Meet the WiNUK Team
Founder
Elizabeth English 'Lizzie'
She/Her
Lizzie is a third-year PhD student at the University of Cambridge, characterising protein aggregates and their toxicity in Alzheimer's disease.
With a passion for science communication and equity, she established WiNUK to connect fellow women in neuroscience. Lizzie drives WiNUK to work together to catalyse change through facilitating conversations about gender bias and discrimination in scientific research and research cultures.
In her spare time, she enjoys engaging the public with science in person and on social media, and taking part in dance classes.
Advisor
Oluwatomi Akingbade'Tomi'
She/Her
Tomi is a third-year PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge, investigating inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases.
Tomi's passion for equality and representation in science led her to create the Black Women in Science (BWiS) Network in 2018: a global networking platform giving Black women opportunities to further their careers/interests in science.
Business Advisor
Charlotte Bell
She/Her
Charlotte is passionate about human performance and wants to empower and uplift those around her. She is excited to join WiNUK as a Business Strategy advisor, helping to expand its reach and impact. Charlotte holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Bath and began her career in Prime Brokerage at Morgan Stanley. After five years, she left to pursue her passion for human performance, focusing on better understanding the human brain. Charlotte graduated with an MSc in Psychology from the University of Hertfordshire as well as an MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience from University College London, where she explored the exciting impact of exercise on cognitive function and wellbeing. Charlotte now works as an applied cognitive neuroscientist, helping to transform the way adults learn new skills at the UK's largest Edtech company. Charlotte is also a passionate triathlete and coach for London Fields Triathlon Club, where is she is an advocate and supporter for women in sport. She looks forward to bringing her energy and passions to WiNUK.
People and Operations Team
Operations Lead
Amy Boyack
She/Her
Amy is a PhD student at Newcastle University studying the brain areas and pathways involved in decision making. Her commitment to equity and diversity drives her to foster an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive in neuroscience. Amy is thrilled to support WiNUK's mission by helping to expand their vibrant network of volunteers. She believes that the diverse backgrounds and experiences of these volunteers can inspire, connect, and advocate for women in neuroscience. When she's not delving into her research, Amy enjoys running, exploring new places, and taking long walks with her dog.
People and Operations Manager
Maria Elisa Vizvary
She/Her
Maria is currently starting a MRes in Brain Sciences at UCL, during which she will be broadening her knowledge hoping to dive further into research.
She has recently finished her undergraduate from in University of Nottingham during which she focused on brain connectivity and fell in love with research!
People & Onboarding Officer
Ruta Cakla
She/Her
People & Operations Executive
Niyati Desai
She/Her
Niyati is an undergraduate student studying neuroscience at the University of Bristol. She has an interest in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and is keen on translational research that bridges lab discoveries with real-world treatments. Niyati is passionate about advocating for women and promoting gender equity in STEM, so she is excited to be part of WiNUK, collaborating with like-minded people. Outside of academics, Niyati enjoys going for walks, playing tennis, and sewing.
People & Engagement Officer
Sofia Johnston
She/Her
Project Manager
Daisy Stringfellow
She/Her
Daisy is a BBSRC PhD student at the University of Nottingham. She has a particular interest in neuroinflammation and is currently studying neuroimmune changes in myotonic dystrophy and motor neurone disease. Through her experience in neuroscience, she appreciates the importance of advocacy and support for women in STEM fields. She is passionate about supporting education within and beyond the scientific community, about how important and amazing science is. She enjoys continuing this as a member of the WiNUK team.
Events Project Manager
Charlotte McGuinness
She/Her
Charlotte is a PhD student at the University of Southampton. Her research involves understanding the roles of microglia in chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. She focuses on a particular protein of interest shown to have significant association with AD but which is heavily underrepresented in the literature. Charlotte is excited to work alongside so many empowering women as Subteam Coordinator. She hopes to contribute to the supportive and welcoming WiNUK network, enabling women to thrive in scientific research and beyond.
Project Manager
Franziska Guenther
She/Her
Fran has a background in neurophysiology and currently leads a team at the Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, where her work focuses on identifying novel therapeutics for dementia treatment.
Between her academic career, she has worked in global innovation consulting, supporting research commercialisation and contributing to the development of policy frameworks to support innovation across various countries. She is excited about supporting WiNUK as a Project Manager and contributing to its mission.
