Meet the MCR

Hi there, my name is David (Zheyi) Cao, and I am a DPhil student in Clinical Medicine studying computational cancer genomics. My primary research goal is to characterize and investigate the molecular phenotypes of Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma and Stomach Adenocarcinoma.

As the 24-25 MCR President, I am leading the MCR, which includes all the social secretaries, welfare officers and representatives who are responsible for various events, schemes and projects run at the MCR. I also lead the MCR general and committee meetings, report to College Principal every fortnight and represent our MCR sitting on College committees and Student Union. Most importantly, I will always be ready to provide support for the students at Somerville so that everyone could enjoy their study and life at Oxford. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any enquiries about the MCR, or anything else.

Hey! I’m Francess and I’m a graduate entry medical student at Somerville. I am based mostly in the John Radcliffe hospital, but you can often find me in the library or in any of the wonderful cafés we have in Jericho.

As Vice President, my role involves supporting the president in the running of the executive and representative committee. I also play a role in organising initiatives with focuses ranging from social conscience to promoting personal and academic development. My goal is to work collaboratively with the committee to provide sufficient opportunities for postgraduates to thrive and leave Oxford with a fulfilling, memorable experience.

I always love to hear from you, whether that’s to share ideas about future events or to grab a coffee – do not hesitate to reach out for a chat! 

Ishani is a candidate for the D.Phil. in Law at Somerville College. Her doctoral research aims to evaluate the present paradigm on disability-selective abortions in India and develop an ‘indigenous’ normative and legal framework for governing such abortion in India. In contrast to sex-selective abortions, which are prohibited in India, disability-selective abortions are positively sanctioned under the Indian legislative and judicial framework. She seeks to underline how the present paradigm reduces women to ‘gatekeepers of perfection’ and disregards the State’s duty of non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation towards disabled people. Given the unique context of evolution of reproductive rights and disability rights in India, she will attempt to highlight the limitations of Western intellectual tradition and develop an ‘Indian’ framework to address this debate in India. In doing so, she will endeavour to fill a theoretical gap in Indian feminist and disability-rights scholarship and make appropriate recommendations for legal reforms.

Ishani is keenly interested in analysing rights-based frameworks through feminist and critical legal scholarship and undertaking comparative and inter-disciplinary study of human rights and corresponding State obligations. Prior to the DPhil, Ishani read on the Bachelor of Civil Law programme at the University of Oxford as a Cornelia Sorabji Scholar. She opted for public law courses, like Medical Law and Ethics and Comparative Equality Law. She also graduated with the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) degree from Jindal Global Law School, India.

As the Welfare Officer, she hopes to make the MCR a more comfortable, welcoming and inclusive space for all members of the MCR, through different events, initiatives, and schemes. Further, as the Women’s Representative, she aims to represent the concerns of the women students to the College through the Equality and Diversity Group, and coordinate with them where necessary. If there is anything that the MCR can support you with, please feel free to reach out to her. 

Hi all! My name’s Juliette, and I’m a DPhil student in Economics working on environmental economics.

Within the Somerville MCR, I am the Music Rep. I organise the piano lessons and a couple of music events for graduate students – karaoke, open mics and concerts, anything goes (well, mostly in Hilary term now, given the full events that we’re having already in MT)! If you have ideas for something music-related, please feel free to reach out – Juliette.

My name is Ghaith, and I am an Msc student studying Radiobiology in the department of Oncology. As a treasurer for the MCR, I hope to help run the finances of the MCR, from handling reimbursements to managing our MCR budgets. I work closely with the rest of the team, aiming to achieve the highest level of happiness and fun in the MCR! 

My hobbies include a lot of sport, squash, rowing, cycling and gyming are my current favourites. I have also recently got hooked on pool, which i play with our lovely IT and House reps (as well as various professional pool players). 

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions, and many thanks! 

My name is Joost and I am a postgraduate student reading for an MSc in Economic and Social History. As the 24-25 SU representative, I am taking care of the connections between the Somerville MCR and the student union, and hope to lend voice to all issues arising in Somerville College. In my free time you either find me out on the hockey pitch or in the library reading.

Mounir comes from a lovely small city on the east coast of the Mediterranean: Saida, Lebanon. Mounir received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering – Design, Materials, and Manufacturing track along with a minor degree in Arabic and Near Eastern Languages from the American University of Beirut (AUB). His interest in language goes far to the study of classical texts in the early Arabic Grammar and Lexicography. 

