Profile
Zena Hadjivasiliou
Way to go Frank! And thanks to all the students for the fun questions!
My CV
-
Education:
University of Cambridge (2004-2007), Stanford University (2007-2009), UCL (2009-now)
-
Qualifications:
BA Mathematics, MSc Statistics, MRes Modelling biological complexity, PhD Mathematical Biology
-
Work History:
I’ve worked as an intern in Deloitte over a summer when I was an undergraduate, which was interesting but not my cup of tea;]. I also worked at the media library when I was studying at Stanford in California. That was really cool as I got to find out about lots of interesting films and get to know how archives work. I also did some marking for my department at Stanford, and have done lots of tutoring in maths, physics and statistics.
-
Current Job:
Research Fellow (this means I am doing science research most of my time at work)
-
Read more
My work right now is centred around the evolution of the sexes. In sexual reproduction two individuals come together to produce a new and unique individual. But why do we need males and females to have sexual reproduction? Even tiny creatures that you can only see under the microscope have some form of males and females. In fact, some of them have more than two sexes. I was surprised to find out that a species of fungus has more than 20 000 different sexes! I am trying to understand why it is that sexual reproduction cannot happen when the two individuals that come together show no differences at all in their behaviour. I use a lot of equations and computer programming to help me understand these questions.
I also use equations and computer coding to understand patterns that we see in living organisms. For example, one of my projects is about the patterns we can see on the skin of flies when we look under the microscope.
-
My Typical Day:
I do a lot of reading, thinking and computer coding!
-
Read more
I spend time coming up with equations that can help us think about biological problems! I often write computer programs to solve them and spend most of my time trying to understand what the program and equations mean. I also talk to other people a lot, it really helps me think:). I also begun studying philosophy to help me understand the way in which I am thinking and how to best develop scientific work and understand the world around us.
-
What I'd do with the prize money:
I would arrange a day long meeting at University College London for students. The activities of the day will be about the evolution of the sexes.
-
My Interview
-
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Energetic, curious and (the boring one) organised
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I was yes… Pretty badly when I was about 14. Everyone goes through their phases!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
If I had to pick just one it would be Arthur Russell, he’s a super talented musician — check him out!
What's your favourite food?
I love fish! My favourite is grilled octopus, yummmmy!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To have the funds to lead my own research forever (!), to be able to move between places instantly (is this a legit wish?!), always remember to see the positive side to things ;]
Tell us a joke.
What did zero say to eight? ——> Nice belt!!!
-