Fran is passionate about supporting and empowering women in neuroscience and driving translational research, bridging the gap between lab discoveries and real-world impact.
Partnerships & Sponsorships Team
Partnership, Sponsorship & Grants Strategy Lead
Cheryl S. Peng
She/Her
Cheryl is a second-year PhD student in Criminology at the University of Cambridge, focusing on the diagnosis of psychopathic personality disorder in East Asian populations.
Cheryl is deeply committed to women’s rights and equity. She currently serves as Co-President of the Cambridge Femtech Society, UK Office Director of the NGO Asian Women Development Plan International (Avoice), and Women’s Welfare Officer at Churchill College, Cambridge. Beyond her advocacy work, Cheryl coordinates the Brain and Intelligence Science Alliance (BISA), where she collaborates with researchers from China, Australia, and Germany to advance neuroscience and behavioural science. She has also supervised students at Cambridge across diverse disciplines, including natural sciences, politics, psychology, and law.
Cheryl is especially passionate about fostering interdisciplinary exchange and promoting structural change within academic and scientific communities. With a strong commitment to decolonising research practices and amplifying underrepresented voices, she actively bridges gaps between disciplines, regions, and institutions. She is particularly enthusiastic about supporting young women scholars, and hopes to contribute to building a more inclusive, collaborative, and culturally responsive future in science and education.
Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys all kinds of combat sports especially mixed martial arts, and dances from different cultures.
Partnership, Sponsorship & Grants Manager
Evie Neylon
Partnerships & Sponsorships Officer
Grace Thompson
Partnership & Sponsorship Officer
Sarah Eastham
She/Her
Sarah is a first-year PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. With her educational background in neuroscience, Sarah aims to leverage both biological and engineering strategies to develop in vitro tissue analogues and reduce the use of animals in investigative research. Currently, her PhD focuses on mimicking blood-brain barrier function in vitro.
Grants Officer
Anushka Sarkar
She/Her
Anushka is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Biosciences, specializing in Neuroscience, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bangalore, India. She is working on brain-wide memory patterns and synaptic networks (in vitro and in vivo) using designed patterned substrates and flexible electrodes for her Masters thesis at Molecular Electronics Lab, Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, and Neurosciences Unit, JNCASR, Bangalore, India.
Her current interests lie in understanding how the brain achieves memory and how impairments lead to cognitive dysfunction and abnormal patterns of neuronal network activity that accompany several neurodegenerative disorders at systems level. Specifically, I am also interested in developing tools and looking into how the knowledge in long term memory consolidation and storage can be capitalized to implicate memory enhancement.
She loves neuroscience in all forms like an interdisciplinary, and believes in that same diversity in neuroscience community, hence she has joined WiNUK as a Grants Officer to support Neuroscience research and outreach further.
Academics apart, she likes to hike, do photography and read non-fiction.
Finance and Strategy Team
Finance Lead
Jess Woods
She/Her
Jess is currently studying MSc Cognitive Neuroimaing and Data Science at the University of Birmingham after completing her BSc Human Neuroscience degree there. Her dissertation project is using MRI data to investigate if there is a link between the glymphatic system, sleep quality, and cognitive decline.
Jess joined WiNUK because she is eager to raise more awareness about pursuing neuroscience degrees in younger generations. She hopes that in her role she can help do so, as well as make neuroscience more accessible to more people. Throughout her degrees, Jess played rugby and so is passionate about advocating for women in often male-dominated areas.
Impact Evaluation Team
Impact Evaluator
Isabella Tugulu
She/Her
Impact Evaluator
Freya Wardell
She/Her
Freya has previously completed a BSc in Psychology and is currently completing a MSc in Occupational and Organisational Psychology at the University of Surrey. She is particularly interested in investigating workplace accessibility for neurodivergent employees. Freya joined the WiNUK team as she is passionate about advocating for increased recognition of women and their achievements within this industry. She is excited to be working with like-minded women and building a supportive network. In her spare time, Freya enjoys staying active by going for walks and hikes, as well as doing yoga. She also enjoys relaxing with a good book.
