Sofya Lebedeva
Clinical Medicine, 2023
I am an international scientist with experience in project management and immunology. I am originally from Russia, but I have also lived in the US and UK.
Prior to my DPhil studies, I was part of the Charity Entrepreneurship 2023 Cohort for Global Health & Security. Where I helped to launch a non-profit aiming to limit the negative effects of anti-microbial resistance. The organisation aims to do this by providing monetary, sales delinked incentives for pharmaceutical companies to invest significant resources into antimicrobial development.
I have previously worked in a Stem Cell research lab at Stanford and on the Microbiome Data Collaborative at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. I was also previously a research assistant at Catena Biosciences, an immunology startup that aimed to create precision-medicine antibodies for cancer therapeutics.
I currently work on preventing and mitigating the negative effects from pandemics. This is also known as biosecurity. I am especially keen on thinking about how to prevent tail end risks to pandemics.
Additionally, I strive to embrace the synergy of mind, body, and science. In my free time, I enjoy calisthenics, yoga, painting, lifting heavy objects and traveling the world.
Contact: sofya.lebedeva@gtc.ox.ac.uk
MSc Social Science of the Internet, 2023
Originally from Berlin, Germany, as a student at the Oxford Internet Institute, I want to understand how the internet influences democracies worldwide and how we can tackle key challenges such as rising populism driven online.
My background lies in public policy and philosophy of technology. Furthermore, I have gained work experience in consulting, the European Parliament and the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
In my leisure time I particularly enjoy meditation, French rap and meeting friends outside!
Contact: nuria.kochling@gtc.ox.ac.uk
DPhil Geography and the Environment, 2023
I’m working on my DPhil in Geography and the Environment with the Smith School focusing on the problem of asset stranding in the transition to sustainable and healthy food systems. Before starting at Oxford, I was a researcher at the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London where I worked with local grassroots food producers in the UK to understand how government policies help or hinders them in their efforts to re-diversity grain production systems. I received my MSc in Sustainable Cities from King’s College London.
In my past life before academia, I was a strategy director for R/GA, an international advertising agency where I worked in London and New York. As an undergrad, I did a BM in Piano Performance.
I’m originally from Texas, but have been in London for 7 years and was in New York prior to that. In addition to cooking and eating great food, I love reading, attempting to drag my two kids up mountains, going to the theatre (especially musicals), roaming aimlessly around museums and running.
Contact: stephanie.walton@gtc.ox.ac.uk
MSc in Precision Cancer Medicine, 2023
Hello, I’m Stefan! I am a junior doctor who lives and works in Scotland.
I graduated from the University of Dundee in 2020 with an intercalated medicine degree in cancer medicine. My goal is to become a haematology consultant, combining medical practice with research and teaching. Studying the part-time precision cancer medicine degree is my next step in this journey.
I am really excited to be part of the GTC community and I look forward to meeting fellow students across all disciplines. Outside of work and study, I enjoy reading, hiking and being a full time dog-dad to our black Labrador, Juniper.
Contact: stefan.tucker@gtc.ox.ac.uk
MSc Social Anthropology, 2023
Hi! This is Hanting from China. Before coming to Oxford, I graduated with a LLB from China University of Political Science and Law and studied at UC Berkeley for a semester. I am currently an anthropology student interested in political and legal anthropology in the context of Chinese studies, which also extends to political philosophy and contemporary social thoughts. I also enjoy reading and travelling a lot, where I can encounter new stories and meet new people.
Contact: hanting.su@gtc.ox.ac.uk
PGCE English, 2023
Prior to reading for the PGCE, I obtained my BA in English and International Relations from the University of Toronto. I am a writer of short fiction and am passionate about literature education.
Contact: mathea.treslan@education.ox.ac.uk
