Our people
The Queen Mary community includes amazing people doing vital work in all parts of the University. These profiles showcase just a few of them.
Tanya Klymenko, Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
2 March 2026
Meet Tanya Klymenko, Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences. Post Climate Action Week, that took place between 23-27 February, Tanya Klymenko tells us about her role in biomedical sciences, how her work aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and Strategy 2030.
Thiago Jesus, Lead for Indigenous Exchange and Climate Action at People’s Palace Projects
11 February 2026
Meet Thiago Jesus, PhD candidate and Lead for Indigenous Exchange and Climate Action at People’s Palace Projects. During Climate Action Week 2026, Thiago will join a panel reflecting on COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and host a virtual reality experience highlighting the role of Indigenous territories in addressing climate change in the Amazon.
Anna Pathrose, HR Operations Assistant
22 January 2026
Meet Anna Pathrose, HR Operations Assistant. In this profile Anna tells us about receiving a distinction for her MSc in International Human Resource Management at Queen Mary, her aspirations for the future, and her advice for international students studying with Queen Mary.
Lori Cox, Frontline Services Manager, Advice and Counselling Service
8 December 2025
Meet Lori Cox, Frontline Services Manager, Advice and Counselling Service. In this profile Lori tells us about their 35 years working at Queen Mary, her work on AskQM, and their top tips for students on managing their wellbeing during their time at university.
Dr Aisha Abuelmaatti, Senior Lecturer/Academic Head for the Centre of Excellence in AI in Education
26 November 2025
Meet Dr Aisha Abuelmaatti, Senior Lecturer/Academic Head for the Centre of Excellence in AI in Education – Queen Mary Academy / Director of Employability – School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. In this profile Aisha tells us about several key projects they are working on including the Executive AI Education programme, the importance of her work in AI for Strategy 2030, and her recommendation of the Pathways to Leadership programme at Queen Mary.
Simon Barlow, Residential Marketing and Communications Manager
28 October 2025
Meet Simon Barlow, Residential Marketing and Communications Manager. In this profile Simon tells us about his 25 years at Queen Mary, his reflections on the AskQM project, and the role he plays in providing our new students with a home away from home and supporting them to feel connected with a community.
Tracey Paradise, Residential Welfare Manager
28 October 2025
Meet Tracey Paradise, Residential Welfare Manager. In this profile Tracey tells us about her 25 years at Queen Mary, her role in developing a programme of weekly drop-in sessions across our halls and how proud she is of Queen Mary’s achievements as a born and bred East Ender.
Postdoc edition: Dr Avinaash V. Maharaj and Dr Charlotte Johann
16 September 2025
Queen Mary is celebrating our postdocs and the contributions they make to research, impact, and culture during National Postdoc Appreciation Week, which runs between 15-19 September.
In this special edition, we asked colleagues, Dr Avinaash V. Maharaj and Dr Charlotte Johann to share their experience of being a postdoctoral researcher at Queen Mary.
Dr Dimitris Kalogiros, Lecturer in Data Science | Academic Advice Champion | Director of Student Experience in Degree Apprenticeship Programmes | Author of “Αγαπήχημα”
Meet Dr Dimitris Kalogiros, Lecturer in Data Science. In this profile Dimitris tells us about his role as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and trained Mental Health First Aider, winning ‘Academic Advice Champion’ award and presenting at the Advance HE Teaching and Learning Conference in Sheffield.
Anna Semmens, Director of Library Services
11 August 2025
Meet Anna Semmens, Director of Library Services. In this profile Anna tells us about her priorities as she starts her new role as Director of Library Services, her role in helping the University achieve its Strategy 2030 and more about her favourite places to visit at our Queen Mary libraries.
Professor Catherine Molyneux, Deputy Dean of Education, Institute Of Health Sciences Education
28 July 2025
Meet Professor Catherine Molyneux, Deputy Dean of Education, Institute Of Health Sciences Education. In this profile Catherine tells us about setting up new medical school in Malta, this year’s graduating class key role in the national vaccination effort, administering over 20,000 COVID-19 vaccinations to the population of Gozo, and more about the setup of the Malta campus.
Mx Adam Khan, MA International Relations Student and QMSU/BLSA Trans Rep
12 June 2025
Meet Mx Adam Khan, MA International Relations Student and QMSU/BLSA Trans Representative. In this profile Adam tells us about being shortlisted as a finalist in The 2025 Queer Student Awards, what Pride Month means to them, and about getting involved with student groups and campaigns.
