Meet the WCR Committee for 2023-2024. The WCR Committee deals with the College and wider University community on behalf of graduates and strives to ensure the welfare of its members. The WCR also organises social events including parties, theatre and orchestra trips, exchange dinners and quiz nights.

President: Naroa Ibarra-Aizpurua (She/her)
(2019, DPhil in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics)

Naroa is a third-year DPhil student in Neuroscience (DPAG). Originally from the Basque Country in Spain, she came to Oxford to study an MSc in Neuroscience. Because she could not get enough of , she stayed to complete her DPhil. Naroa’s main hobbies include listening to ridiculous amounts of music (Taylor Swift has a special place in her Spotify), reading, yoga, and releasing all her stress at the elliptical machine in the gym. She also spends half her stipend on fancy barista coffees, so give her a shout if you want the best coffee recommendations in Oxford!

After being the WCR Vice-President/Treasurer last year and the Secretary the year before that, Naroa is now the WCR President, and her goal is to make everyone’s time at Univ WCR the best and most memorable possible. She is always happy to help in any way she can, so do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or issues!
Contact: wcr.president@univ.ox.ac.uk

Secretary/ Women’s Officer: Viktoria Brunner (She/her)
(2021, DPhil in Interdisciplinary Bioscience)

Viki is a second-year DPhil student focusing on antimicrobial resistance and computational biology. She previously studied in Switzerland for her MSc. Feeling like a change of scenery after five years in the mountains, she decided to continue her academic route in the much less mountainous Oxford. If not working away at the lab, you will find her on the Iffley Tennis courts, somewhere along the river (either rowing or cycling) or in one of the many beautiful cafes that Oxford has to offer.

As our secretary, she will keep records of meetings at the MCR and is responsible for the graduate student portion of the Univ website and other internal digi-comms, and assisting the President and VP. She also supports Kitty in her role as women’s officer, taking care of the administrative side of things.
Contact: wcr.secretary@univ.ox.ac.uk

Welfare Officer: Jack Saunders (He/him)
(2021, DPhil in Interdisciplinary Biosciences)

I am Jack, a second-year DPhil student in Interdisciplinary Biosciences with a focus on immunology and vaccine development for a group tick-borne diseases. I came to Oxford in 2020 for a master’s in Integrated Immunology at Keble which turned out to be quite a topical period to study this, and after graduation spent some time working on the Oxford/AZ COVID vaccine. If I am not stuck in the lab, you’ll likely find me playing/watching football, at the pub with friends, or getting lost on a long run around Oxford locations.

As a Welfare Officer, I look forward to helping ensure the WCR continues to be an inclusive place that all students feel comfortable in and promote awareness of the support and opportunities available should you need them. Please get in touch with welfare-related questions/concerns and I will try to help or direct you to the best person. Also, feel free to contact me for any suggestions regarding welfare ideas or events.
Contact: wcr.welfare@univ.ox.ac.uk

Social Secretary and Women’s Officer: Kitty Clarke (She/her)
(2022, DPhil in Inorganic Chemistry, OxICFM CDT)

Kitty is a first-year DPhil student in Inorganic Chemistry here at Univ, after completing her integrated master’s at the University of Bristol. When she’s not busy helping to plan exciting new events for the WCR, you may find her doing early morning shifts in the library helping to restock the shelves, or eating enormous brunches every weekend courtesy of our amazing buttery!

As well as being a quarter of our social secretary team, Kitty is also the other women’s officer for the WCR. She is hoping to use both of these roles to not only keep Univ as a fun entertaining social scene, but as a supportive space for the members of our college. If you have any questions, or even just want a friendly chat, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Contact: wcr.entertainment@univ.ox.ac.uk

Social Secretary: Julia Dabrowska (She/her)
(2022, DPhil in Interdisciplinary Bioscience)

Julia is a first-year DPhil in Interdisciplinary Bioscience, focusing on neuroscience and psychology. Before coming to Univ, she lived in Kent and Warsaw, studied biomedical sciences and biomedical engineering at Imperial, and managed to squeeze in a neuroscience degree at Cambridge too. When she’s not analysing people’s brains (or writing about them in student papers/blogs), Julia enjoys swimming, rowing, overpriced coffee, and, when the sun comes out, spending as much time outdoors as humanly possible. As one of the four social secretaries this year, she’s excited to amplify the WCR social scene and bring you a full term card — do get in touch if you have any ideas, or say hello at the next event!
Contact: wcr.entertainment@univ.ox.ac.uk

Social Secretary: Daniel Cox (He/him)
(2022, DPhil in Organic Chemistry)

