Meet the Library Student Team!
The Library Student Team, as both Library staff, and current students, are an integral part of the Teaching, Learning and Students team at the Library. The team is composed of students from different levels of study, Faculties and background.
We are a group of students (UG, PGT, and PGR) who work with the wider Teaching, Learning and Student Experience (TLS) team at the University of Manchester Library. The Student Team is at the heart of the Library, always informing and shaping the resources available to students. Every shift is different for us, but here are some of our priorities:
- Assist with the delivery of teaching and learning at the Library by facilitating workshops, drop-ins, and the day-to-day operations.
- Create, improve, and quality-assure digital content such as infographics, videos, blogs, and podcasts to supplement Library’s activities.
- Promote the resources and support available at the Library, increasing the engagement with students.
- Represent the student voice by sharing varied experiences on-campus, making sure that the resources and support available at the Library satisfies students’ needs and interests.
But this is not all we do! Check out the Teaching Excellence video to hear some of the amazing projects we have been working on, and have a read through our Medium page to find out more about the Student Team.
Meet the Student Team!
Olivia Mak
Email: olivia.mak@manchester.ac.uk
PhD Psychology
Hey everyone! I’m in the final year of my PhD and did a MSc in Neuroimaging for Clinical & Cognitive Neuroscience here too. I’m a Student Team veteran, having been on the team for 4 years! In my spare time, I like yoga, playing racket sports (I count table tennis in that!), watching/reading things in Spanish and writing poetry.
Fatima Abdullahi
Email: fatima.abdullahi@student.manchester.ac.uk
BSc Material Science and Engineering
I’m Fatima and I’m in my final year of Material science, I’ve been with the student team for 3 years and enjoy reading in my downtime
Rachel Cox
Email: rachel.cox-2@manchester.ac.uk
PhD Fashion Management and Marketing
Hi everyone! I’m in my second year of my PhD in Fashion Management and Marketing. My topic focus explores the impact of information technology on garment workers. I previously graduated with a PGCert in Sociology in 2021 and a BSc in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from UoM in 2019. I’m originally from Cheshire but have visited Manchester since I was 11. I love music, reading, environmental and sustainability work, knitting, films, cooking and Yoga (qualified to teach too). Oh, and I love dachshunds too! I’m a member of the UoM Pole and Burlesque society which has been one of the most empowering experiences during my time at the University. Really looking forward to getting to know and work with you all and happy to answer your questions! :)
Sara Knurowska
Email: sara.knurowska@student.manchester.ac.uk
BSc (Hons) Biotechnology
Hello all! I am Sara, a final year Biotechnology student, interested in plant biotech, bioremediation and sustainability. Throughout my time, I’ve been strongly involved with the FBMH and the events, competitions and meetups offered by the school. If you’re a scientist and interested in iGEM, Talking Science and more, say hi!
Lily Pearson
Email: lily.pearson@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
PhD History
Hi! I’m a final year PhD student and teaching assistant in History. I also did my Undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Manchester. I’ve been part of the student team for a year and a half now and my favourite things to get involved with are widening participation events and assisting workshops. Outside of my degree, I love watching sport (especially football!), going out to eat and going on walks!
Charmaine Lai
Email: charmaine.lai@student.manchester.ac.uk.
LLB Law
I’m currently a third-year law student and a member of the ST! I am currently working as a student advisor at the LAC of the university and working on improving my applications for various legal opportunities. When I’m working as an ST member, I love taking on tasks that require designing through Canva. My interests also include the MBTI personality types, personal colour palette analysis, horoscopes, Asian dramas and K-pop. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to have a chat (about anything)!
Durian Maholtra
Email: divya.maholtra@student.manchester.ac.uk
MEnvSci Environmental Science
Hi I’m Durian, an environmental science student with a specialization in ecology, evolution and conservation biology. Along with library student team, I’m a student partner assessment framework intern and student ambassador for my course. In my free time (if I’ve got any), I love writing, cooking and frolicking in nature.