Website Team
Website Officer: Analytics
Kendra Melville
She/Her
Kendra is an MSc student on the Translational Neuroscience programme at Imperial College London. She aspires to specialise in research surrounding neurodegenerative diseases and the seeding activities of different prion-like proteins such as tau, amyloid beta, and alpha-synuclein. She strives to contribute to research to help make a difference in people living with neurodegenerative diseases and to inspire young scientists to pursue neuroscience as their careers. In her free time, Kendra loves experimenting with new cooking and baking recipes and playing volleyball during the summer. Kendra is thrilled to have joined WiNUK and hopes to help in fulfilling its mission to inspire, connect, and advocate for women in neuroscience!
Website Officer: Design
Dorcas Cheung
She/Her
Dorcas is a 1st year PhD student at the Rosalind Franklin Institute. She is interested in using advanced imaging modalities and multiomic techniques to help understand the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disease. She is originally from Hong Kong and came to the UK to pursue her studies. The disparities in science and the workplace have never been so apparent until she started working. Hence, she hopes to bring her polymathic skillset to contribute to the wider women in neuroscience community and conduct inclusive research. Besides academics, she is also interested in graphic and user experience design. She also enjoys doing sports and staying active.
Graphics & Design Team
Design Lead
Ginevra Sperandio
She/Her
Ginevra is a 2nd year PhD candidate in Neuroscience, working between Germany and France as part of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions European Joint doctorate. Her research is conducted on huge longitudinal datasets, and is focused on the role of childhood abuses and maltreatments as predictors of chronic pain and mood disorders. She is a convinced feminist and joined the WiNUK as an International Outreach Officer. Her aim is to build an international network of young women committed to Neuroscience research to promote the equality in the field, fighting the gender gap in authorships and positions, and to support new generation of female scientists in pursuing the research career.
Graphics Creator: Social Media and Awareness
Georgina Savastano
'Georgie'
She/Her
Georgie is a Neuroscience graduate of the University of Oxford. Her final year research project focused on the contributions of molecular chaperones to selective neuronal vulnerability in Alzheimer’s disease.
Georgie is passionate about increasing the access of underrepresented groups to higher education and STEM, and strives to make science more accessible and inclusive. She now works for the University of Oxford as an Outreach and Admissions Officer.
Graphics Creator: Social Media and Awareness / Blog illustrator
Suzana Sultan
She/Her
Suzana is a final-year medical student hoping to pursue a Master’s degree in Neuroscience once she graduates. She is fascinated by neuroplasticity, particularly its applications in the fields of neuropsychology, neuropharmacology, and translational neuroscience. She is a junior academic researcher, has just published her first paper, with more than 6 other submitted papers to prestigious journals and a scientific illustrator blending her artistic skills with her passion for science.
At WiNUK, Suzana serves as a social media and Awareness Graphic Designer, where WiNUK’s inspire, connect, and advocate mission aligns with Suzana’s own ambition to simplify and mainstream the neurosciences. She is also a guest research blog writer and occasionally writes book reviews on some of her favorite readings.
Suzana believes in the power of being a ‘Jack of all trades’ by combining different fields into creative solutions. When she is not studying, researching, or illustrating, Suzana pursues her other talents in filmmaking, animating, fine art, piano playing, writes about clinical communication in her email newsletter ‘The Medicine of Words,’ and co-runs ‘Hands-On Papers,’ a peer-teaching initiative in research. She loves basketball, watching films, reading all sorts of books, and talking about them!
Blog Illustrator
Lilly Green
She/Her
Lilly is studying neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh. She is currently in the third year of her undergraduate degree, where she is particularly interested in neuropharmacology and also tutors science to younger students. Driven by a personal connection to the field, Lilly is keen to research and raise awareness of neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders, and hopes her passion for science communication will aid her in this
Merch/Logo Designer
Olena Shtoda
She/Her
Olena is a professional Graphic Designer with a deep commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. While not a neuroscientist, she has always been passionate about medicine, science, and neurodiversity. She advocates for reducing gender biases in science and making the world accessible in every sense of the word. Joining WiNUK as a Graphic Designer is both an honour and an opportunity for her to create designs that truly matter.
Core Graphics Creator
Saba Zahmat Keshan
She/Her
Saba has an academic background in neuroscience, with a particular focus on neurodegenerative diseases. After completing her undergraduate degree in neuroscience, she pursued a master’s in dementia research at UCL. Since then, she has been working as a research assistant at a patient-centred outcomes company, where she contributes to research that aims to improve healthcare treatments and decision-making for patients.
