Meet Your UGS Scholars (PGT)

Hi my name is Lauren and I am a part-time commuter student in my second year of my Theology and Religious Studies Masters.  I did my undergraduate degree in my late twenties then had a small gap when I had my little girl. Now I am  racing towards my dream career as a research scholar. My areas of interest in include Quantum theology, the Occult, LGBTQIA+ and Feminist theology. 

Outside of academia I am a massive nerd. You will most likely find me with my nose stuck in a book, crocheting or playing video games. I also love to draw, watch horror and fantasy films, and play boardgames.  

I am no stranger to being busy, with my studies, my work as a student rep, and my life at home as a wife and mum. I am always on the go. I am looking forward to working as a UGS Scholar to an even create a vibrant and dazzling PGT community together. 

Hi! I’m Thea and I’m studying MA English Literature full-time. My research focuses on Posthumanist dystopias and utopias through a queer, feminist lens. I’m also interested in interactions between literature and gaming (both video and table-top games) that blur the lines between author and reader.  

I completed my undergraduate degree in English and Creative Writing here at UoB, and still write poetry when I can. Otherwise, outside of my studies I spend time painting, thinking about dinosaurs, and playing D&D and Warhammer. 

I’m really looking forward to taking up the role of UGS Scholar and getting to speak to you all about your interests. If you’d like to talk about speculative literature/film, gaming, or just about anything else, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Hello! My name is Aiyesha, and I am currently studying for my MA in Global Public Policy in the Department of Social Policy, after graduating with a first-class bachelor's degree in History and International Relations. I am passionate about bringing young people forward to decision-making processes and discussions that have a social and environmental impact, which is why I chose to study social policy!

Beyond my academic pursuits, I love reading any type of book, experiencing new foods from different cultures, making new friends and travelling to hidden gem spots, which Birmingham has a lot of. In addition to this, I have been working as a freelance writer for over two years. Based in the West Midlands, I dedicate my passion for climate restoration,  youth advocacy and social policy to my writing. My articles have been featured in Uprising, SAARI Collective, Studenteer, New Student magazine, Lead the Change and the Alpha Times newsletter based in Brussels.

With that being said, I am looking forward to organising events that strengthens, unites and builds the Post-Graduate community. If you have any questions, queries or suggestions, feel free to chat with me!

Hello there! I’m Sharmane. I’m from Taiwan and currently studying full-time MSc Marketing. I earned my bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature along with an International Business Management associate degree back in Taiwan. During my undergraduate years, I participated in several department-based and school-based activities either as the role of general coordinator or publicity. I also joined Mock United Nations in my early years of undergrad as broadening my perspectives on global issues and getting in touch with people across the globe have always been my goals. I also love to explore new skills in the marketing field, and thus interned at several multinational corporations during my third and fourth year.

Besides my academic interests, I love spending my spare time reading novels, watching series, and hanging out with my friends. I enjoy meeting new people from different cultural backgrounds through joining activities and societies as well. “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born” is one of my favourite quotes, so I look forward to working with the team while contributing to the PGT community and further planning more events to bring students together. I’d be more than happy to have a chat with you all!

Hey, everyone! I'm Elizabeth from Nigeria. I came to Birmingham for an MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering with Formulation, following my undergraduate studies in Industrial Chemistry at the University of Lagos. I'm fascinated by the beauty of engineering & science and its endless possibilities in transforming the world around us into useful products!

New to the city, I have found the University to be an exciting place so far, and I have been exploring and diving into various exciting events. Outside the classroom, you can find me exploring the shelves at the library (as I love the atmosphere there) or at the KCover Society, as I enjoy dancing and engaging with people from different cultures with similar interests. I speak a little Chinese and can always tell you the Chinese name of some items if needed. I look forward to meeting more postgraduate students through events that will take place throughout the year and sharing my experiences with you!

I can't wait to join forces as a UGS Scholar and work together on making our community interactive, livelier and tightly knit. Don't hesitate to reach out for a chat or a helping hand— I'm all about supporting you every step of the way in whatever way I can. Let's make the most of this PGT journey together!

Hello there! My name is Sarthak Tupe, and I am pursuing a Master’s in Mathematical Finance in the School of Engineering and Physics. As an international student at the University of Birmingham I can understand the challenges students face throughout their studies. I look forward to sharing my experiences with the PGT community and assisting in any way possible. I am a finance guy who looks forward to working in Quant finance. I have established my own quant fund and raised funding from investors (this is what I will do for a living guys). Feel free to reach out to me if you want to talk about finance.

