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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 16h

If you've been inspired by our recent posts and would like to join the EngBio CDT, applications for Sept 2026 entry are open!
The deadline for Bristol is 13th Jan 2026
bit.ly/EngBioCDTBrist
The deadline for Oxford is 8th Jan 2026
bit.ly/EngBioCDTOx
More course details on our webpages 🔬

EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 1d

Meet the team!👋 Professor Jennifer McManus

Jennifer is our Co-i and EDI Champion, based at University of Bristol

Jennifer's research looks at how inter-molecular protein interactions direct protein assembly to form crystals, gels and demixed liquids

Find out about her research: bit.ly/3KX1ACQ

A picture of Jennifer, with text reading "Professor Jennifer McManus. Co-i, EDI Champion"

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 3d

Congrats to James Bridson (Cohort 1) for winning a poster prize at the 16th European Nitrogen Fixation Conference! James said “I got some really constructive feedback… about the challenges of my work, major roadblocks to implementation in the field, & potential future directions.” Well done, James!

EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 7d

Time is flying 🚀 Students have wrapped up their second Welcome Week at Oxford & are nearly through week 1 of foundation training!

Cohort 2 met supervisors, toured labs & sorted out building access. They're now split into two groups, Biology and Maths—before reuniting soon for a new project!

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 9d

Belmont focuses on environmental restoration, sustainable food production, climate action and the reconnection of people to nature, food, and one another. Thank you to Martin for his insightful tour and use of the beautiful space at Belmont, and to Viv and Mireia, our RRI training leads.

EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 9d

What if nature was a stakeholder in our research? Can we give nature a voice in our work? How can we be good ancestors?

These were some of the questions at the centre of last Friday’s Responsible Research training session with Cohort 1 EngBio students at Belmont Estate belmont.estate

Home

Regenerating land, reversing biodiversity loss and reconnecting communities to nature and each other. Discover how you can join the journey.

belmont.estate

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 14d

We worked with artist RTiiiKA (rtiiika.com) to create printed artefacts from these imagined futures, which are featuring in FUTURES Festival. Our cohort will be on hand to talk with visitors about the implications of engbio for the futures of Bristol and beyond.

Tickets here: tinyurl.com/4jur2vpv

Discovery Day

Discovery Day is your chance to explore science and research in fun, hands-on ways – all for free!

tinyurl.com

EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 14d

Earlier this year, the CDT cohort worked with young people from Bristol Cathedral Choir School to imagine the possible futures of engbio. Together they explored what the city could look like in 20, 50, 100 years and how some applications from engineering biology could be part of our day-to-day life.

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 14d

Come and join us on Saturday 27th September at FUTURES: A Festival of Discovery! futuresnight.co.uk

This Saturday, the EngBio CDT will have an exhibition from 10am-4pm at We The Curious @wethecurious.bsky.social as part of Discovery Day. Tickets are free!

Tickets here: tinyurl.com/4jur2vpv

Futures

FUTURES brings research to life with FREE in-person and online events across the South West in autumn 2025.

futuresnight.co.uk

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 20d

Now, all Cohort 2 students will be heading to @ox.ac.uk for a Welcome Week there and EngBio Foundation Training.

EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 20d

That’s a wrap on Welcome Week at @bristoluni.bsky.social!

Students have taken part in:
🧫 a visit to @sciencecreates.bsky.social
💭 an introduction to innovation and responsible research
🗣️ a poster event with Cohort 1 students and supervisors

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 23d

Welcome to Cohort 2 of our EngBio CDT!

The 2025 academic year has kicked off in Bristol and we’re very pleased to welcome another group of enthusiastic students onto the programme.

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · 27d

Meet the team!👋 Dr Jonathan Bath

Jonathan is our Co-i and EDI Champion, based at the University of Oxford.

Jonathan's work involves making molecular machines using DNA as a construction material.

To find out more about Jonathan's research, visit his staff profile here; bit.ly/41MfehV

A picture of Dr Jonathan Bath, with text reading "Dr Jonathan Bath, Co-i and EDI Champion"

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Aug 29

Meet the team!👋 Mireia Bes Garcia

Mireia is our Responsible Research & Innovation Lead, based at University of Bristol

She is one of our RRI training leads, covering environment, engagement and inclusive research through bespoke sessions for our students

More about Mireia's work:

bit.ly/4oWjDsw

A picture of Mireia Bes Garcia, with text reading "Mireia Bes Garcia, Responsible Research and Innovation Training Lead"

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Aug 27

Congratulations to our first cohort of students who are coming to the end of their taught units. We can’t believe how quickly this last year has gone! 👏

September will see the start of their PhD/DPhil projects and we’ll be welcoming Cohort 2 to the programme. 🌟

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Aug 15

Meet the team!👋 Dr Kerstin Kinkelin

Kerstin is our Innovation Manager, based at the University of Bristol.

Kerstin works with partners across the innovation ecosystem to identify opportunities for collaborative research and training.

Find out more about Kerstin's work here: bit.ly/45kuogz

A picture of Kerstin, with text reading "Dr Kerstin Kinkelin, Innovation Manager"

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Aug 12

One of the reasons we love living in Bristol? The annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta of course! The event takes place every summer when the city sees hundreds of balloons take to the skies. Our CDT Administrator Cat took this photo from her balcony last weekend 😍

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Jul 23

Hi Noah! Please could you message us your email address? We'll happily pass it on to our student for them to get in touch with you

EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Jul 23

Our students are part way through their second Short Research Project. They're looking into research areas such as:

- characterising the phase-transition profile of haemoglobin in sickled RBCs 🩸
- using reinforcement learning to understand protein expression 🧑‍💻

It’s been a productive summer so far!

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Jul 16

Meet the team!👋 Vivienne Kuh

Viv is our Responsible Research & Innovation Lead, based at University of Bristol

Viv is one of our RRI training leads, covering environment, engagement and inclusive research through bespoke sessions for our students

Find out more about Viv's research:
bit.ly/4eBExbs

A picture of Vivienne Kuh, with text reading "Vivienne Kuh, Responsible Research and Innovation Training Lead"

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EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Jul 8

Meet the team!👋 Professor Antonis Papachristodoulou

Antonis is our Co-Director, based at University of Oxford.

Antonis is part of the SYSOS group, who develop tools based on modern control theory for biological and technological systems.

Find out more about his research here: bit.ly/4lyJxzT

A picture of Professor Antonis Papachristodoulou, with text reading "Professor Antonis Papachristodoulou. Co Director, Teaching Lead"

EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Jul 4

Since the end of the Summer School, we've been collecting feedback from students & attendees:
"I learned so much during the Summer School & it was a great opportunity to network with academic and industry partners, as well as getting to know the new cohort!"
Excited to make next year's even better!

EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Jun 25

And that’s a wrap! 🎉
Thank you to everyone who attended our first Summer School. We really appreciate you taking the time to be part of our event. We enjoyed the talks, the networking opportunities, & meeting some of our next cohort. We hoped you all enjoyed it!

EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Jun 25

It's the last day of the Summer School & we have been joined by Lucia Pavey and Megan Wood-Smith from the University of Bristol. They have talked to us about trusted research & the implications of wider collaborations.
Soon, we'll be heading off for a tour at the Bristol Digital Futures Institute!

EngBio CDT @engbiocdt.bsky.social · Jun 24

After the Biosecurity talks in the morning, the afternoon sessions involved some student led sessions. This included discussing future collaborations within their PhDs and identifying opportunities to work together. The day wrapped up with a discussion with our Scientific Advisory Board.