Cleo Turner
DPhil Medical Sciences, 2025
Sir David Weatherall Scholarship
Cleo’s research focuses on how genes are regulated, specifically exploring enhancer biology. Her project examines whether the orientation of enhancers plays a role in gene activation at a model locus. She is also studying the different components of super-enhancers and their various roles in gene regulation. Broadly, her field aims to reveal the precise mechanisms by which genes are regulated in healthy cells, and how these processes can go wrong in disease.
DPhil Medical Sciences, 2025
Sir David Weatherall Scholarship
Jude Popham completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at King’s College London, where optional modules in software and data analysis sparked his preference for dry-lab projects over traditional wet-lab work. He went on to join the biotech company Nucleome Therapeutics, where he discovered his passion for machine learning and developed an interest in pursuing a PhD to lead his own research. During this time, Jude also became increasingly aware of venture capital and the crucial role of funding in driving scientific innovation.
When looking into the DPhil medical science course at Oxford there was a project listed from Dr James Davies- co founder of Nucleome Therapeutics. This, alongside encouragement from his manager convinced him to apply for his DPhil. Jude’s research focuses on utilising AI software and machine learning to de-code genetic regulation.
DPhil in Medical Sciences, 2023
I am an Australian trained consultant haematologist with an interest in cellular therapies and bone marrow transplantation. I am undertaking a DPhil at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine under the supervision of Professor Ronjon Chakraverty. My work focuses on immune injury to the bone marrow stroma, and its impact on haematopoiesis.
Contact: daniel.north@gtc.ox.ac.uk
DPhil in Medical Sciences, 2022
I am a physician-scientist with a keen interest in haematology and immunology. I studied medicine in Frankfurt and Heidelberg, including international clerkships at Yale (New Haven), Zurich, and Basel.
My research experience includes studying neutrophil biology in homeostasis and inflammation in humans and mice and novel diagnostical methods for paediatric Lyme disease at Heidelberg University and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. I was fortunate to also enrol at MIT to study cancer biology, where I developed a strong interest in cancer research.
After graduating from medical school, I joined the Vyas lab to study haematopoiesis and haematological malignancies. During my time at Oxford, I am focusing my research on the mutational landscape of haematopoietic malignancies and identifying the transcriptomic and epigenetic landscape of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia treated with novel therapeutics.
By applying and improving novel sequencing technologies, the laboratory aims to understand the events leading to the development of acute myeloid leukaemia and to improve treatment opportunities.
I hold the Oxford – Sir David Weatherall Scholarship from Green Templeton College and am co-funded by the Radcliffe Department of Medicine/Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM Prize Studentship). I am very grateful to the college and the institute for their support.
Please do not hesitate to contact me!
Contact: felix.radtke@imm.ox.ac.uk
DPhil in Medical Sciences, 2022
I am originally from the United States, and I am pursuing a DPhil in computational and systems immunology, splitting my time between the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology and the National Cancer Institute. My work focuses on developing mathematical models to better understand how T cells react to antigens presented by cancer cells. In my free time, I enjoy sport climbing and mountaineering.
Contact: anagha.krishnan@gtc.ox.ac.uk
DPhil Medical Sciences
2018
Spencer Tong is a third year DPhil student reading Medical Sciences at Green Templeton College. He holds the Oxford-Sir David Weatherall Scholarship and conducts clinical genetics research at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine.
Under the supervision of Anne Goriely, Associate Professor of Human Genetics, Spencer is focused on understanding why older fathers sire a higher incidence of children with congenital disorders than younger men. His research has revealed that a previously unimplicated, fundamental pathway (known as TGF-B) mutates and dysregulates as all men age thus leading to an increased risk over time. As he continues to validate and build on his findings, he’s steadily preparing for his upcoming Confirmation of Status and eventual DPhil Viva.
When Spencer isn’t garbed in a lab coat and armed with a pipette, he’s often found enjoying the 5-star cuisine in the GTC dining hall or at the Iffley Sports Centre playing for the Men’s Blues Volleyball team. He notes, particularly pleased, that the squad was victorious at the 50th Varsity Match over Cambridge just a couple of weeks prior to the first lockdown in March 2020.
Work-life balance is certainly easier to achieve prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; when one’s office is mere feet from one’s bed, it’s been easy for graduate students to feel like the DPhil is taking over both work and home life. For Spencer, he’s made sure to carve out time to enjoy the college tennis courts and go on many walks through University Parks and Port Meadow.
Although the stress of navigating a pandemic amidst the stress of a DPhil had been unanticipated, Spencer is quick to express his gratitude towards the Green Templeton Community: “Thanks to the generosity of our donors in establishing the Weatherall Scholarship and others like it, I’ve been able to continue my studies without the burden of financial worry.” He also notes that GTC’s Hardship Fund, which all affected students have been encouraged to explore, has been a general salve for the student body’s uncertainty and unrest. Spencer’s looking forward to the next set of events and college formal dinners where he can catch up with the wider GTC community.
