Meet the MCR

Hello! I am Gauri Chandra, the MCR Catering Rep. I started my DPhil in Public Policy at Blavatnik last year in October, and it’s been lovely to get to know so many of you over the last 6 months. I grew up in Delhi, and moved to London nearly five years ago, where I did my post-graduate studies and worked for a couple of years. I am trained in economics and am interested in the application of behavioural economics to policy-making to improve development outcomes. 

My role as the Catering Rep includes communicating all your concerns regarding the hall food, and your dietary requirements to the college catering manager. Now, of course, due to COVID the hall has shut down altogether. But we are figuring out some food delivery options for those of you who are still in college, and planning some online events to make home cooking/baking more fun! Feel free to write to me if you have any ideas: gauri.chandra@some.ox.ac.uk

Hello everyone! I’m Shelley Castle your re-elected MCR Disabled Students Rep, I’ve very excited to be working with you for another year! I was born in Hammersmith, north London but moved so a village near Aldershot, Surrey as a small child but the accent has largely stuck around! I’m a second year DPhil in the History of Science, Medicine and Technology on the Banbury Road and George Street sites. Where I research the social, military and medical implications of chemical warfare used in the First World War into the late 20th century, so 1915 to the 1980s. I’m also involved with the History Faculty through Oxford History Graduate Network as it’s present Social Secretary and it’s associated role as a member of the JGCC.

I’m also a left-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy so you’ll often see me around in a green coat with a VERY noisy walking cane. I have it on good authority that you’ll hear me well before you see me! Or you’ll find it left in various places around the MCR! My role as your ‘Students with Disabilities Rep’ involves supporting access to MCR events by working with our amazing executive committee to facilitate this such as, with paid taxis for away dinners and pub trips! I also work with college, the other members of the committee and JCR to ensure that you have the information and access you need to make the most of your time here so that’s everything from advice on college accommodation (see the MCR website) and living in Oxford to special access to areas of the historic college site. So feel free to email me with questions or issues at any time and we’ll do our best to help!

The social secretaries plan the majority of social events that go on in the MCR, including exchange dinners with other colleges. The current social secretaries are Beto Wetter, Isabel Schmeita and Shelley Castle.

My name is David (Zheyi) Cao, and I am a DPhil student in Clinical Medicine studying computational cancer genomics. As the 22-23 MCR Treasurer, I hope to contribute to the smooth functioning of the MCR executive committee. In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies and reading books. You could also see me cycling or jogging. 

As treasurer, I manage the finances of the MCR: preparing budgets, handling reimbursements, awarding grants, etc. I work closely with other members of the committee, aiming to deliver good value for money!