Mounir has worked with the Insight Club AUB to construct a supportive community to university students by balancing between physical intellectual and spiritual needs. Mounir is interested in the field of solid mechanics and mechanics of composite materials has published in reputable journals and received faculty awards.

Mounir aims to apply his experience to Metal Organic Framework Materials (MOFs) in studying their mechanical properties and their composites in polymer matrices and different geometries. This includes exploring the time dependent properties of MOFs and composites at different length scales. In addition, the fracture of MOFs and their toughness is of interest for designing damage-tolerant structures for energy absorption applications.

Beyond engineering, Mounir is interested in walking and in reading classical and folk literature.

Hi! I’m Sana, one of the MCR social secretaries. I’m doing a DPhil in Clinical Neurosciences, and outside of that I enjoy going to the gym, yoga and the occasional run. I’ve been social sec since MT 2024, and am looking forward to organising more events for the MCR to enjoy!

Hi there, I’m Tim the MCR Secretary. If you have any queries relating to the running of the MCR or the constitution, please do get in touch. I also take responsibility for organising the general meetings so if you have any motions to submit send them to my official MCR email.

Outside of the committee, I research wind turbines using computational fluid dynamic techniques. I am a keen climber, runner and rower for the college. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, even if it is about running!

Hi, I’m Sana, and I am a DPhil Student in History whose hobbies include reading, music and poetry. 

I particularly enjoy reading acknowledgement pages of books in particular and am interested in philosophy of history. I am an occasional writer and a full time fraghead.

Hello! I’m Bethan, the 2024/25 House Chair for Somerville MCR.

I’m an Experimental Psychology DPhil student, working in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. My research aims to explore differences in neural recruitment for executive function and mathematics by children from diverse socio-cultural contexts, and how protective factors support development.

As House Chair, I will be overseeing our physical MCR spaces here at Somerville. If you have any thoughts on what you would like to see in our MCR, please get in touch!

Hi, my name is Christian and I’m reading for an MSc in computer science, outside of that I enjoy wild swimming. As LGBTQ+-rep, I am looking forward organising some more events this term. If you’re having any LGBTQ+-related issues, queries, ideas or would just like to chat – please do hit me up.

I am Misbah and I am doing a DPhil. in Law at the Faculty of Law. I am in my second year of the DPhil, and before this I read for the MSt in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Oxford. I am passionate about ensuring that the MCR community is vibrant and safe for all members.

Hello! I am Sarah, the MCR Education & Academic Representative, and a first year DPhil student in Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics. My research focuses on morphological profiling in neuronal models, to reveal novel mechanisms associated with Parkinson’s disease.

As the MCR Education & Academic Representative, I hope to help facilitate academic support from the college and organise cross-disciplinary academic events to celebrate the diverse research of our MCR members.

Hi! My name is Halima Mughal (my friends call me Himi) and I’m currently one of Somerville MCR’s social secretaries! I am originally from Seattle, Washington and I am an MPhil student in comparative government at the DPIR. My research is on capital punishment and the death penalty. Outside of my research, I love watching movies, journaling, and listening to music (especially Taylor Swift). As a social secretary, my primary job is to help organize social events for our graduate students including formal/bar exchanges and wine and cheese nights 🙂 I’m looking forward to organizing lots of different events, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or ideas!

Hi, I am Tianyi Zhang, DPhil candidate in Experimental Psychology. My research is centred around cross-modal cognition (vision, taste, smell, etc.) and consumer behavioural sciences. (Departmental webpage: https://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/people/tianyi-zhang)

Having experienced the wonderful sense of community fostered by MCR social events at Somerville, I’m excited to work on events where every member of our community feels welcomed, valued, and get connected. 

Hi there! I’m Callum and I am currently reading for the MSc in Mathematical Sciences. Originally from Greater Manchester, I am a big Oldham Athletic supporter. You can probably tell that I enjoy football, but I also spend a lot of time reading and going to the gym. I believe sport is a great way to keep fit whilst building social connections and having fun! My aim as MCR Sports Rep is to make this as easy as possible for everyone to get involved.

Please do feel free to contact me for anything regarding sports/physical activities.