Meet the Committee

Marcus (IQB3, CEB) has been a member of the BioDocSoc since 2021, leading events focussed on innovation, commercialisation and career development. His research focuses on novel RNA therapeutics and RNA polymerases in the lab of Prof. Susan Rosser, and her regularly interacts with Edinburgh Innovations as part of his role. He completed his PhD in conjunction with Ingenza Ltd. developing the tools for CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in Bacillus sp. During his PhD, Marcus spent 3 months at TIBCAS in Tianjin, China, forging scientific collaborations. Marcus is also a member of the SBS Industrial Engagement Committee.

Christine (IQB3, CEB) uses Engineering Biology approaches to develop safe microbial systems for production of valuable chemicals, enzymes, and intelligent biomaterials. She has collaborated with industry, is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, initiated ‘SBS Postdocs’ on Teams, was an active SULSA ECR representative, represented postdocs across a range of committees and working groups.

From 2021 to 2026, Christine relaunched and steered the strategic direction of the BioDocSoc Committee for which she completed Leadership Training through the Institute for Academic Development (IAD). Christine recruited members of the committee to act as advocates and take responsibility for championing a range of PDRA interests including wellbeing, innovation, teaching, outreach, researcher development, and equality, diversity and inclusion. This team has organised numerous events to support postdocs and their roles have facilitated consultation and collaboration with working groups across the School, University, and country.

In this leadership role Christine committed to knowledge exchange with working groups that support positive research cultures including the CSE PDRA Forum, the IAD Network for Postdoc Society Organisers, and other postdoc societies across the University. Since 2021, the BioDocSoc has been awarded a ‘Team Effort, Contribution or Achievement’ SBS Award (2022), a ‘Special Contribution’ SBS Postdoc Recognition Award (2023), and a CSE Staff Experience Award (2024).

Aidan is a PDRA within Sarah Reece's research group based in the Institute of Ecology and Evolution. He aims to understand the roles biological rhythms have in shaping infection outcomes and researches the rhythms of mammalian hosts, malaria parasites and the mosquito vector. Aidan and colleagues have also lead a funded outreach project "The Reece Lab On Tour" where they have used their research skills to help primary school pupils experience being a scientist and improve teachers’ confidence with STEM, particularly in rural schools with less access to universities or scientists.

Annegret (IQB3, CEB) has a broad research background in Plant Biology, Microbiology and Synthetic Biology and is currently working in the Horsfall lab on recovering and upcycling metals from waste sources with the help of microbes. Annegret supports MSc and undergraduate programmes at the School of Biological Sciences through her teaching secondment. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and particularly interested in research-and student-led teaching approaches.

Claire (IEE) is a molecular microbial ecologist and postdoc in Thorunn Helgason’s group, studying plant-soil-microbe interactions. Her research explores how soil microbial interactions influence plant performance and nutrient cycling, with the aim of improving sustainable agriculture, food security, and healthy soil ecosystems. As wellbeing advocate, Claire supports colleagues with their health and wellbeing.

Hollie has expertise in yeast molecular biology. She completed her Doctoral training in budding yeast epigenetics before starting her first postdoctoral role developing novel yeast strains for the brewing industry. Since 2021 she has worked in Adele Marston’s group (Centre for Cell Biology, ICB) as a Postdoctoral Research Associate, examining how cohesin organises chromosomes in fission yeast.  She is a former member of the UoE Senate and currently sits on the UoE Concordat Implementation group.

Jenny (IIIR) Is the current Director of Career Development and a Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Immunology & Infection Research,  where she researches sex differences in innate immunity and ageing. She studied and worked in London (UCL), Lisbon (IMM) and Cologne (Max Planck Biology of Ageing), before starting her group at the University of Edinburgh in 2017. As well as leading a research group, Jenny teaches undergraduates, and works at various levels to improve Research Cultures within SBS.

Lindsey is the Head of PGR Programme Administration and Student Experience within Biological Sciences and Chairs the School’s Training and Development working group. She sits on the BioDocSoc committee to provides advice on a range of professional services matters, helping to connect postdocs with key staff across the institution.

Rashidatu (IEE) is a Newton International Fellow and Postdoctoral Research Associate in Darren Obbard's group. She is an evolutionary geneticist and ecotoxicologist who uses Drosophila melanogaster to investigate how chronic environmental exposures reshape host biology, population dynamics, and vulnerability to infectious disease. Her current work focuses on curating endogenous viral elements (EVEs) across Drosophilidae and building an open‑access EVE pipeline with public engagement resources. She is passionate about translating complex science into accessible resources through her initiatives Droso4Nigeria and BloSTEMEI.

Sanjana (IEE) is a PDRA in Hannah Froy’s research group. Sanjana is an evolutionary ecologist interested in life history evolution, ageing and long-term animal population studies.

Selin is a cell biologist and postdoc in the Cheerambathur lab. She is currently investigating the mechanisms regulating actin dynamics during neuronal development. She is also part of the School’s EDI advisory group.

Sophie (IMPS) is a PDRA in Alistair McCormick's research group, where she is working to improve photosynthetic efficiency in plants by introducing components from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Prior to coming to Edinburgh, Sophie interned at The Royal Society, working within their publishing team on a variety of initiatives including promoting open science practices, increasing ECR engagement, and helping authors share their work through blogs and social media.