Core Graphics Creator
Ishika Joshi
She/Her
Ishika is a recent Neuroscience graduate from Keele University, with a keen interest in the cellular intersections of microglia, neuroinflammation, and brain repair. As a Graphics Creator for Women in Neuroscience UK and a dedicated advocate for equity in STEM, Ishika is passionate about amplifying the voices of women and underrepresented groups in science. She brings creativity, empathy, and a global perspective shaped by life in India, the Netherlands, and the UK. In her spare time, she enjoys crochet, playing guitar, and hiking. Ishika is driven by bold questions — and the belief that science should be both inclusive and impactful.
Core Graphics Creator
Eve Cottenden
She/Her
Eve is a BSc Neuroscience student at the University of Nottingham with a particular interest in clinical neuroscience and women’s health. Her laboratory work has included research using an animal model of schizophrenia and she hopes to apply these techniques to female-specific physiology and research in the future. Eve has joined as a core graphics creator for the Women in Neuroscience UK team and also contributes to the Neuropsychology of Women society as a co-president. Through her role at WiNUK, she aims to promote the representation of women in neuroscience research and support both current and aspiring female neuroscientists in academia and industry.
Core Graphics Creator
Ameesha Gehlot
She/Her
Ameesha is a third-year undergraduate Neuroscience student at the University of Southampton. She has strong interests in the research of neurological conditions, neuropharmacology and bioinformatics. She looks forward to learning more and exploring niche areas of Neuroscience during her degree and experiences in the future.
In her spare time, she enjoys experimenting with different mediums of art including painting, crocheting and sculpting. Her love for art and Neuroscience led to a passion for combining science and creativity.
As a Core Graphics Content Creator for WiNUK, Ameesha works as part of the Graphics Team to design inclusive, engaging visuals that help highlight the hard work of women in Neuroscience across different platforms. She is excited to contribute to Women in Neuroscience’s cause by helping create encouraging platforms for women in STEM and encourage future generations of Women in Neuroscience by making science more approachable.
Social Media Team
Social Media Lead
Rachel Grasmeder Allen
She/Her
Rachel is a final year BBSRC-funded PhD student at University of Nottingham. Her project aims to investigate hippocampal activity in cognition and behaviour, using in vivo models. She is a firm believer that science is, and should be, for everyone and hopes to help increase the diversity of people in science. She believes that we need to educate younger people early on about the opportunities that are available to them and encourage them to pursue degrees and careers in neuroscience. She also wants to help improve opportunities for women in neuroscience, particularly increasing the representation of women at the higher end of the ladder. She is passionate about science communication and public engagement, so joining WiNUK as Instagram admin seemed like the perfect fit. She is excited to be working with like-minded neuroscientists to promote equality in neuroscience and to help more women follow careers in neuroscience.
Senior Video Editor
Riya Verma
She/Her
Riya is a recent Neuroscience graduate from the University of Warwick, with a specific interest in the understanding and treatments of neurodevelopmental disorders as well as the clinical applications of neuroplasticity surrounding injury or trauma to the brain.
She joined WiNUK because of her passion to ensure that there is female equality across STEM careers and to create a greater awareness for studying neuroscience at higher education amongst young individuals. In addition, she is excited to part of the WiNUK community and to work amongst like-minded, empowering women of all different career paths and specialisms.
In her free time, she enjoys baking sweet treats for her family and friends and going on long walks listening to her favourite self-help podcasts.
Senior Content Strategist
Neave Smith
She/Her
Neave is a second year BBSRC-funded PhD student at the University of Nottingham. Neave's research is investigating the impact of pre- and post-natal opioid exposure on the development of pain systems. When entering her postgraduate studies, she noticed that there was a limited online presence for PhD students sharing their experiences. Neave is co-creator of the Tiktok channel @nottsneurogals, designed to share and actively promote a healthy work-life balance for PhD students. TikTok and other social media platforms are becoming a powerful tool for reaching a wide audience, in and outside of academia. Neave believes these platforms are essential for increasing exposure of underrepresented groups in science. She is excited to carry out her role as Content Strategist and Video editor to share the realities of life as a woman in neuroscience.