Suzanne Mason, Health and Safety Adviser (FMD) | Physical and Mental Health First Aid Instructor | Clinical Waste Lead
Meet Suzanne Mason, Health and Safety Adviser (FMD), Physical and Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Clinical Waste Lead. In this profile Suzanne tells us about her work with training Mental Health First Aiders, what Mental Health Awareness Week means to her, and her work on reducing the amount of clinical waste that goes for high temperature incineration.
Mark Whelan, Research Culture Manager
17 April 2025
Meet Mark Whelan, Research Culture Manager. In this profile Mark tells us about his work leading the central research culture team, the Carers’ Career Development Fund, and about a forthcoming research culture event open to all PGRs and staff in early May.
Julita Inca Chiroque, Research Community Lead
25 March 2025
Meet Julita Inca Chiroque, Research Community Lead in the ITS-Research team. In this profile Julita tells us about their work in High Performance Computing, tells us what Women’s History Month (taking place this month) means to her, and about Speaking Practice courses and Postgraduate training for writing skills available at Queen Mary.
Netti Neilinn, Process Improvement Analyst
11 March 2025
Meet Netti Neilinn, Process Improvement Analyst. In this profile Netti tells us about the Process and Service Improvement project, its role in helping the University achieve its Strategy 2030, and about how to get involved in the Process Improvement Community of Practice.
Andra le Roux-Kemp, Chair of the Queen Mary Ethics of Research Committee
27 February 2025
Meet Andra le Roux-Kemp, Chair of the Queen Mary Ethics of Research Committee. In this profile Andra tells us about what inspired them to take on this role, the biggest challenges for research ethics, and their role in Strategy 2030 to act with the highest ethical standards which aligns their own personal and professional ethos.
Frank Zielhorst, Head of Music Engagement
18 February 2025
Meet Frank Zielhorst, Head of Music Engagement. In this profile Frank tells us about the first ever Queen Mary Music Festival, the QMBL (Queen Mary and Barts of London) Orchestra and Queen Mary (QM) Choir, as well as the Sound of Ground event that takes place every Wednesday afternoon.
Alex Prestage, Associate Director of Culture and Inclusion
9 January 2025
Meet Alex Prestage, Associate Director of Culture and Inclusion. In this profile Alex tells us about his promotion, developing the University’s vision and roadmap as we work to become the most inclusive university of our kind by 2030, and strengthening our equal opportunities data within MyHR.
Audrey Tan, Head of Public Engagement
8 October 2024
Meet Audrey Tan, Head of Public Engagement. In this profile Audrey tells us about Centre for Public Engagement's (CPE) three grant schemes, how their work ties in directly to the two core arms of Strategy 2030 and about receiving an Advance Higher Education (Advance HE) Associate Fellowship.
Postdoc edition: Dr Alena Vdovchenko, Dr Christopher Archibald, Dr Yasmin Al-Sayed
Alex Brown, Arts and Culture Manager
5 August 2024
Meet Alex Brown, Arts and Culture Manager. In his profile Alex tells us about launching the new QM Centre for Creative Collaboration, their work with the BLOC media space and introduces us to the Arts and Culture team.
Dr Jo Trelfa, Academic Practice and Enhancement Manager
2 July 2024
Meet Dr Jo Trelfa, Academic Practice and Enhancement Manager based in the Queen Mary Academy. Jo has recently been recognised as a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA).
Anjana Nair, Senior Communications Officer (Research)
20 March 2024
Meet Anjana Nair, Senior Communications Officer (Research) in the Doctoral College. In her profile she tells us about her work supporting postgraduate researchers (PGRs), including the Summer Training Research Initiative to Support Diversity and Equality (STRIDE) programme, which is committed to advancing diversity and equality within the academic fabric of Queen Mary.
Dr Jonathan Kennedy, Reader in Politics and Global Health
29 February 2024
Meet Dr Jonathan Kennedy, a Reader based in the Wolfson Institute of Population Health. He is also a Queen Mary Academy Fellow, and tells us about his project looking at virtual international exchanges helping students in different locations learn together. Don't miss Jonathan's session at the upcoming Festival of Education (6-7 March).
Professor Nigel Spencer, Professor for Education Innovation and Professional Practice
16 January 2024
Nigel Spencer is Professor for Education Innovation and Professional Practice in the School of Law. He talks to us about broadening Queen Mary’s executive education offering and leadership development. Nigel has recently launched one of Queen Mary’s flagship specialisations on Coursera – Leadership Out Of The Box – which is now available to all staff and students.
