Alumni activities

Find out about our Faculty alumni community, register for our alumni events and download the latest newsletter.

Alumni Summer Reception

4 July 2024, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Anatomy Building (Gavin de Beer Lecture Theatre)

Professor Simon Gaisford will delve into the fascinating world of the human gut, with a particular emphasis on the microbiota—the diverse collection of microorganisms that reside within us. He will examine how imbalances in the microbiota are implicated in a range of diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Drawing on his extensive research, Professor Gaisford will discuss the potential benefits of probiotic supplements in managing and improving gut health.

Join us for an engaging exploration of the critical role that gut health plays in our overall well-being. The talk will provide insights into the latest scientific findings and offer practical advice on maintaining a healthy gut microbiota.

Following the talk, attendees are invited to a reception at the Grant Museum, where they will have the opportunity to continue the discussion, network with fellow attendees, and enjoy light refreshments in a unique and stimulating environment. Don’t miss this chance to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between gut health and disease and to engage with experts in the field.

Previous Faculty of Life Sciences alumni events

2024 FLS Anne McLaren Lecture Celebrating Women in Science
24 April 2024, 4:00pm-7:00pm
Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre
Professor Uchegbu spoke about the design, synthesis and construction of nanotechnologies and nanoenabled medicine candidates and their translation into human medicines. This research is aimed at addressing significant unmet medical need.

FLS Alumni Lecture: Past Lives
29 February 2024, 6:00pm–8:00pm
UCL Anatomy Building

Dr Laura Porro, UCL Department of Cell & Developmental Biology and Centre for Integrative Anatomy, gave the Winter Faculty of Life Sciences Alumni lecture. 

Laura detailed her recent work exploring the evolution of skull form and function across two major evolutionary transitions: the conquest of the land by vertebrates nearly 400 million years ago and the rise of early dinosaurs to dominate life on land.

Bench to Bedside: bringing insights from basic research towards treatment for patients 
5 February 2020, 6:30pm–8:30pm
Cruciform Building

UCL Life Sciences alumni were invited to hear Professor Stephanie Schorge reveal how basic 'blue sky' research into the behaviour of neurons has led to funding for a clinical trial to treat patients with severe epilepsy. Building on UCL’s neuroscience tradition, they explored how mutations in human genes that cause neurological disease such as epilepsy, cause the behaviours of neurons to change. Stephanie presented how the first study of gene therapy in a rat model of epilepsy was able to stop seizures. Since this first study, Stephanie and her collaborators have developed a portfolio of new possible ways to stop seizure activity in different models.

Stephanie commented ‘This work represents the best of collaboration at UCL, where basic scientists in NPP, clinicians and scientists in the Queen Square ION, as well as surgeons in the NHNN, and experts in translational neuroscience at the School of Pharmacy have joined together to bring basic research through to clinical trial.’