About Developmental Neurobiology Academy
The Developmental Neurobiology Academy widening participation project consists of a regular programme of activities designed to improve the progression and success of students currently under-represented at our university and other institutes of higher education.
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Students from non-selective state schools are widely under-represented at top universities. 48% of privately educated children go on to study at a highly selective university, whilst only 18% of state school children, and a staggering 2% of children eligible for free school meals, gain a place at a highly selective university.
The primary objective of the DevNeuro Academy project is to engage with challenging local non-selective state schools and contribute towards changing these numbers.
DNA Team
Who We Are
Leigh Wilson
Hello! I'm Leigh Wilson. My background is in developmental neurobiology research and my role involves public engagement of research, outreach and undergraduate education. I coordinate and curate Developmental Neurobiology Academy and see the online Summer School as a unique and exciting opportunity for Y12 students from different London Schools to find out more about Neuroscience, university life in general and get to know each other. I hope it will challenge & build confidence & connections in all of the above, as well as provide a fun and inspiring experience to spring forward into Y13.
Marina Yasvoina
Hi, lovely to meet you. I am a teacher and a neuroscientist at KCL and I am very excited to be a DNA tutor. I love brains, books, working in a lab and talking about science. I hope that after a week of DNA, you will also take an interest in neuroscience.
Emma Hartil
Emma is in charge of all of the admin and paperwork for Developmental Neurobiology Academy.
Julia Kosowska
Hello everyone! My name is Julia, and I will be one of the DNA tutors this summer. I am a 3rd year Neuroscience MSci student at KCL. I love being engaged with the community at KCL and that's why I was involved with the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Scheme and the Neuroscience Society in 2021/22. This summer I will be joining KCL Student Union as the VP Education (Health) to help improve learning experience at KCL. After a year in KCL Student Union I will come back to being a full-time student to finish my degree. I absolutely love Neuroscience - especially the research at the cellular level! I also love experimenting in the kitchen, hiking and planning spontaneous trips with my friends and family! I am very excited to meet all of you and to share my wonderful experience with Neuroscience at KCL! See you soon! X
Nafisa Islam
Hi guys! My name is Nafisa and I am a 3rd year Biomedical Science student at KCL, specialising in Neuroscience. I am going to be one of your DNA tutors, guiding you through DNA week and sharing my experiences at KCL and my interest in Neuroscience. I like all things creative – drawing & all sort of arts, reading trashy books, blasting music, watching TV shows and being a very aggressive badminton player. I can’t wait to see and interact with everyone during DNA week – see you then!
Marta Tseneva
My name is Hang and I’m a final year BSc Biomedical Science.. I joined DNA as an NRIRD (Neuroscience Research: Improving Racial Diversity) fellow. II come from Vietnam, where compared to the UK the research facilities and public engagement in science is not as advanced. I would like to, in the future, use my experience from DNA to reach out to those back home who may have some interest in science but do not have enough exposure to be further inspired.
Laia Mallafré i MartÃn
Hello Everyone! This is Laia, I'm a second year Biomedical Sciences Bsc undergraduate student, specialising in Neuropharmacology. I am an intern and will be one of your tutors at the DNA thanks to the King's Undergraduate Research fellowship. After my degree I would like to continue onto further postgraduate study be it through an Msc or a PhD, and would love to be involved in public engagement and science communication throughout. I look forward to meeting you guys soon!
Located at Guy's Campus
DevNeruo Academy is brought to you by the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology & the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
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Click below for the social media pages of our research centres.
