Team:UEA-JIC Norwich/Team

From 2011.igem.org

• Jazz Clucas – I am a second year student studying Biological Sciences at UEA. I had never heard synthetic biology, until UEA and the John Innes Centre applied to compete in the iGEM competition. After attending a student synthetic biology symposium in Glasgow I found this new scientific field mind blowing and entering the iGEM competition was the perfect opportunity to take my interest further. As well as a dedicated scientist, I love playing and competing in sport and in particular equestrian sports.

• Ben Jevans – I’m in my second year of studying Biomedicine. I wanted to join iGEM because it seemed like a great opportunity to get some hands on experience in a real lab and learn some valuable skills that I’ll need for a future career in science. Outside of the grindstone I enjoy reading, writing and going out. I’m the joint WIKI manager, or WIKI manager A to avoid dispute. I work with Gurdeep to ensure our WIKI is far better to anyone who’s reading this.

• Gurdeep Dosanjh – I am currently in my second year at UEA, studying Biomedicine. I wanted to join the iGEM competition, as this gives me the chance to obtain some lab experience, and work with other team members to work on a project. This enables me to gain first-hand experience to a career as a scientist. Outside of the team, I have a keen interest in football, and organize a 5-aside football tournament on a weekly basis. I am joint wiki manager with Ben and ensure that the WIKI is update and is far more superior to any other teams.

• Kimberley Hirst-Jones – As a second year student studying Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia I was eager to join the new UEA/JIC iGEM team in order to gain some research experience as part of the exciting and ever growing iGEM competition. My role within the team as outreach co-ordinator will involve directing public engagement activities within the local community and implementing ideas relating to human practice.

• Abbie Savoy – I’m currently studying Biomedicine at UEA and I’ve just finished my second year. I was very keen to become a part of the iGEM team to gain experience in a research environment but also to win! I am responsible for the teams finance but am also enthusiastic to learn lots of new skills throughout the project. My hobbies include pole dancing, watersports and I have recently completed my first skydive.

• Mark Right – I am a second year chemistry student, at UEA. I got involved in the iGEM project mainly to enhance understood and develop new skills in the field of biology. I believe the experience and learning throughout iGEM will benefit me for the next year. As well as demonstrating my interest into the overlapping synoptic regions of biology and chemistry. My role in the iGEM team is joint lab manager, which consists of regulating lab equipment and ensuring good lab facilities and conditions. Also, I communicate with the rest of the team in organizing practical experiments and providing information for each experiment. In my spare time I enjoy rock climbing, gaming and socializing with friends and family.

• Mario De Piano – I am currently studying Molecular Biology and genetics at UEA. I have taken an early interest into genetics I decided that the iGEM project would benefit me for future aspirations. The opportunity to be able to work with other people and conjure up an independent experiment should help me elicit skills that are essential and beneficial, as well as having an enjoyable time over the summer with fellow co-workers. Outside the lab and schooling I enjoy various activities such as football, rock-climbing, badminton and spending time with my family and going out with friends on a regular basis. My role in the team is as a lab manager, where I will collaborate with the team and other resources to gather equipment needed for the team as well as helping with the planning of procedures so that the team is ready for the experiments on a day-to-day basis.

• Ben Hardy - I'm one of the undergraduate students from UEA and am in my second year studying biochemistry. I'm enthusiastic about iGEM because it's open ended and we as a team get to choose our project and its development. My specific role in the team is administrator, which involves a range of general organisational tasks, including our team travel plans and meeting notes.

• Alistair Walsham – I am a second year undergraduate studying Biological Sciences at UEA. My particular interests are in cell and microbiology with specific interests in different types of pathogen and how they cause disease. I decided to participate in iGEM as it seemed such a fantastic opportunity to experience research, and to have an input in what we investigate rather than being told what to do in other summer placements. Outside of science, I like to play badminton and also enjoy playing on my Xbox 360. My role in the team is the PR, which involves promoting the team and also being a point of contact for anyone who wants to know how we are getting along. To finish, an interesting fact about myself is that I am related to Geoff Capes, the former double winner of the World’s Strongest Man.