Core Content Creator
Amy Harrison
Video Creator
Melanie Lee
She/Her
Melanie is a second year pharmacology student at UCL, with an interest in studying pharmacological therapeutics in neurodegenerative disorders. She joined the WinUK social media team as a video creator as she is keen on integrating her passion in video editing with neuroscience, as well as promoting gender equality in STEM. Originally from Malaysia, she is excited to explore the advanced STEM field in the UK and meeting like-minded people. In her free time, she enjoys painting and journaling.
Social Media Content Creator: Educational content
Menessa Mundu
She/Her
Menessa Mundu holds a master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience from King’s College London and a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Her master’s dissertation investigated various factors influencing depressive symptoms, highlighting her interest in understanding complex mental health issues.
She has gained experience in medical writing and editing through internships, along with social media management and content creation. Menessa enjoys simplifying scientific and healthcare topics to make them accessible and engaging for a wider audience.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue bridging the gap between research and public understanding by combining her scientific background with creative communication. Menessa is particularly passionate about fostering awareness and inclusivity in neuroscience and healthcare.
Administrator: Bluesky & X
Kimberly "Kim" Cheam
She/Her
Kimberly is a second year MRC-DTP-funded PhD student at University of Cambridge. Her project aims to use stem-cell derived models to understand the biology of tau spreading and aggregation in diseases. She joined WiNUK to contribute to this fantastic platform to promote and encourage women to empower other women scientists to improve, develop and build connections amongst each other. As an international student, she would also like to use WiNUK to allow other international students studying and working in neuroscience within the UK to meet and discuss any issue that they might face. She hope to do this through the use of the Twitter-sphere and connect like-minded neuroscientists across the UK together.
Administrator: LinkedIn & Instagram
Emily Wilson
She/Her
Emily is a research assistant at The University of Birmingham. Her current work explores diagnosis techniques, sensory processing and language processing in Autism using MEG, OPM and MRI. She has a master's degree from The University of Birmingham where she studied Brain Imaging and Cognitive Neuroscience. She is interested in using neuroimaging techniques to research neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Her current focus is to explore autism spectrum disorder in children using neuroimaging techniques such as MEG, EEG, fMRI and OPM. As a first-generation woman in STEM, she understand the struggles and hardships women may face when entering neuroscience. Emily Joined WiNUK to meet and support other women and show that everyone is welcome in neuroscience, regardless of their background. She hopes to help create a safe space for women to ask questions and encourage the younger generation to pursue an exciting career in neuroscience.
Deputy Content Researcher
Marleigh Smith
She/Her
Marleigh is a second year BSc Neuroscience student at King's College London. Her main interests within the field are neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism. Additionally, she is interested in the intersection between women's health and neuroscience. Outside of her degree, Marleigh is the president of KCL's Womxn in Bioscience society, which aims to help womxn studying bioscience feel heard and included. Marleigh wanted to join WiNUK to contribute to creating a space for like-minding women wanting to advance their careers and engage with the other incredible women in this field! By being a content researcher for WiNUK, Marleigh hopes she can connect to others within this platform to help deliver relevant and thrilling content
Deputy Content Researcher
Marina Ramzy Mourid
She/Her
Marina is an MBBCh candidate at Alexandria University. She is an author, researcher, and medical writer with a primary focus on epilepsy, as reflected in her two related books. Additionally, she has a strong interest in neurodegenerative diseases and the use of artificial intelligence in this area. Marina aims to become a doctor-entrepreneur, finding both passion and business in writing books. Her goal is to globally raise awareness about neuroscience, emphasizing that knowledge is power in the field of medicine. Marina also loves connecting with people from different cultures and actively seeks research collaborations with individuals worldwide. She is delighted to be a Deputy Content Researcher at WINUK, where she looks forward to contributing to the success of this supportive and empowering platform for women in the neuroscience field worldwide
Head Content Researcher
Peehu Jain
She/Her
Peehu recently graduated and holds a MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Nottingham. Peehu has worked on several research projects such as using statistical tools to analyse EEG data to investigate visual memory and finding a relationship between post-stroke depression and cognitive impairment. Peehu has a strong interest in data analysis and hopes to use her skills for drug development or to build neuro-technology. As an international student she understands the difficulty in navigating a career in STEM as a woman and wants to help others build a career in neuroscience. Peehu realises the power of social media as a tool to make resources more accessible so she hopes to use her position as a Content Researcher to empower women within the field and inspire upcoming peers.