Angelica Islam
Email: angelica.islam@student.manchester.ac.uk
BSc Criminology
Hi! My name is Angelica and I’m a 3rd year Criminology student. I’m also the GenSec for the Gift Project, a community outreach initiative created by the Isocs of both UoM and MMU. Find out more about what we do on our IG @gift_project!
Syeda Kazmi
Email: Syeda.Kazmi-3@student.manchester.ac.uk
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
Hello, my name is Syeda! I’ve been on the Library Student Team for just over a semester and I’m a second-year medical student. In my free time, I love learning languages and being creative!
Pranav Bharadwaj Gangrekalve Manoj
Email: pranav.gangrekalvemanoj@student.manchester.ac.uk
MPhys Physics with Astrophysics
Hi! I’m in the fourth year of my degree in Physics with Astrophysics. I’ve been with the Library Student Team for more than 9 months and I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far. Besides learning about the machinery of our universe, I also enjoy going on hikes and creating music on GarageBand. I’m also heavily involved with the University of Manchester’s Physics Outreach (UMPO) which is an organisation that conducts outreach in several events including Bluedot and ScienceX. At the Library Student Team, I like working on data analysis and creating charts and reports
Fariha Agha
Email: fariha.agha@student.manchester.ac.uk
BSc Public Health
Hi! I’m Fariha, and I’m in my second year of Public Health. I’ve been on the student team for over 8 months now, and I’ve really enjoyed getting involved with student voice work and widening participation workshops! In my (not so) free time I volunteer for a zoo and I’m a student ambassador for a mental health charity — I’m also a student partner intern for assessment and policy (within university). Outside of these roles you’ll find me learning languages, watching dramas or eating tangerines 🥹
Ashleigh Glazzard
Email: ashleigh.glazzard@student.manchester.ac.uk
BSc Speech and Language Therapy
Hi! I’m a 1st year Speech and Language Therapy student, but I’ve been at the university before as you can see, so already have a BA in English Language in French. I’m a student rep for my current course, and a Content Creator for the Factulty of Biology, Medicine and Health — I am working on getting super involved in the uni for my 2nd time around as this time I don’t have the joys/horrors of living in shared student housing! Outside of these roles, I have my hands full with a little one, so I’m usually busy doing lots of child-friendly activities, but I also love to read, write, and keep my Duolingo streak going!
Annabelle Miller
Email: annabelle.miller-blundell@student.manchester.ac.uk
BA Politics and Spanish
Hi, I’m Annabelle and I’m a final year Politics and Spanish student. I’m new to the team and I’m loving getting stuck into different tasks, meeting students at drop-ins and workshops and working with the rest of the team! In my free time I like to do yoga, watch cheesy American sitcoms and spend way too much time talking about my year abroad!
Bethany Webster
Email: bethany.webster@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
MA Global Development
Hi everyone! I’m Bethany, a masters student studying global development (environment and climate change) at the university, with my specific areas of interest being climate disaster risk management and environmental conservation. When I’m not busy with my course I also work as an ambassador for my department; and volunteer for the organisation ‘missing maps’ where we work to create map data for areas missing on maps used by humanitarian organisations to support those living in areas at risk. In my free time, I love running and as well as training for a marathon, I volunteer with the university running group run wild helping with events and leading sessions to increase people’s confidence in running. I have only been in the library student team for less than a month, but I love it and can’t wait to get more involved!
Preenal Asher
Email: preenal.asher@student.manchester.ac.uk
BSc Actuarial Science and Maths
Hi! I’m Preenal and I’m currently in my second year of Actuarial Science. I recently joined the student team and the best part is working along with a diverse team of both students and staff. During my free time, I enjoy watching tv shows and cooking. A fun fact about me; I can speak up to five languages! If you have any questions or just want to talk, please feel free to reach out :)
Kai Prince
Email: kai.prince@manchester.ac.uk
PhD Mathematics
Hello there! I am Kai Prince, a part-time ADHD student doing a PhD in Maths. I did my MMath here at the University of Manchester between 2018–2022 and was part of the MathSoc Committee between 2021 and 2023. I have been a Student Rep since 2021 and have been running the ‘UoM Maths Discord’, as well as working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant since 2022. More recently, I became a Secretary of the Disabled Staff Network, the Inclusion Officer of the Postgraduate Researchers Association, and joined as a Library Student Team Member! As you can tell, my main hobby is actively acquiring numerous projects relating to Student Experience and EDIA! If I ever have time, I also like to game, watch shows or movies, and occasionally play the Piano.