Dan is a first-year DPhil in organic chemistry at Univ. Originally from Buckinghamshire, Dan recently completed his undergraduate at Univ. As one of the four new social secretaries, along with Julia, Kitty, and Holly; Dan is excited to be involved in plenty of fun events this term. Outside of his studies, Dan enjoys walking and reading, and can frequently be found spending too much of his stipend on music down Cowley Road.
Contact: wcr.entertainment@univ.ox.ac.uk

Social Secretary: Holly James Johnston
(2019, MSt in English (1900 – present day))

Holly is reading for a DPhil in English. Holly grew up in London and completed their undergraduate degree at University College London, before coming to Univ in 2019 for their Master’s. Outside of their academic work, Holly performs as the drag king “Orlando”, a dandy with good hair and a pretty face.
Contact: wcr.entertainment@univ.ox.ac.uk

Environment and Hall Officer: Jacob Ridley (He/him)
(2021, DPhil in English)

Jacob is a second-year DPhil student in English, with a BA and MSt from Magdalen. He was born and bred in Southampton but has now spent half the year in Oxford for over five years. He tried to move away by applying to University College London but by a cruel misunderstanding, the universe sent him to University College Oxford instead. He’s on the committee of the Society of Bibliophiles (look them up) and enjoys history books, drinking, and playing squash and tennis. As your Environment and Hall Officer, Jacob sits on the College Sustainability Committee and is looking forward to helping to make Univ more environmentally friendly. If you have any suggestions or concerns about this, he would love to hear from you!
Contact: wcr.environment@univ.ox.ac.uk

LGBTQ+ Officer: Peter Manshausen (He/him)
(2020, DPhil in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Planetary Physics)

Peter is a third-year PhD student researching clouds and their role in the global climate. Most of his free time is spent with the College’s boat club, baking dark German bread, and reading queer novels.

He is very happy to be the WCR’s LGBTQ+ officer for this year and looking forward to organising socials, exchanges, and welfare events for our queer community and allies. He is also a peer supporter in Univ. Please reach out to Peter with any questions or comments, or just to say hi! 🌈 🐣
Contact: wcr.lgbtq@univ.ox.ac.uk

International Students Officer: Carlos Gonzales Perez (He/him)
(2021, MPhil + DPhil in Economics)

Carlos is a second-year MPhil and DPhil in Economics student, so yes, he will be around for a long time at Univ. Born and raised in Valladolid, Spain, Carlos holds a double major in Economics and International Studies from UC3M (in Madrid). During his undergrad, he spent some time abroad in the United States, China, and Italy. As an experienced international student, Carlos is looking forward to empowering the International Community here at Univ. Carlos held this same position last year and is willing to keep promoting international diversity in College. Carlos started running to replace Oxford mental pain with physical pain, and now he is obsessed with it! He also loves hiking, rugby, chess, wine, weird geographic facts and Atletico de Madrid. His inbox is open to anybody who has any concerns regarding international matters, but in particular, if you are an International Student, he is really looking forward to hearing from you!
Contact: wcr.international@univ.ox.ac.uk

Ethnic Minorities and Racial Equality Officer: Khuluud Hussein (She/her)
(2022, DPhil in Clinical Medicine)

Khuluud is a first-year DPhil student in Clinical Medicine, with a focus on cancer research. Her research centres on identifying and exploring innovative ways to harness the immune system against cancer. Khuluud recognises that the idea of having an “enjoyable Oxford experience” can vary between individuals. As such, she is committed to fostering a welcoming and truly inclusive environment that recognises and accommodates the needs of ethnic minority students. This is to ensure that everyone can have an enjoyable Oxford experience at Univ and that no one is left behind!
Contact: wcr.equality@univ.ox.ac.uk

External Affairs Officer: Samuel Lam (He/him)
(2022, DPhil in Mathematics)

Samuel is currently a member of CDT Mathematics of Random Systems, which leads to a DPhil in Mathematics. Prior to Univ, Samuel resided in Hong Kong before moving to London to read Mathematics at Imperial College.

As the external affairs officer for WCR, he is primarily responsible for representing our graduate community in the Oxford Student Union (SU) Council and bringing back updates on how the SU improve your experiences in Oxford. He will also redevelop the WCR website this summer to make it more informative and accessible. The website will initially contain basic information about the graduate community (e.g. list of WCR events and essential welfare information), although he is keen on liaising with other Univ societies and sports clubs to develop a platform detailing the events happening around Univ. He is delighted to receive any feedback about his duties. Finally, he is also engaged in the Chapel Choir as a tenor and would love to get stuck into the Univ community even more.

Published: 12 May 2023

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