People

Alba is a PhD student in the Cai Lab. She joined the group of Professor Patrick Cai in 2019 as a master student and, after her graduation with a Molecular Biotechnology MSci from University of Pisa, she started her PhD. Her work involves the engineering of the next generation of tRNA neochromosomes. She believes that the tRNA neochromosome research within the Sc2.0 project is a highly fascinating research field which will allow observation towards de novo chromosome building but also to study fundamentals of tRNA biology which would not be accessible in a standard biological system. In her free time, she volunteers in science research events, she enjoys travel, reading, going to the cinema and loves good food.

Miriam studied Biotechnology at the Autonomous University of Queretaro and completed the MSc. in Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology at Sussex University. She has worked on different projects of functional genomics, experimental oncology and immunology in Mexico, Spain and Canada. Currently enrolled in the dual Manchester-Beijing PhD programme she focusses on applying synthetic biology, genomics and AI to develop novel therapeutic approaches for cancer. Outside of the academic world, she has launched start up initiatives to promote a more inclusive world; she enjoys chess, independent films, theatre and reading.

Eloise graduated with a BSc Hons in Biochemistry from Imperial College London in 2019. She joined the Cai lab group in 2021 working in conjunction with Prof Jason Micklefield. Her project is on synthetic biology approaches for re-assembling biosynthetic pathways in heterologous host strains and biosensing technologies. Eloise is funded by the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in BioDesign Engineering. Outside of the lab Eloise enjoys art, fitness and bouldering.

Smruti joined the Cai Lab in 2023 after completing her Integrated Master of Science in Life Science from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India. She is enrolled in the EPSRC-funded CDT BioDesign Engineering PhD program. As a part of the program, she completed her Mres in Systems and Synthetic Biology from Imperial College London. Her project is based on developing technologies for mammalian synthetic biology of engineering disease-based genomic loci that can be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. When not in the lab, she enjoys rummaging through the pages of a thriller novel, cooking and most likely munching on desserts!