Several interviews with Alumni talking through lessons learnt from their postgraduate studies and offering advice to current students in various areas of their skills development.

Alumni Videos

In conversation with Emily So

Emily discussing her background

In conversation with Emily So

In conversation with Emily So

Emily's intro and quick biography

Emily discussing her background

In conversation with Moiz Bohra

In conversation with Moiz Bohra

Moiz's intro and quick biography

Moiz discussing his background

In conversation with Sam Cooper

In conversation with Sam Cooper

Sam's intro and quick biography

Sam discussing his background and time at Imperial

What motivated you to pursue a doctoral degree

(ES) What motivated you to pursue a doctoral degree

Emily's discussing

Emily discussing 

What key skills from your PG studies have been most valuable

What key skills from your PG studies have been most valuable

Moiz describes the most valuable key skills from his PG studies

Moiz describes the most valuable key skills from his PG studies

What motivated you to do a Doctoral degree?

What motivated you to do a Doctoral degree?

Sam explains why he did a Doctoral degree at Imperial

Sam explains why he did a Doctoral degree at Imperial

What challenges did you face in your postgraduate studies

What challenges did you face in your postgraduate studies

Emily discussing

Emily discussing 

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

Sam explains the challenges he faced in his studies and how he over came them

Sam explains the challenges he faced in his studies and how he over came them

What skills did you learn in your postgraduate studies that

What skills did you learn in your postgraduate studies that

Emily discussing

Emily discussing 

What skills from your PG studies have been most useful?

What skills from your PG studies have been most useful?

Sam talks about the key skills from his postgraduate studies that have been most valuable

Sam talks about the key skills from his postgraduate studies that have been most valuable

How did you balance your time in your studies

How did you balance your time in your studies

Emily discussing

Emily discussing 

How did you balance your time during your PG studies

How did you balance your time during your PG studies

Moiz describes how he balanced his time as a student

Moiz describes how he balanced his time as a student

How did you balance your time during your PG studies?

How did you balance your time during your PG studies?

Sam talks about balancing time during his studies

Sam talks about balancing time during his studies

How can students make the most of their networking skills

How can students make the most of their networking skills

Emily discussing

Emily discussing

How can students make the most of their networking skills?

How can students make the most of their networking skills?

Moiz explains how students can use and develop their networking skills

How can students make the most of their networking skills?

Is there anything that you would differently

Is there anything that you would differently

Emily discussing

Emily discussing 

Is there anything else that you would do differently?

Is there anything else that you would do differently?

Moiz explains what he would do differently if he had his time again.

Moiz explains what he would do differently if he had his time again.

Any final pieces of advice

Any final pieces of advice

Emily discussing

Emily discussing 

Accordion block

Professor Emily So

Professor Emily So

Role at time of recording: Professor of Architectural Engineering, Director of the Cambridge University Centre for Risk in the Built Environment (CURBE)

Research background: Casualty estimation in earthquake loss modelling and her research has led to improved understanding of the relationship between deaths and injuries following earthquakes

Dr Moiz Bohra
Dr Moiz Bohra (2025)
Role at time of recording: Associate director - Climate, Willis Towers Watson (WTW)
Background: Chemical Engineering PhD, Postdoc University of Geneva, modeling climate transition risks. 
Dr Sam Cooper 

Dr Sam Cooper 

Role at time of recording: Associate Professor in Artificial Intelligence for Materials Design - Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London; Chief Scientist - Polaron.

Background: PhD in engineering, specialising in 3D imaging, simulation, and machine learning for battery and fuel cell electrodes, spin out company Polaron.

Dr Lara Edmonstone-West

Dr Lara Edmonstone West

Role at time of recording: Head of UK Defined Pension Outsourcing Partnerships - BlackRock

Background: Chemistry Master's, Infectious diseases Medicine Master's, PhD Infectious Diseases, Welcome Trust

Financial Services Sector, Investment consultant and sales.

Dr Vasiliki E Kalodimou

Dr Vasiliki E Kalodimou

Role at time of recording: Director Flow Cytometry Research - IASO Hospital Athens

Background: Genetics research, PhD Stem Cells, hematology Research Associate at General University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, instructor at the General University Hospital of Heraklion and the Ipokratios Medical-Technical Institute of Athens.

Dr Marianna Kapestaki

Dr Marianna Kapestaki

Role at time of recording: Neurology Medical Doctor, Postdoctoral Research Fellow University College London

Background: PhD Neuroscience, postdoc, medical doctor, neuroscientist, classical pianist, neurologist, medical doctor, performing arts medicine 

Dr Eva Belonohy

Dr Eva Belonohy

Role at time of recording: Operations Area Coordinator WPSA (Exploitation of JT- 60SA) - Eurofusion 

Background: Physics PhD, Master of Business Administration Imperial, Research Physicist, KFKI research institute Hungary, Plasma Operations Expert at the JET Tokamak, UK atomic Energy Authority, Max Plank Institute Plasma Physics.

Dr Jessica Wade

Dr Jessica Wade 

Role at time of recording: Imperial Research Fellow, Materials 

Background: Physics PhD, Postdoc in Materials, optimisation chiral systems, Science Communication and Outreach initiatives.  

Alumni views on networking

Various alumni completed a survey organised by an EPP regarding their views on networking, click to download the Alumni Networking report to gain tips and insight!