We are the Macquarie_Australia 2019 iGEM team: Team HyDRA! We are a collective of 11 students from across the globe, working together in sunny Sydney.

Alice Edwards

I’m in my 4th and final year studying Advanced Biomolecular Science at Macquarie University, and I hope to find work as a medical researcher after I graduate. I am interested in stem cells, gut microflora, and ethnopharmacology. I signed up for iGEM because I love working as part of a team, doing scientific research, and am passionate about science communication.

Anika Reza

I’m in my 3rd year of my Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree at Macquarie University. I plan to do a postgraduate in medicine after my graduation. I loved the iGEM approach to using both theory and practical skills learned inside our labs and using those to delve further into the solving of real-life problems. A side interest of mine would be research in neuroscience. In my spare time, I focus and work on my food blog and write fiction

Carly Carter

I am in the final year of my degree at Macquarie University studying medical science, with an interest in synthetic biology and genetics. My main motivation for joining the iGEM team is to experience how science and research is conducted outside of a classroom setting, but my competitive spirit can also be attributed. Outside of the labs, you will most likely find my nose in a horror novel or drinking coffee, often at the same time.

Daniel Hulleza

Hi! I am in my final year of uni *fingers crossed* studying medical science. I decided to join iGEM because I wanted to be more engaged with university projects and be able to experience what it is like to be a part of a research project. When I first learned about synthetic biology in one of my lectures, I found it really cool that we are able to engineer organisms to be predictable and manipulate it into something useful to the environment. Generic fun fact: I like pineapples on pizza.

Elijah Gibbons

Hello everyone. I’m in my final semester for Bachelor of Medical Sciences and things are getting busy. To ease my mind I enjoy playing music, eating, going to the beach and watching cricket. I wanted to do iGEM because I love working in the lab and solving scientific problems, not to mention it’s also given me the opportunity to meet all the other fantastic people in the team. Some more things about me is that my favourite film of all time is Monsters Inc (understandably), I love scuba diving and I have an extensive coin collection.

Hannah Zhu

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science, and I am in my first year of Master of Research in Molecular Sciences at Macquarie University. I plan to do a PhD focusing on neuroscience and become a medical researcher. I joined iGem because I love working in the lab and playing with microbes. These tiny little fellows are fascinating – they cannot be seen by naked eyes, but they are everywhere! Besides, I love reading books in my spare time.

Jerresa Jabson

I’m in my final year of completing a Bachelor of Medical Sciences at Macquarie University. After graduating, I hope to complete further studies in the fields of radiology or radiopharmaceuticals. I chose to participate in iGEM because I wanted to experience how theory learned throughout my degree can be applied to real life issues, and to make a positive contribution to the scientific community. I enjoy drinking bubble tea and watching action movies.

Josip Mujic

Hey! I’m in what I hope to be my final semester of my Bachelor of Science. This is my second time working as part of the Macquarie University iGEM team. I want to further develop my research skills and knowledge since I aim to take this experience into post graduate studies. Some of my favourite things to do include cooking, baking, eating and sleeping. However a good party, book, movie or YouTube rabbit hole never goes astray.

Sam Beach

I’ve got a collection of over 500 movies (my favourite is The Good, The Bad and The Ugly) that I spend way too much time watching. I love hiking, running, and taking photos, my favourite job that I’ve ever had was doing pizza delivery (what’s to complain about eating free pizza and listening to audiobooks all day?). I’m in my last semester my Bachelor’s degree, majoring in molecular sciences. I’m hoping to eventually get into a PhD program working on synthetic biology applications for extraplanetary habitation, but I’m also hoping I can get some time off before then to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

Tasneem Khandaker

I am somewhat of a candle hoarder with a healthy obsession of X-men. I’ve always wanted to have mutant powers - especially Jean Grey’s telekinetic abilities because let’s face it, what’s better than transporting food towards you instead of getting up for it? I am in my final year of my Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree. After graduating I hope to continue my studies in research and science due to my passion for learning, which is why I joined the iGEM team. When I’m not in the lab you’ll find me hidden away in my cave with a lit candle, watching netflix.

Zoe Wong

I’m a third-year Medical Sciences student at Macquarie University. First impressions of me include being a shy and quiet person, which is true for the first few months *enter wink*. Although I know not all stories end with a happy ending, I’m still a sucker for these endings. I’m learning to cope with sad, teary endings with anime series. Joining iGEM has allowed me to know all these amazing people in my team.

Team:Macquarie Australia/Team

MEET THE TEAM

Team: HyDRA