Core Content Creator
Anaxia Ulthayakumar
Core Content Creator: Blog focus
Ciara Lee
She/They
Ciara is an undergraduate student studying Neuroscience at Queen Mary, University of London. She began working with WiNUK as a guest writer in March 2025. Her articles are often inspired by her lived experience as a queer disabled individual in STEM. As a content creator, Ciara actually has her background in musical theatre, but is translating her skillset to her new passion, science communication.
Ciara is really passionate about making science accessible for all. Since the age of 17, she has been fostering enthusiasm for science in children and teenagers through her tutoring work. She hopes to continue doing this through content creation across platforms.
In-person Events Team
In-Person Events Coordinator
Becky Csöndör
She/Her
Becky is a PhD candidate working between University College London and the Rosalind Franklin Institute. Here, she aims to investigate the interplay between protein aggregation in dementia and synaptic dysfunction by developing novel workflows for correlative light and electron microscopy.Through joining WiNUK, Becky hopes to connect and collaborate with other talented scientists to create events that inspire women and girls to explore opportunities within neuroscience. With a passion for innovation and creativity alongside previous events management experience, she believes WiNUK is the perfect platform for utilising her skillset to promote inclusivity and equality across all disciplines within the neuroscience landscape.
Events Manager
Eleanor Jackson
She/They
Eleanor is a PhD candidate at the University of Sheffield studying serotonergic metabolism in ADHD, with the hope of identifying and developing new ADHD therapies.
As a researcher focusing on neurodiversity and a lifelong lover of science, Eleanor is committed to promoting and enhancing equity in STEM for all marginalised groups. She has previously worked in museums, running education and outreach, and in SEN schools, and is excited to bring those experiences into designing exciting, accessible events for the WiNUK community.
In her spare time, you can normally find Eleanor at a new museum exhibition or nose deep in an embroidery or crochet project, often science themed!
In-Person Events Deputy Coordinator
Sakaorna Jeyanathan
She/Her
Sakaorna is a third year PhD student at the University of Nottingham. Her project entails using neuroimaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualise novel biomarkers that have been postulated to alter in Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) such as Stroke and Traumatic brain Injury. Her key focus in on metabolism and the pathways affected by ABI such as excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. Sakaorna has joined WiNUK as she is deeply passionate about equality, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI), and is committed to creating a brighter and more welcoming future for underrepresented groups in neuroscience. She strives to inspire and empower individuals from all backgrounds to join the neuroscience community, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to the field. In her free time, Sakaorna loves to travel, go paddle-boarding in the summer and sometimes goes to the gym.
In-Person Events: Communication Liaison Officer
Tracy Chong
She/Her
Tracy is currently a third year BSc Neuroscience and Psychology student at King’s College London. She is particularly interested in computational neuroscience and neuroplasticity, with a current focus in improving algorithms for neuroimaging. Hoping to pursue a career in research and inspire people along this journey, she is thrilled to be part of WiNUK. She is deeply passionate in inspiring more girls and women to pursue neuroscience. Combined with her beliefs in gender equity in research, she aims to support WiNUK’s mission through organising fun and informative in-person events! In her free-time, she likes playing the guitar and belting out to musicals.
In-Person Events: Creativity and Engagement Officer
Shauna Angell
She/Her
Shauna is currently an MRes Translational Neuroscience student at UCL. She has a keen interest in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those affecting movement such as Parkinson's and Huntington's.
Shauna joined WiNUK as she is passionate about connecting and inspiring women in neuroscience, particularly other students from widening participation backgrounds. She hopes that increasing female representation will lead to more credible and inclusive research. In her spare time, Shauna enjoys yoga, live music and long walks with her cocker spaniel.
In-Person Events Creativity and Engagement Officer
Jaimee Kennedy
She/Her
In-Person Events: Communications Officer
Kirsty Donnachie
She/They
Kirsty is a Psychology MA and Brain Sciences MSc graduate from the University of Glasgow, investigating viral targeting of iPSC macrophages with the Spinal Cord Group.
She has a particular interest in translatable neuroscience, bringing research to real-world applications. Kirsty is keen to contribute to WiNUK’s mission to promote inclusivity in neuroscience, in both research spaces and patient outcomes.
In her spare time, she enjoys baking, pottery, and looking after her houseplants.
