Welcome to KCL's Biotechnology & Synthetic Biology Society!
Be sure to purchase your membership today to gain access to all of our events throughout the year!
What is synthetic biology?
Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary field that merges principles from biology, engineering, computer science, and design to construct novel biological systems with enhanced functionalities. Synthetic biology holds the promise of transformative advancements in biotechnology with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, environmental management, and industry. Immersing oneself in this field means helping to usher in a new era of customizable, programmable living tools.
Our vision:
At our core, we provide an inclusive space for enthusiasts to not only geek out about the latest breakthroughs but also explore the multifaceted aspects of this cutting-edge field. Our focus goes beyond academia as we delve into the intricacies of biotech entrepreneurship. We are committed to nurturing well-rounded professionals through exposing our members to hands-on learning with workshops that hone practical skills like public speaking and networking—essential tools for success in the biotech arena - as well as guiding our members on pathways to direct involvement in the field.
We encourage people from all disciplines to engage with this field and thus we welcome not only students of bioscience, but also those whose focus is on business, law, ethics, design, or any other craft that aims to better the human experience through disruptive innovations.
What do we do?
To achieve these goals and make synthetic biology accessible to all, our society hosts a myriad of events throughout the academic year. These include talks from biotech entrepreneurs, professionals, and academics; workshops to shed light on internships, placements, and graduate prospects; as well as social events as a more light-hearted approach to strengthening our community and enhancing our support networks.
We also organize an annual synbio-hackathon in which students can engage in competitive and collaborative solution-engineering relating to synthetic biology. This is due to take place in February 2024 - keep an eye on our social media pages for more detailed updates!
Our society is closely linked to the KCL iGEM team which participates annually in the International Genetically Engineered Machine competition. This is a worldwide synthetic biology competition that involves teams engaging with and presenting intensive synthetic biology-related research projects.
Your SynBioTech Committee:
Samuel Eyob - President
Tiffanie Victoria - Vice President
Alice Ren - Treasurer
Astriti Aditya - Co-Events Officer
Prachi Puranik - Co-Events Officer
Nicole Salem - Wellbeing Officer
Diana Nazrin - Social Media Officer
Jonathan Collard - FOLSM Representative
Tiffany Kan - Biomedical Engineering Representative
Shakib Chowdhury - Network Representative
Hannah Hill - Freshers Representative
The committee is immensely passionate about including everyone in the discussion. You are more than welcome to ask us any questions academia-related or not. We are a friendly bunch and do not want you to feel intimidated in any way. We want to emphasise that your well-being is important to us and want to create a safe space for our members.
Join us to connect with a vibrant community, stay abreast of current developments, and embark on a journey that not only fuels your passion but also prepares you to have a meaningful impact in the world of biotechnology and synthetic biology. Check out our social media pages for more information on past events and activities!