A Q&A with our 2024 student leavers

We asked four of our 2024 leavers some questions about their time in Oxford and their plans for the future. 

What have you enjoyed most about studying?

Khalil: The field course in second year was definitely my favourite part of studying biology at Oxford. The opportunity to travel to Tanzania to learn about large carnivore conservation was an unforgettable experience.

Jigyasa: I’ve really enjoyed the breadth of topics I’ve been able to cover. I’ve always had a broad interest from cells to whole ecosystems, so the course has been perfect for me.

Dimitra: I found the tutorial system very effective and beneficial, and really liked that I could delve deeper into a topic and discuss it with an expert. I also really enjoyed the research project and learning how to be independent and convey complex information in a simple way.

Nell: Being able to follow your interests – as far as you want. The joy of Oxford is that we're taught by the people doing the research, so if I'm interested in a certain topic, I've been able to have a chat with the lecturer and explore it further. That might lead to recommendations for other papers to read, or even a fourth-year project if you're really interested!

What are the most useful skills you’ve learned or biggest takeaways?

Khalil: Tutorials across my first three years drastically improved my ability to collate, extract, and synthesise large volumes of information to form a coherent argument. Having to defend an argument or convey complex ideas in a tutorial really improved my scientific communication skills in both a written and verbal context.

Jigyasa: The biggest skill I learnt has undoubtedly been independent research skills and lab skills in the fourth year. Furthermore, critical thinking skills to critique scientific work has been eye-opening.

Dimitra: Critical thinking, scientific writing, coding, wet lab skills, independent thinking, presentation skills, and conveying complex information in a simple way.

Nell: The biggest things I've gained from the course are two things that go hand in hand – critical thinking, and more confidence in my ability as a scientist. At first, I could never imagine having an opinion on science because I didn't think I was qualified to criticise anything. Now I feel confident in my understanding of "good science" and I'm able to read things through a critical lens and make my own mind up about research.

What did you do for your fourth-year project?

Khalil: For my fourth-year project I studied female aggression and male peacekeeping in cichlid fish. Designing and carrying out the project was the most challenging but fun part of my biology degree, so I’m really glad I stayed on for fourth year.

Jigyasa: I completed my fourth-year project in the lab. My project was studying a human cancer by introducing the mutation into yeast as a model organism.

Dimitra: My fourth-year project was on the transcriptional and phenotypic signature of human regulatory B cells. It involved a computational and wet lab characterisation of the cells. The field is quite contentious, so their study is quite challenging, but this allowed me to develop critical skills and develop my own ideas.

Nell: I looked at England's new Biodiversity Net Gain policy and how it might (not) contribute towards the Lawton Principles of nature recovery. 

What are your upcoming plans?

Khalil: I’m planning to work in the charity sector, specifically in mental health.

Jigyasa: I’ve been offered a position in the civil service in science policy. I’ve also been offered a lab position! I will continue to work in a science-adjacent job and use the skills from my degree.

Dimitra: I will be doing an internship with my fourth-year lab group and will then move to a biotech company to work on cancer immunotherapies. I am planning on applying to PhDs in the following year!

Nell: After I've finished this summer working as a research assistant in my lab group, I'm exploring my options! I'm really hoping to work in conservation policy, so keeping my eyes peeled for opportunities. I've also been awarded a Churchill Fellowship – so next March I'll be moving to Japan for two months to explore attitudes and perceptions towards nature there!