Sumayyah Hussainy
Email: sumayyah.hussainy@student.manchester.ac.uk
BDS Dentistry
Hi everyone! I’m Sumayyah and I’m a 5th year Dental student and a member of the Student Team. In my free time, I love taking walks in nature, baking and learning new languages!
Chloe Burke
Email: chloe.burke@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies
Hello! My name is Chloe and I’m a part-time Masters student in the Institute for Cultural Practices. I’m also a course rep for AGMS and an object-handling volunteer at Manchester Museum’s Collections Reimagined Gallery. Outside of work, I love all things museums (obviously), films, cocktail-making, makeup and video games.
Namrata Sharad Wasnik
Email: namratasharad.wasnik@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
MSc Organisational Psychology
Hey there! I’m Namrata, currently pursuing my Masters degree in Organisational Psychology. I recently joined the Library Student Team and it’s been super exciting because I’m always picking up something new. I enjoy engaging with diverse perspectives, expressing myself through art journalling and discovering new things around me.
Dhillon Dhass Zhao
Email: dhillon.dhasszhao@student.manchester.ac.uk
BEng Mechanical Engineering
Hey there! I’m Dhillon, a Mechanical Engineering student from Malaysia. Being a part of the Library Team has been eye-opening, dynamic and really, really fun.
Outside of the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons and the Main Library, I am also the Vice President of the Mechanical Engineering Society and of Hyperloop Manchester. It’s a lot of time commitment, but I am excited about how both have a direct impact on students and the latter has the opportunity to change the world in the long run, which definitely drives me forward.
When I have the time, you’ll find me doing something social, or if I’m by myself I’ll be playing guitar, piano, singing and learning music, adventuring with a long stroll, learning languages(maintenant je parle tres peu francais, comment ca va?) or reading a book, preferably in a park.
Adrian Kosikowski
Email: adrian.kosikowski@student.manchester.ac.uk
BEng Mechatronic Engineering
Hi! I’m Adrian, a foundation year student studying Mechatronic engineering. I have only just joined the student team, so when I am not getting lost trying to find my way around the library, I enjoy helping out with all the workshops and events that we provide. In my free time I enjoy baking as well as taking apart random devices to figure out how they work.
Marielle Dick
Email: marielle.dick@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
MA Humanitarianism and Conflict Response
Hi! I’m Marielle, I’m an international student from Trinidad and Tobago doing a Master of Arts in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response. Being on the student team has been an immersive experience and so far I’ve enjoyed being involved in widening participation projects. When I’m not at uni, I’m usually volunteering with either refugees or assembling period care packages for those who experience period poverty. I absolutely love to travel and experience new cultures. In my downtime I enjoy playing the piano, baking sweet treats and mostly eating chocolate and listening to soca.
Management Team
Head of Teaching and Learning Development: Jennie Blake (jennie.blake@manchester.ac.uk)
Teaching, Learning & Student Coordinator: Michael Roughley (michael.roughley@manchester.ac.uk)
Teaching And Learning Assistant: Kathryn Miller (kathryn.miller@manchester.ac.uk)
Widening Participation Coordinator: Adam Cooke (adam.cooke@manchester.ac.uk)
Teaching Learning & Students Intern
Widening Participation Intern: Iqra Malik
(iqra.malik@manchester.ac.uk)
TLS Intern: Tabita Gabriela-Juravle
(tabita-gabriela.juravle@manchester.ac.uk)