Virtual Events Team
Virtual Events Coordinator
Anwesha Chakraborty
She/Her
Anwesha is a research associate at CHBH, University of Birmingham. Her current work explores effort allocation, motivated cognitive control and the role of dopamine in learning. Anwesha completed her MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience from University of Nottingham where she explored age-related changes in in resting state MEG data across frequency bands. She joins the WiN Virtual Events Team to connect with a diverse and vibrant network of inspiring women dedicated to neuroscience. Being a strong advocate for women in science, she aims to empower and encourage more women to carve their niche in neuroscience and related fields.
Virtual Events Officer
Aarushi Vaidya
She/Her
Aarushi is a first year PhD student at the University of East Anglia. She is developing 2D and 3D models of holoprosencephaly (HPE) using human iPSCs. Aarushi is Neuroscience BSc (University of Nottingham) and Neuroscience and Translational Medicine MSc (Queen Mary University of London) graduate. Aarushi wants to raise awareness for Neuroscience related opportunities targeted for students and early researchers through WiN UK. She has strong experience in organising virtual Neuroscience events and collaborating with external speakers during her MSc degree.
Virtual Events Officer
Shloka Dhareshwar
She/Her
Shloka is a third-year undergraduate student in Neuroscience at Cardiff University. Her current interests revolve around speech pathology in neurodegenerative diseases. She aims to use her passion for communication and graphics in her roles.
Her primary goal in WiNUK is to provide exposure and opportunities to students in undergrad biosciences by planning and hosting talks or events that shed light on the clinical aspect of this subject. She is very much looking forward to getting mentored by every member of the team!
Virtual Events Officer
Sirjan Chhatwal
She/Her
Sirjan is a PhD student in neurosciences at the University of Wyoming, U.S.A. She is interested in investigating mechanisms underlying neuronal dysfunction, atrophy in systemic diseases that have manifestations in the visual system. With a keen interest in active clinical and translational neurobiological research, she is passionate about exploring the role of small-molecule based therapeutics for treating neuro ophthalmic disorders.
In addition, she is actively involved in communication of research outputs in science to both niche and lay audiences in an engaging manner. In her spare time she loves to travel, read science-fiction and go hiking. Having joined WiN UK, she is passionate about contributing towards reducing gender disparities in STEM and making science accessible.
Virtual Events Officer
Nada Salah
She/Her
Nada recently earned her BSc in Biomedical and Bioinformatics Engineering from Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology. She is interested in the computational aspect of neuroscience. Her current focus lies in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) where she has worked on several projects tackling neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Epilepsy. She aims to develop innovative models and enhance neurotechnologies to address neurological disorders. She is also dedicated to promoting women in STEM by organizing events and fostering collaboration within the neuroscience community. In her free time, she enjoys long walks, volleyball, and reading/drawing Manga!
Virtual Events Officer
Charlotte Qi
Virtual Events Promotion
Kimran Chahal
She/Her
Blog Team
Blog Coordinator & Blog Editor: Reviews
Rebecca Pope
She/Her
Rebecca is a final year Neuroscience PhD candidate at the University of Nottingham, investigating the inflammatory mechanisms involved in chronic pain. Rebecca has always been very keen to encourage, support and network with other women in STEM careers, and has been involved in outreach activities for several years, including participating in, and leading, a Neuroscience Pint of Science team in Nottingham. She is incredibly passionate about equality and the provision of support for anyone to pursue STEM, whether through mentorship or enthusing about science! She regularly interacts with neuroscience undergraduates and is enthusiastic about encouraging them to pursue a career in science. By working both as Blog Coordinator and Editor, Rebecca aims to ensure that Neuroscience is fun, interesting and more accessible for everyone.
Blog Editor: Research
Julia Dabrowska
She/Her
Julia is a current Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP student at the University of Oxford, with a focus on neuroscience. Her interests include memory, attention, neuropharmacology and psycholinguistics. Passionate about scientific writing and sharing her experiences, Julia also holds the position of Science Editor in her university newspaper, and likes to swim, row and travel in her free time.
Blog Editor: Reality
Lauren Wallis
She/Her
Lauren recently graduated from MSc Neuroscience at King's College London after completing a research project deciphering novel neuroprotective strategies for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Her interests include elucidating the pathological mechanisms behind the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, and developing novel therapeutic interventions. At present, Lauren is working as a Chief Science Communications and Engagement Officer at St George's University London.
