Meet The Student Team!

This year we have a perfect blend of fresh faces with new ideas and experienced guiding hands in the student team. To introduce (and re-introduce) everyone you could see walking around our library sites offering their wisdom and support this year, we’ve put together a collection of short bios. Hope you enjoy and please reach out to us with any queries!

Alice Baggott:

Hi there! I’m Alice, a 3rd year BA Social Anthropology and Sociology student. I have just joined the library student team and am really excited to get stuck in. Through my degree I have developed an interest in museum and gallery spaces and am hoping to develop this further with my new role in the team. Outside of my degree I am involved with FUSE FM- the student radio station here in Manchester and also love to explore the city, especially live music venues.

Tabitha (Tabby) Glennon:

Hi everyone! I’m a current English Literature undergraduate student, and I’ve just started my final year here at Manchester. I absolutely love the city and going to university here, and can’t wait to get involved in life in the library. When I’m not working on my degree, you’ll be able to find me spending time with my friends and coursemates, trying out all the restaurants, bars, and other activities that Manchester has to offer! I am a huge lover of travel, and I’m always up for a chat about life in Manchester and beyond. I’m really looking forward to being a friendly face and a helping hand and I’m always happy to answer any questions you may have! :)

Chloe Burke:

Hello! My name is Chloe and I’m apart-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.

Preenal Asher:

Hi! I’m Preenal, a third-year Actuarial Science student. Outside of studies, I enjoy cooking and watching TV shows. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat about anything :)

Namrata Sharad Wasnik:

Hey there! I’m Namrata, I’ve recently finished my Masters degree in Organisational Psychology. I have been a part of the Library Student Team for almost a year now 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:

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.

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.

Dhruv Mistry:

MMath & Phys(Hons) Maths & Phys

Hi, I’m Dhruv. I am in my final year of my course exploring interesting problems in non-linear dynamics from granular to microfluidics. In my free time I spend time reading books, doing photography (nature and astro) and random DIY projects (etching glass and engraving stones). I have three cats, Tipu (British short hair), Chiku (European tabby) and Sunday (a black cat). If you have any questions about research, please do reach out, I’m happy to answer!

Kai Prince:

Email: kai.prince@manchester.ac.uk
Part-Time PhD Mathematical Sciences

Hello there! I am Kai Prince, an ADHD student doing a part-time 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 the President of the Disabled Students Society, the Inclusion Officer of the Postgraduate Researchers Association, and Co-Chair of the Neurodivergent Staff Network, all whilst working 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.

Sarah-Sonia Balan:

Hi! I’m Sonia, I’m currently a 2nd year Pure Mathematics student. I am a new member of the Library Student Team but in the past year I’ve been the Student Development secretary of MathSoc. This year I have also joined the PASS scheme for Maths and I became a Student Rep for the Faculty of Science and Engineering. But Maths is certainly not the only thing that occupies my mind — I love listening to music, I like reading (mostly philosophy and other essays) and I want to improve my writing skills, so this motivated me to start a personal blog where I analyse the concepts that I most resonate with.

Adrian Kosikowski:

Hi! I’m Adrian, a first year student studying Mechatronic Engineering. Whilst I still get lost trying to find my way around the library, I enjoy helping out with all the academic 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:

Hi! I’m Marielle, I’m an international student from Trinidad and Tobago completing 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 or travelling as I absolutely love to travel and experience new cultures…currently on my 23rd country. In my downtime I enjoy playing the piano, baking sweet treats and mostly eating chocolate and listening to soca. Fun fact about me: I speak 3 languages!

Raheel Ansari:

Hey! I am Raheel, a 2nd-year Mechanical Engineering student. I came to the UK in 2021, and it’s been quite the ride — filled with challenges, surprises, and a few unexpected miracles. My latest “Expecto Patronum” moment? Going from flipping burgers to flipping university policy papers when I got elected as the officer for the Faculty of Science and Engineering in 2023.

When I’m not buried in work, you’ll find me jamming on my guitar (7 years strong and still rocking). Earlier this year, I went all-out adventurer and took an 18-day solo trip — definitely one of my most epic experiences. I also go through intense reading phases where I finish a book in a week, only to get stuck on the same page of another for a month. Relatable? Lately, I have been exploring WordPress, and after two months of trial and error, I managed to build my own website from scratch!

Check it out to learn more about me and my work: raheelansari.com

Lily Pearson:

Hi, I’m Lily! I’m in the last few months of a PhD in History and have been in the student team for two and a half years. My favourite parts of the ST role that I am involved with are widening participation events and helping to deliver teaching sessions. Outside of my degree, I love watching football and going for walks :)

Szaffi Jarbath:

Hi, my name is Szaffi! I’m a final year Law with International Study student and just got back from a year of study in Warsaw, Poland. I joined the Student Library Team in my second year and am excited to continue contributing to the team throughout my final year! In my free time, I like volunteering to translate for charities, cooking and learning new languages.

Rachel Cox:

Hi, I’m Rachel, a final year PhD researcher in sustainable fashion. I have been at the University since 2015 my Undergraduate in Fashion Buying and Merchandising having done an internship and PGCert in between then and now. I am also a music artist and love being creative. I write lots about my experience as a neurodivergent woman as well as general life experiences.

Fariha Agha:

Hi! I’m Fariha, and I’m in my third 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 🥹

Thank you for reading! We are a team of students dedicated to making the library a community, to meet us come along to our Snack and Chats in the AGLC on Fridays or come along to a library workshop or drop-in. We’ll be around to help out in any way we can, always with biscuits and tea to hand!