Genetics Society: Academic Events Officer

I’m Sydney, a first-year Biomedical Sciences student with leadership expertise and a love for genetics that was ‘switched on’ before I came to UCL, but it was ‘upregulated’ by GenSoc’s academic events.

Acting like a promoter region enhancing expression, I organised academic events as President of my school’s flagship science society: arranging rehearsals, talks, feedback sessions, organising the science magazine, competitions and overseeing other science societies. This experience equips me not only to coordinate engaging events but also to offer new ideas. So, if elected, I would introduce termly forms to tailor talks to members’ favourite topics, publish an annual magazine summarising events, and organise student-led presentations.

Before this ‘upregulation’, my interest arose while researching a talk on PCSK9 inhibitors, where I explored how siRNA, ASOs, CRISPR could optimise treatment for statin-resistant patients. This marked the start of my journey in genetics, where I began to see it not just as textbook knowledge but as a field driving innovative therapies. However, by attending GenSoc’s academic events, I also came to see genetics as a collaborative, real-world scientific community. As Academic Events Officer, I hope to inspire members just as these events have shaped my own journey.

I would be absolutely delighted to help organise academic events for arguably the best society at UCL, although it may be subject to my frequent bad genetics jokes. 

I’m standing for Academic Officer because I’m genuinely interested in genetics and the rapid advances happening in areas such as anti-ageing research, gene editing, genomics, and personalised medicine. As a Biomedical Sciences student, I’m particularly interested in how the concepts we learn in lectures connect to research and emerging applications in medicine and biotechnology.

The Genetics Society already runs a range of great academic activities such as journal clubs, lab visits, debates, and keynote talks. If elected, I would love to help build on these by organising additional opportunities for students to interact with researchers and professionals in the field. This could include sessions where PhD students or industry professionals briefly share their work and experiences, as well as discussions on emerging topics in genetics and biotechnology, could help make research more approachable and allow students to explore different career paths within the field.

I also have experience organising two large-scale events during high school as Head of Student Ambassadors, both involving over 400 participants. This experience helped me to develop strong organisational and teamwork skills, which I would bring to help create engaging, well-organised academic events for the society.

Hii everyone! 🙋‍♀️ I'm Caryn, a second-year Applied Medical Sciences student passionate about making Genetics Society engaging, helpful, and relevant to many students. As Academic Events Officer, I would build on GenSoc’s current strong programme of journal clubs, external speaker seminars, lab visits, and career conferences while also expanding to host new events such as: 

• More internship panels
• Discussions on non-traditional careers in genetics
• Networking sessions with researchers and industry professionals
•  Practical workshops on CV building, LinkedIn, and applying for research positions
• etc!

I would also love to introduce interactive and social events like a genetics society - social night with games or food to bring members together and allow them to explore new connections and discussions. Ultimately, my goal is to create events that not only highlight exciting developments in genetics but also give students practical insights, connections, and confidence as they explore their own paths in science. 

Vote for me! 🧬

Hi everyone, my name is Katarina Dou and I am running for Academic Events Officer for GenSoc in the upcoming academic year!

I’m a 2nd year MSci Biological Sciences: Cell & Development student and have been part of GenSoc for two years.

As Academic Events Officer, I want to make GenSoc a place where students can engage with cutting-edge genetics research and feel inspired by the work happening within our university and across the wider field.

My goal is to organise events that are not only informative but genuinely engaging and accessible for all students, whether they are first-years discovering genetics or final-year students considering research careers.

If elected, I would invite a diverse range of speakers, including leading academics from different areas of genetics as well as scientists working in industry such as biotech and pharmaceutical research. I would also encourage interactive elements such as Q&A sessions and informal discussions so students feel comfortable engaging with researchers.

I would also like to collaborate with other STEM societies to organise interdisciplinary talks on topics like bioinformatics, medical genetics, and biotechnology, helping students explore how genetics connects with other fields.

I am passionate about genetics and about connecting students with the researchers driving the field forward. If elected, I will work to make GenSoc’s academic events engaging, inspiring, and valuable for all members.