ABOUT US
At Bac2Glow, diversity is our strength. We believe that true harmony emerges when people of different backgrounds come together to solve one problem. Our team is a shining example of this philosophy, boasting a rich variety of backgrounds and talents. Collectively speak seven different languages, study four distinct disciplines, and come from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds. In fact, 60% of our team members hail from non-traditional science backgrounds. Our team is a vibrant mix of talents, including students specializing computer science, biology, medicine and chemistry. This diversity of expertise fuels our creativity and equips us to approach complex challenges from multiple angles. Together, we are the Oxford iGEM team, a dynamic and diverse group of individuals united by a common passion for pushing the boundaries of synthetic biology.
In addition to the team, we had our amazing principal investigator (PI), Francesco. Francesco, along with his lab, provided amazing support along the way as well as expert guidance in times of struggle.
TEAM MEMBERS
Edward Harris
Role: Team Lead
My role is to oversee the project from all areas and to aim to keep everything on tract. I help out within the different areas inclduing getting stuck in in the lab, meeting with potential stakeholders, and he;ping to code the website.
Degree: Medicine
Year: 3/6
Zofia Ziemkieicz
Role: Science Lead
As the science lead I am in charge of all things related to the work inside the lab. I am responsible for writing all of the lab protocols in details so anyone else working in the lab has a way to check their work.
Degree: Biochemistry
Year: 3/4
Delphine Greco
Role: Human Practices Lead
Since starting as the lead for human practices I have been responsible for understanding our wider effect on the world. One of the main things this has involved in having lots, and lots, of conversations with interesting people. We have had meetings with professors, water companies, and even Unicef.
Degree: Biochemistry
Year: 2/4
Ilinca Farcas
Role: Finance Lead
As well as being involved in many other areas of the project, I have been responsible for the teams finances. This has included liasing with sponsers, finding grant money, and keeping tarck of accounts.
Degree: Chemistry
Year: 4/4
Erica Wu
Role: Marketing Lead
Being the marketing lead has invovled many different tasks throughout the project. I run the projects social medias, I have organised a UK-based iGEM meet up, and I have created lots of visual aids for presentations, stalls, and the website.
Degree: Biochemistry
Year: 3/4
Ollie Maher
Role: Website Designer + Science Team'25
I began igem working as the website designer but quickly I was asked to help with many different aspects of the project. One of the main teams I contributed on was the science team.
Degree: Biomedicine
Year: 3/4
Arda Goreci
Role: Science Team
My role has been more on the theory side of the science. I work at understanding the work we are building on, inclduing many of the papers published by the baker lab, and figuring out what it means for us.
Degree: Biomedicine
Year: 3/4
Tasnim Afifa Apola
Role: Science Team
My main role for the igem team was carrying out lab experiments and diagnosing any issues with our protocols. This involved a lot of PCR, gel electrophoresis, and transformations.
Degree: Biochemistry
Year: 3/4
Paulina Vicenova
Role: Marketing Team + Science Team
I contributed to the work of multiple teams throughout the project. Mostly I was working on the marketing team, or working in the lab with the science team.
Degree: Biomedicine
Year: 3/4
Jia Xin Li
Role: Science Team + Jamboree Organiser
When I am not working in the lab I am concentrating on ensuring everything is organised for the jamboree. This has meant working on uniforms, travel, accomodation, and the stall.
Degree: Medicine
Year: 2/4
MEET OUR AMAZING PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR'S
Prof. Francesco Licausi
Professor of Molecular Plant Physiology
Molecular oxygen is essential for aerobic organisms, including plants. However, oxygen availability is not constant but rather fluctuates, due to variations in metabolic needs and the environment. We study the mechanisms that allow plant cells to sense oxygen levels and initiate signalling cascades towards developmental trajectories and metabolic adjustments. We also use synthetic biology approaches to exploit oxygen sensing mechanisms across kingdoms and investigate the evolution of aerobic metabolism, multicellularity and oxygen homeostasis.
Dr Jani Bolla
Royal Society University Research Fellow
Our research focuses on membrane proteins, with a particular emphasis on exploring the multi-protein complexes that facilitate the transport of lipids and proteins across the double envelope membranes found in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria and endosymbiotic organelles like chloroplasts. Our ultimate goal is to unveil the structural dynamics of these machineries in their native environment.