After hearing about WiNUK, she applied for a position as Resident Blog Writer to develop her written communication skills, continue researching neuroscience topics, and connect with a community of like-minded science enthusiasts.
Resident Writer: Reviews
Alejandra Rebollar
She/Her
Floating Editor/Writer
Rachel Grasmeder Allen
She/Her
Rachel is a final year BBSRC-funded PhD student at University of Nottingham. Her project aims to investigate hippocampal activity in cognition and behaviour, using in vivo models. She is a firm believer that science is, and should be, for everyone and hopes to help increase the diversity of people in science. She believes that we need to educate younger people early on about the opportunities that are available to them and encourage them to pursue degrees and careers in neuroscience. She also wants to help improve opportunities for women in neuroscience, particularly increasing the representation of women at the higher end of the ladder. She is passionate about science communication and public engagement, so joining WiNUK as Instagram admin seemed like the perfect fit. She is excited to be working with like-minded neuroscientists to promote equality in neuroscience and to help more women follow careers in neuroscience.
Resident Writer: Reality
Riya Verma
She/Her
Riya is a recent Neuroscience graduate from the University of Warwick, with a specific interest in the understanding and treatments of neurodevelopmental disorders as well as the clinical applications of neuroplasticity surrounding injury or trauma to the brain.
She joined WiNUK because of her passion to ensure that there is female equality across STEM careers and to create a greater awareness for studying neuroscience at higher education amongst young individuals. In addition, she is excited to part of the WiNUK community and to work amongst like-minded, empowering women of all different career paths and specialisms.
In her free time, she enjoys baking sweet treats for her family and friends and going on long walks listening to her favourite self-help podcasts.
Resident Writer: Research
Freya Wardell
She/Her
Freya has previously completed a BSc in Psychology and is currently completing a MSc in Occupational and Organisational Psychology at the University of Surrey. She is particularly interested in investigating workplace accessibility for neurodivergent employees. Freya joined the WiNUK team as she is passionate about advocating for increased recognition of women and their achievements within this industry. She is excited to be working with like-minded women and building a supportive network. In her spare time, Freya enjoys staying active by going for walks and hikes, as well as doing yoga. She also enjoys relaxing with a good book.
Research Team
Research Co-Lead
Laura Piggott
Research Co-Lead
Ciara McCready
She/her
Ciara works in industry and has experience managing professional research studies and in NHS-funded clinical trials, developing a medical device for neurodevelopmental conditions. Ciara has a Masters from the University of Nottingham and is particularly interested in the manifestation of neurodevelopmental conditions in females and aims to conduct research that advocates for and supports neurodivergent individuals. Ciara is looking forward to a career in scientific research, currently working with researchers to demonstrate, measure, and communicate the broader impact of their research beyond academia, ensuring that findings have a meaningful and positive effect on society, policy and industry.
Past Volunteers
Abi Parsons
Ailie McWhinnie
Anna Margaret Jansson
Bethany Watkinson
Charlotte Qi
Courtney Hillman
Dr Emmanuelle Viré
Emily Breese
Giada Vanacore
Hannah Ginman-Makin
Karnika Gupta
Kristi Ulicna
Madina Abubaker
Maria Najafian
Monique Raranga
Rebecca Parker
Sona Seyidli
Yin Yuan
Abinayah John
Ananya Ramamurthy
Ayesha Sherif
Binuri Wijesinghe
Chloe Blackery
Dana Visnitchi
Dwaynica Greaves
Eva Borras
Grace Pennelli
Ivy Zhu
Katherine Mortimer
Lakshaa Srishankar
Mahnoor Khalid
Marleyna Zonde
Rachel McKeown
Sara Dannaoui
Storm Johnson
Adriana Zainurin
Ananya Shankar
Beth Hunt
Ceri Ngai
Cliodhna Hall
Devika Shenoy
Ellie Short
Gemma Deegan
Hana Ajeti
Izzy Ellis
Kerry Gregory
Love Onwuzuruike
Maria Fraser
Meg Marston
Rachel Sellick
Shevaniee Umamaheswaran
Ummulkhairi Ibrahim
If you're interested in getting involved, see our current vacancies here.
You can also join us as a member, or why don't you write for us on our blog.