Meet the Mentors

Anjali is a 4th year PhD student based in the Department of Clinical Medicine at the Trinity Translational Medicine Institute campus. She researches how changes to immune cell metabolism in patients with Lupus can contribute to its pathogenesis. She has previously completed an MSc in Cancer Biology and an MSc in Bioinformatics. Originally from India, she has been living in Ireland for the last 7 years, and enjoys coffee, chats, and yoga in her free time. 

Xiaoling (Arica) is a final-year PhD candidate at the Centre for Language and Communication Studies, where her research focuses on learners’ experiences with technology-assisted language learning. She is also an experienced Chinese language teacher and has experience working across several countries, with a strong interest in cross-cultural exchange. She is currently based in Cork and would be more than happy to be a guide if anyone fancies a visit to the city! 

Felicien is undertaking his PhD in the Centre for Innovative Human Systems at Trinity's School of Psychology. The PhD aims to develop a set of end-user requirements for a mobile health record app persons experiencing social exclusion can use when accessing healthcare. That capitalises on his B.Sc. in Clinical Psychology and the experience, he has acquired in trauma-informed care, human factors, and digital health from his work in Rwanda. He likes visiting museums and new places for inspiration. 

Isabel is a half-Spanish half-American PhD candidate in Psychology researching the interplay between sleep (which she's a big fan of) and anxiety and depression (which not so much). Outside of academia, she’s a big reader, an occasional DJ, and a devoted Bad Bunny fan. An adopted Dubliner, she’s really into the city’s food, music, and late-night scene, and wants to help everyone feel at home in this wonderfully cultural city. 

Michaela is currently pursuing a PhD in the School of Social Work and Social Policy (SWSP) under the working title Irish Traveller Women’s Reproductive Citizenship: An Exploratory Study of Knowledge and Experiences. At Trinity, she serves as a research assistant, occasional lecturer, and teaching assistant within SWSP and in the Department of Political Science. Prior to joining Trinity, worked in government relations consulting, and completed a MA at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Akin to her Canadian roots - she enjoys hiking, the same cannot be said for her dog Padmé. 

Narin is based in the Academic Unit of Neurology, where she uses EEGs to study the neurophysiology of ALS. She is also a medical doctor in the National MND Clinic at Beaumont Hospital. Raised between the Netherlands and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Narin has found a home in Ireland. When she's not at work, she loves to spend her time reading, writing, and attempting to build things, from miniature models to an ever-expanding balcony garden. 

Nate is a post graduate student in the Department of Genetics, studying the dynamics of the activation of the brains immune system. He previously completed his bachelors degree in the US and spent a few years working in Boston at the Broad Institute. He spends his free time traveling, reading, and cycling. 

Philip is a PhD candidate in Physiology where he investigates the effects of exercise on cerebral blood flow. He previously completed an MSc in Sport Nutrition and postgraduate training in learning and teaching in higher education and is recognised as a University of London Worldwide Tutor. Originally from South Africa, Philip has a wealth of experience working with diverse groups and supporting students through teaching and mentoring. Outside of academia, he enjoys going to the gym, is a big rugby fan and enjoy a good braai.  

Sarah is based in the Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, where she researches how our circadian rhythm impacts how our brain responds to immune challenges. She did her undergraduate here in Trinity in Biological and Biomedical Sciences specialising in Neuroscience. Born and raised in Dublin, she enjoys yoga classes and the saxophone!  

Saumya is a microbiologist, working in the department of Environmental Engineering, where she is researching the effects of nature-based solutions on greenhouse gas emissions and microbial ecology. She completed her MSc in Microbiology from Radboud University in the Netherlands. She is originally from India and enjoys reading, singing, taking long walks, and cooking delicious food for her friends. 

Shaguna is a PhD researcher in the Department of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin, working on reinforcement learning and intelligent transportation systems, with a focus on traffic flow optimisation and multi-agent decision-making. Her research is part of the Science Foundation Ireland ADVANCE CRT programme. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring nature, travelling, playing sports and working on creative projects. 

Vicky is a PhD candidate in the School of Education at Trinity College Dublin, where her research centres on how Generative AI-supported feedback can enhance student-teacher relationships in multilingual and multicultural classrooms. With a background as a secondary school French and Spanish teacher, she holds a Professional Master of Education and a Master’s in French Language and Literature, and has a strong interest in Second Language Acquisition, educational technology, and inclusive curriculum design. Outside of her research, she can often be found out on a long-distance run or immersed in a gripping mystery novel—and, of course, she sometimes misses skiing in her native Alps. 

Zenobia is based in the Geography Department within the School of Natural Sciences, where she researches the use of water stable isotopes to uncover blanket bog hydrology through precipitation and bog runoff in the Wicklow Mountains, Ireland. She previously completed her MPhil in Water Resources Engineering and Management at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. She moved from Ghana to Ireland in September 2024 enjoys a good adventure, good company and loves trying new restaurants and arcades.