunteer work, and mentorship activities aimed at tackling important sustainability issues, spanning in scale from global conferences to being active in the local and university community. (more…)

Aglaia Freccero, President’s PhD Scholar, Division of Psychiatry

Aglaia Freccero, President’s PhD Scholar, Division of Psychiatry

“Along with my studies, mental health activism has given me a sense of purpose as a means of personal and public empowerment.”

I am Aglaia, a first-year President’s Scholar in the Division of Psychiatry. I moved to London in 2017 to pursue my BSc at UCL. When my mental health started to decline, I had to interrupt my studies. In 2018, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but with the appropriate support, I eventually graduated. My mental health struggles fuelled my interest in psychiatry and public health. (more…)

Dana Whigan, Faculty of Medicine, Undergraduate

Dana Whigan

“Learning languages is something I have always liked to do on the side. Through British Sign Language Horizons modules, I have connected with the teaching staff and my fellow students and found a language I truly enjoy.”

I am currently in my second year of BSc Medical Biosciences and my second year of being the Student Rep for British Sign Language (BSL) Horizons modules. Within my role, I represent students that are learning British Sign Language Levels 1 and 2 and discuss their feedback to help shape how BSL is taught as part of the Horizons/I-Explore programme. (more…)

Aigun Gassanova, Undergraduate, Faculty of Medicine

Aigun Gassanova, Undergraduate, Faculty of Medicine

“Imperial has taught me that science is not just a subject; it’s a way of thinking.”

Approaching the final term of my Medical Biosciences course at Imperial, I reflect on the journey that brought me here and realise how Imperial has transformed my life.

I grew up in a culture where science was rarely discussed in daily life, and pursuing it out of curiosity was considered unconventional. My goal of studying at Imperial was deemed overly ambitious by everyone around me. However, in 2021, I joined Imperial as an international student, armed with a passion to grow beyond myself and a determination to learn. (more…)

Mateo Akel, Undergraduate, Faculty of Medicine

Mateo Akel, Undergraduate, Faculty of Medicine

“I believe technology has the potential to democratise healthcare, making it more accessible and effective for the wider population.”

My name is Mateo Akel, and I am in my third year studying BSc Medical Biosciences at Imperial. I’m originally from Lebanon. My journey to Imperial was fueled by two passions: a deep interest in the human body, and a keenness to explore how technology can transform our understanding and healthcare practices. This year for my third-year project, I seized an opportunity to work with the Medtech startup FundamentalVR, where I honed my skills in 3D VR modelling—a field that intrigued me, but I hadn’t explored before. This placement didn’t just broaden my grasp of VR’s potential in healthcare; it equipped me with valuable skills for my future endeavours. (more…)