I am all about that sports life, and cricket is my life. If you're down for a game or just want to chat about cricket or badminton, hit me up. I'm super chill and totally here to connect with my awesome PGT community all year round. Let's make some sports and friendship memories together!

Hi everyone! I am Abdullah, a 1^st year MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) student here at UoB! For my undergraduate studies, I studied Sport, Health, and Exercise Sciences at Brunel University London. 

I have a passion for coaching and personal training in one-to-one, group and sports academy settings. During my final year of undergraduate, I developed a huge interest and drive to want to work in healthcare and make a bigger positive impact on people’s lives

Outside of education, I love socialising/meeting new people, watching and playing football recreationally, as well as music (especially karaokes XD) and cooking!

I am from London and I did not know a single person prior to coming to Birmingham, so I really understand how daunting and difficult it can be to move to a completely unfamiliar place with strangers. So this is why I am here to help bring our PGT community together through fun and social events.

 Please feel free to reach out to me if you ever want to have a chat, for any questions, or if you’d like to give any feedback on our events!

 

Hi there! I'm Zaineb, currently immersed in the captivating world of Molecular Biotechnology as I pursue my MSc. My academic journey began at the University of Birmingham, where I ventured as an international student, eagerly embracing the diverse academic landscape for the past three years. This exciting journey culminated in the completion of my Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, where the intricacies of genetic engineering and molecular structures truly ignited my passion, especially during my engaging undergraduate research project.

Beyond the realms of molecular research, you might find me lost in the strokes of a paintbrush, exploring the vast realms of creative expression. And yes, you might be surprised, but my curiosity extends to the mystical too! I've recently embarked on a journey into the intriguing world of tarot reading, adding a touch of wonder to my scientific endeavors but mostly an ancient way to practice and cultivate empathy.

Alongside my academic pursuits, I've had the privilege of assuming the role of leading the Birmingham Black and Ethnic Minority in STEM society, fostering a vibrant sense of community and collaboration among my peers. This experience has deepened my understanding of the unique challenges faced by international students and ethnic minorities in academia. 
As a UGS scholar, I am thrilled to contribute to a dynamic and inclusive academic community. I strongly believe that open communication and a genuine appreciation for diversity are the cornerstones of creating enriching experiences for all. I wholeheartedly welcome any suggestions or feedback and I am dedicated to fostering a culture of understanding and support. Please feel free to reach out - I'm always up for engaging discussions and enthusiastic about building a diverse and vibrant academic network!

Looking forward to connecting with you and creating memorable experiences together!

Hi there! I’m Amy, a Master’s student studying Health Data Science. I’m from Birmingham and also completed my undergrad here in Medical Studies. I’m particularly interested in learning how we can use AI to revolutionise medical research down to the genomic level!

Outside of studying I love meeting new people and going to the gym. I drink a few too many coffees but I used to be a barista, so I like to consider it professional!

I'm excited to be contributing to our community and helping to make sure all PGT students have a fun, safe, and meaningful time here at UoB. Having grown up here, Birmingham has always been my home and I want to make sure everyone else feels at home here too. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you might have or just for a friendly chat!

Hello, my name is Marcello and I'm attending a one year Msc in Bioinformatics. Friends call me Marshmallow and so can you. Originally from Italy (Mamma mia a pizzeria!!!) I graduated in 2023 from the University of Reading with a Bsc in Microbiology.  As some amongst you, I just moved to Birmingham.

I have been enjoying cycling in the maze of canals the city has to ofter. I have enjoyed quite a few bouldering session and I am always for a cheeky midweek climb during the week. I have been practicing parkour for the past 7 years, so if you see a random guy jumping around campus thats probably me!  I have enjoyed my fair share of nights out in the city centre in some really good clubs and quite loved how colorful the city centre is.

Being an international student in Birmingham and having lived in the UK for 4 years, I'm aware of the obstacles we encounter when adapting to a new environment. I am very keen on helping out students settling in this salad bowl of cultures called United Kingdom.

I cannot wait to organise events for you guys, so we can create a wonderlfully well connected community that would allow to support us throughout the toughest periods of our degree by collaborating with the UGS team.