Oluwatobi Ajala, Sustainability and Energy Manager
13 November 2023
Meet Oluwatobi Ajala, Queen Mary’s Sustainability and Energy Manager in the Sustainability team. In their profile, they tell us about Sustainability Week, give their top tips on how to be more sustainable, and about how to get involved in the canal clean up and allotment activities.
Nouh Salibo, Medical Genetics student
17 October 2022
Meet Nouh Salibo, a Medical Genetics student in his second year at Queen Mary. He talks to us about entering the Hult Prize and starting his own business, and shares his top tips for new students on how to make the most of their time at University.
Dr Usman Naeem, Senior Lecturer, School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science
4 August 2022
Dr Usman Naeem is Senior Lecturer in the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, and joins the Queen Mary Academy as a Fellow in 2022. In this profile, Usman talks about supporting students in recognising their personal growth, the importance of projects in the curriculum, and the therapeutic properties of Lego.
Manraj Singh Gharial, second-year medical student, Queen Mary Malta
28 April 2022
Manraj Singh Gharial is a second-year medical student at Queen Mary Malta. In his profile, Manraj tells us about getting his place at Queen Mary in Clearing, adjusting to life in Gozo, and what he does in his spare time.
Kristee Devi Bhuruth, IT Campus Customer Support Officer, IT Services
7 March 2022
Kristee Devi Bhuruth is an IT Campus Customer Support Officer in IT Services. In her profile, Kristee tells us about working as a woman in IT, her strong female role models, and gives her advice to women thinking about a career in technology.
Ella Rice, Product Owner, IT Services
20 January 2022
Ella Rice is a Product Owner in IT Services. In her profile, Ella discusses how she herself benefited from using LinkedIn Learning in her career progression, her favourite places on campus, and what it is like to be the world's worst DJ.
Dr Aoife Monks, Queen Mary Arts and Culture Academic Lead
16 November 2021
Dr Aoife Monks is Queen Mary's Arts and Culture Academic Lead. In her profile she tells us about her role as a Knowledge Exchange Evaluator, Arts and Culture at Queen Mary, and directing plays written by nine-year-olds.
Professor Nelarine Cornelius, Professor of Organisation Studies
7 October 2021
Professor Nelarine Cornelius is a Professor of Organisation Studies and Associate Dean for Academic Staff Development in the School of Business and Management. In her profile, she talks about her own family history and the importance of Black History Month for current and future generations.
Dimitrisz Sopisz, Grounds and Gardens Supervisor
26 August 2021
Dimitrisz Sopisz is the Grounds and Gardens Supervisor at our Mile End campus. In his profile, he talks about the planting of our campus orchard and the sustainability inititiatives across the campus including building hedgehog houses and planting a wildflower lawn.
Dr Lesley Howell, Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry
13 August 2021
Dr Lesley Howell is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry in the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, and also one of the first cohort of Queen Mary Academy Fellows. In her profile, Lesley talks about piloting student facilitated workshops, working on using mixed reality technology for teaching and outreach work, and learning to play the piano.
Rob Tucker, LGBT+ Officer at Barts and The London Students’ Association
14 June 2021
Third-year medical student Rob Tucker is LGBT+ Officer at Barts and The London Students’ Association (BLSA) and incoming VP Barts and the London at Queen Mary Students’ Union (QMSU). He spoke to us about what Pride means to him and his work as LGBT+ Officer.
Volunteering in Greece with the refugees: memories from 2017 and 2019
14 June 2021
This Refugee Week, Queen Mary Library Information Assistant Anne-Marie McHarg reflects on her experiences volunteering with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Greece, working with humanitarian organisations to support people fleeing conflict.
Dr Jordi Lopez-Tremoleda, Named Veterinary Surgeon
8 April 2021
Dr Jordi Lopez-Tremoleda is Queen Mary’s Named Veterinary Surgeon and Editor-in-Chief of the journal Laboratory Animals. In this staff profile, he talks about how animals are involved in research at Queen Mary, ways in which his team ensure that the animals receive the best care possible, and projects aimed at reducing, refining and replacing the use of animals in research.
Patty Wang, Regional Manager (East Asia)
22 February 2021
Patty Wang is the Regional Manager (East Asia) in the International Student Recruitment team based in our Beijing office. In her profile, Patty tells us about her role in China, her love of hiking and who she would invite to her dream dinner party.
Professor Adrian Martineau
15 January 2021
Adrian Martineau is Professor of Respiratory Infection and Immunity at the Institute of Population Health Sciences in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. He is leading on the investigation of risk factors for developing coronavirus as part of COVIDENCE UK, a national study collecting data from volunteers around the UK to answer scientific questions surrounding Covid-19.