School of Biology

This year there are 2-3 class reps per year. They all sit on the Student-Staff Consultative Committee (SSCC) where staff and students discuss issues within Biology. They should be your first point of contact when you have an issue related to the School; if they can't help directly, they can help you find someone who can. Everyone on this year's class rep team is approachable and happy to help.

As School President, I work with the other School Presidents, the Students Association and the University Administration to identify overarching issues and to come up with solutions. I chair the SSCC and am on Biology Teaching Committee. Mostly though, I organise things, including feedback. If you have an issue that you feel might be important beyond a specific module, you are welcome to contact me.

Outside of that I study Ecology & Conservation. I enjoy SPSS sessions under the stars, long walks to the North Haugh submission boxes, and 2000-word candlelit dinners, +/- 10%.

Jess Haghkerdar, Biology School President
jh689@st-andrews.ac.uk

Louise Cameron lc85@st-andrews.ac.uk

I am currently in my first year studying Biology and I am hoping to specialise in Marine Biology or Animal Behaviour. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to travel to Guatemala this summer, where I volunteered with young animals who had been rescued from the illegal pet trade. This experience gave me a strong interest in the balance between maternal care and human interference in the growth stages of young animals, in particular primates. As your first year rep, I would like to take on board any issues you are having with the course, and any suggestions you have to improve the biology programme, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!

Tori Rainbolt vr20@st-andrews.ac.uk

I am a first year Biochemistry student with an interest in public health and epidemiology.  I have been fortunate enough to have an internship with an epidemiology institute over the past two years.  As a result of my individual research, which investigated the correlation between odds of obesity and fast food consumption frequency, with my analysis stratified by urban and rural communities, I received the honor of being recognized as a Young Epidemiology Scholar in the summer of 2011.  This field of research is a topic I hope to expand on in the future.  Outside of biology, I am a tri-athlete and a University Ambassador.  Please do not hesitate to get in contact with me so that your concerns and suggestions can best be addressed!

Lynsey Smith las93@st-andrews.ac.uk

Currently I am in my second year and my main interests lie in organismal and evolutionary biology. I am fascinated by the world around us and the different lifeforms that inhabit it, and particularly enjoy applying the knowledge I have learned in lectures to the practicals we do in labs. If there is absolutely anything bothering you about your course or you have any ideas for things that could be done differently then please don't hesitate to contact me –I'm here to help!

Monique Karaivanov mk555@st-andrews.ac.uk

I am doing a Joint Degree in Biology and Psychology and plan on being a psychiatrist one day. I want to focus particularly on Child Psychiatry. I worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as a research intern this past summer and have volunteered in many hospitals and doctors' offices throughout New York City. I also visited the Cold Spring Harbor Research Laboratory this summer and attended a lecture given by James Watson; I have since become very interested in cancer research. I would really like to get more involved in the student community so I hope that you feel comfortable coming to me if you have any questions, problems or concerns regarding the Biology department or any of the relevant modules. Thank you!

Caroline Telford ct394@st-andrews.ac.uk

I'm a third year Biochemist with an interest in protein function and infection and disease. I spent my summer researching the interactions between oomycetes and plants. I was intrigued to see how research fits into real life situations and how it really makes a difference. I am an approachable person and really want to improve the way that lecturers and students interact. As part of the SSCC last year, I am keen to see how issues that were brought up last year have been sorted out and to continue to improve areas such as feedback and contact with staff.  I am an approachable person and really want to improve the way that lecturers and students interact.

Natasha Latysheva nl284@st-andrews.ac.uk

Hey all, I'm Natasha and I'm studying to be a molecular biologist. My main academic loves relate to biochemical medicine, bioinformatics and biophysics, and I've had a blast doing summer projects in these fascinating subjects. My hope is to eventually do research that will help many people; for now, my goal is to do my best to improve biology teaching at St. Andrews, so please contact me with any of your biology-related suggestions or concerns!

Natasha is also the Library and IT Rep. Contact her if you have any problems with resource provision, including subscriptions to articles, availability of books, or access to computers and software.

Stephen McKelvie sm2284@st-andrews.ac.uk

I am studying to be a Marine Biologist, hopefully specialising in Ecology or Animal Behaviour. I have always wanted to study the sea and all the life that inhabits it, ever since I was old enough to go rock pooling. I'm an approachable guy, so please don't hesitate to get in touch if there is anyway I can help.

Francesca Garretti fg78@st-andrews.ac.uk

I am currently a biochemistry major, with hopes to continue my studies and get a PhD after I leave St Andrews. I plan on working in research and have experience in breast cancer genetics research. My goal as class rep is to improve student and staff communication and to solve any issues students may have to make the year more enjoyable for everyone.

Kathryn Hall ksh7@st-andrews.ac.uk

Hi, my name is Kathy although I have been known to go by Katie-Boundary when feeling particularly adventurous. I like lizards, coral reefs, dancing and cheese. I also like talking to you guys so please do get in touch. I can be reached on 07531420524 or through e-mail (ksh7) and I'm always happy to arrange a time to talk about any concerns you have over a sympathy pint.

Jack McLachlan jrm82@st-andrews.ac.uk

I am a fourth year Ecology and Conservation student, with the intention of doing further study in Forest Ecology. I am interested in natural history, farming and conservation. I have worked with Forestry Commission Scotland on invasive species monitoring, which was pretty cool.