Genetics Society: Associate Officer

Hi everyone! I’m Katarina Dou, a second-year Biological Sciences student specialising in Cell and Developmental Biology. I’m really excited to be standing for the role of Associate Officer because the Genetics Society has given me some really valuable and memorable experiences, and I’d love to be part of creating more of those moments. 

I’ve recently been helping out as the interim Associate Officer, which has given me a chance to support events and get more involved in the community, and it has made me even more excited to continue in a more official role. As an Associate Officer, I’ll assist with organizing a range of events, from lab visits to relaxed social gatherings. I’d love to help arrange tours across diverse research areas, giving members the chance to explore topics from genetics in cancer biology to computational genomics beyond the lecture halls. I’m always happy to jump in wherever needed, whether that’s with planning, publicity, or lending a hand on the day. I strive to create an inclusive and welcoming space where everyone feels valued and motivated to participate. I’m looking forward to playing a hands-on role in helping deliver events that are engaging, supportive, and enjoyable for all.

I’m genuinely excited to be more involved and help create opportunities for members to learn, connect, and have fun throughout the year！

I am highly motivated to stand for Social Media Officer, because I am passionate about genetics and science communication. Social media is crucial for the UCL Genetic Society, not just for advertising, but for building an engaging and inclusive community. I aim to use these platforms to ensure all likeminded individuals have the opportunity to engage with and benefit from our events and shared interests.

I will bring content creation and organisation skills to the Genetic society. Previously, in the secondary student council, I have created posters for school events like International Day and Girls' Night In, using Canva for attractive branding. I have familiarised myself with video editing tools, through editing interviews for the school instagram and frequently posting my own vlogs. These experiences allowed me to gain a consistent understanding of audience engagement and content flow

As Social Media Officer, I will ensure our content is not only informative but also engaging. I plan to expand our media formats beyond image posts, introducing short reels and videos. My goal is to increase overall follower engagement and ensure a visual pleasing and professional online presence that highlights UCL Genetic Society’s values