EDI Contacts

Contacts for the EDI subcommittee and EDI student reps.

EDI subcommittee

Following the DTP mid-term review and in line with feedback received by our shareholders in 2022, we have set up an EDI subcommittee that will be in charge of our EDI plan and priority actions.

The EDI Committee will review the EastBio EDI Statement and priority actions annually and seek regular input from our students and supervisors.

EastBio EDI Reps

EastBio Doctoral Training Partnership

Contact details

EastBio EDI Statement

EastBio EDI Statement.docx (113.5 KB)

Committee members

Chair

Dr Thomas Otto 

St Andrews

Deputy Chair

Toni Dismore 

SRUC

Officer

Dr Maria Filippakopoulou 

DTP Manager, Edinburgh

Lead Student rep 
Deputy Student reps

Marta Chronowska, Edinburgh 

Lara Dasar, Aberdeen

Emily Fields, Edinburgh

Robyn Greene, Edinburgh

Irina Guliaeva , Aberdeen

Amelia Newton, St Andrews

Hope Obasi, Dundee

Melissa Ramsay, St Andrews

Alastair Somerville, Edinburgh

EDI Student reps

You can approach any of our student reps to discuss a concern, make a suggestion for an informal meetup, or share an initiative you are involved with at your local institution.

Jack Horne

Project title

Assessing microbiome functional traits as indicators of soil health for sustainable agriculture

Personal note

Hi everyone! I’m Jack (he/him) and I’m based in Professor Christine Watson’s lab up at SRUC Aberdeen. I’m extremely excited to be working into the metagenomics of soil, particularly investigating the functional genes involved in the nitrogen cycle, and how differing chemical management regimes have altered the microbiome composition. Previously, I graduated from the University of Aberdeen, and during my time there I worked on a research project involving the microbial respiration in soil along a pH gradient and different crops, while also analysing the impact of shifting the entire field to a new location – I even got to present at the EGU General Assembly for this. I have also volunteered as the Disabilities Liaison Officer and COVID Officer at CASE ABDN during my third year of study, where I received enhanced training for EDI, and I also underwent training from R**e Crisis Grampian for Crisis Response. It was this role that inspired me to return to contributing towards EDI, and I’m excited to help make our institutions and programme a more inclusive place!

Marta Chronowska

Personal Note

I was attracted to becoming an EastBio EDI rep as I am passionate about creating a more inclusive and equitable academic community. The EDI subcommittee’s role in shaping EastBio’s EDI plan inspires me, and I’d love to contribute to this meaningful work.

As a student representative, my goal would be to ensure every student’s voice is heard. I want to connect with my peers, listen to their experiences, and bring their perspectives to the subcommittee to help shape policies that foster belonging. I’m eager to propose actionable ideas that promote fairness and opportunity for all. With a collaborative approach and a commitment to open dialogue, I’d like to work to bridge the gap between students and supervisors, ensuring our EDI efforts are both inclusive and effective.

In essence, I have personally always felt incredibly supported by the this community, and I would like to contribute to the continued efforts to give the same positive experience to all: make EastBio a place where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.

Recommended Resource

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Melissa Ramsay

Personal note

I wanted to become an EastBio EDI rep in order to support and represent our cohort, develop the EDI strategy and help to ensure that EastBio remains an inclusive, diverse and vibrant programme for everyone. We are living through difficult times and must acknowledge that those of us from marginalised and underrepresented groups do not always have the same experiences and opportunities as others, and I strongly wish to be part of the solution. As an EDI rep, I hope that everyone will feel safe and comfortable speaking to me about any problems they have faced, and know that I will always do my best to help and foster a supportive environment; highlight the problems, experiences and suggestions of the whole student cohort; and celebrate our differences. 

Recommended Resource

Breathing Space offer a range of services to support with stress and mental health for people in Scotland, including information and a confidential phone line (0800 838 587). You can make a request regarding the gender of the advisor you speak to and they also offer services in other languages, including BSL. 

www.breathingspace.scot

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