Your PGR Reps | Postgraduate Research College

Your PGR Reps

Need support or have feedback to share? Your PGR reps are here to represent your voice in both school and university-wide discussions. Reach out to your rep with any questions, ideas, or concerns as your input helps shape the future of research across the university.

School of Biological Sciences

Hi all! My name is Sean Graham, I am a third year PhD studying how Scottish heritage barley “Bere” forms its specialised root zone called “the rhizosheath” where the plant can improve degraded soils, sequester carbon, and use fertilisers more efficiently.

Before Aberdeen, I was working in Reading (England) for a tree and plant health company conducting research on mycorrhizal fungi, urban soils, and tree health. Whilst there, I enjoyed providing technical support on tree and soil management and supervising an “urban trees for the future” arboretum. My passion for plant and soil research is rooted in how people coexist with the natural environment.

I am an early career researcher rep for SULSA (Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance): I represent PhD's, Post Docs, and early stage PI's within the Aberdeen’s School of Biological Sciences to advance Scotland’s research and innovation in the life sciences through collaboration.

In my personal life, I describe myself as an active outdoors person who enjoys going for coffee, playing piano, and reading.

If you have any questions or want to share your experiences of life at the university, you can reach me on: s.graham2.23@abdn.ac.uk

School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History

Hello, I am Emily Metcalf-Corrison (she/they) and am part of the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy, and Art History. I am currently working on my PhD in Art Histoty while being a teaching assistant. I have done my undergraduate studies, 2014-18, in Divinity here at the University of Aberdeen and returned for my MTh in 2022 while also auditing the courses for the MLitt Christianity and the Visual Arts.

My research is presently titled 'Queering the Archangels: Representations and Engagement in Late Medieval Britain'. Through this project I am engaging in questions regarding materiality, queer theory, ritual magic and development of orthodoxy in iconography.

You can always come by my office HMF5 in the Humanity Manse, or contact me by email at e.metcalf-corrison.23@abdn.ac.uk

School of Law

Hello! My name is Lizeth Moreno, and I am entering my third year as a doctoral researcher at the School of Law. My research focuses on developing a viable regulatory framework for conscientious objection in medicine in Mexico, where I am from. Some of my research interests include international human rights law, public international law, and constitutional law.

When I am not focused on research and preparing for an academic career, I enjoy swimming, learning languages, and travelling.

I am happy and honoured to serve as rep. Please feel free to email me at l.morenomarquez.23@abdn.ac.uk with any PGR inquiries, questions about my research, or if you simply want to have a conversation.

School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture

Hello! I'm Loujain Alzahrani, a PhD candidate in Film and Visual Culture and a lifelong visual storyteller. I have a background in visual communication and an MFA in Digital Arts & Animation from Pratt Institute in New York. I've spent years working across the media and marketing world, and these days I freelance as a creative director and writer for animation when I'm not buried under PhD reading or chasing funding and sponsorship for PGR events. I also lecture in Film and Animation at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. I'm deeply curious about how audiences form emotional connections with characters, how they judge and empathise with them, and how they wrestle with moral conflict on screen.

When I'm not doing any of that, I'm probably drawing, running, baking, video gaming, or being dramatically yelled at by my cat, Mr Fox. I'm also passionate about making postgraduate life kinder and more joyful. As the founder and President of the PGR Society, I advocate for PGR voices, wellbeing, and mental health, and I love creating spaces where we can laugh, vent, be honest, and celebrate each other's small wins. I'm proud to say that we've built a community we genuinely love, one where friendships form easily and run deep, where we knock on each other's doors to share meals and birthday cakes on random Fridays, and where someone will always check in with you if you miss a coffee chat.

Feel free to reach out to me to share a coffee and chat over anything (or nothing really): l.alzahrani.24@abdn.ac.uk

If you have any other questions regarding the PGR Society, email us at: pgrsoc@ausa.org.uk

School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture

My Name is Anar AlRuwaie. I am from Kuwait. I am a PGR Representative from the School of Language, Literature, Music, and Visual Culture (LLMVC). I am entering into my third year as a Doctoral Researcher. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in English Language Education, a Master Degree in TESOL from the University of Glasgow, and another Master Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Kuwait University. Before that, I worked as English Language Teacher for almost 10 years teaching intermediate schools' students. I also worked as an English Language Instructor and taught Speaking, Listening, and Advanced Grammar in a foundation program at Algonquin Canadian College. I was also a Co-conference Chair of Languages in TEFL Kuwait.

My PhD research revolves around the use and the impact of Artificial Intelligence software technologies on the improvement of speaking skills of EFL students. Also, my research interests are in the following areas: Assessments using Videogames, Teaching Grammar using songs, and Digital Literacies.

Outside Academia, I am a Coffee Lover! I like Music and Lavender too!

I am here to help you! So, if you want to have a chat, you are welcome to do so.

My office location is: Old Brewery, OBG 07, and I can be reached by email as well: a.alruwaie.22@abdn.ac.uk

School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition

My name is Lara and I'm originally from the Scottish Highlands. I have strong ties to The University having graduated with both MA English and MSc Human Nutrition, before completing a temporary Teaching Assistant role within the SMMSN.

My diverse background has led me to an interdisciplinary project that I am truly passionate about, exploring the relationship between glycaemic control and exercise chronobiology across different phases of the menstrual cycle.

Outside of academia, I like to keep active with bodybuilding, pole dancing and swing dancing. I also enjoy reading and spending time with my friends.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions/queries, or if you just want to chat: L.dasar.24@abdn.ac.uk.

School of Psychology

Hello! My name is Apoorva (Ria) Amirapu, and I joined the University in 2018 as an undergraduate student. After completing my BSc in Psychology (First Class Honours, 2022) and MRes in Psychology (Distinction, 2025), I began my PhD in 2025, focusing on safety and decision-making in the UK nuclear sector. My doctoral research examines Operational Decision-Making (ODM) within the UK nuclear industry.

My background in psychology includes the publication of my undergraduate thesis, “Disordered eating in female Indian students during the COVID-19 pandemic: The potential role of family,” in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, which has since been included in the WHO COVID-19 Research Database. Following my degree, I worked as an Assistant Psychologist with NHS Grampian in 2023. I have extensive experience across clinical psychology, human factors, and research.

In addition to my role as a Postgraduate Research (PGR) Representative, I serve as the Events and Community Engagement Lead for the Staff and Postgraduate LGBTQ+ Network and am an active member of the Applied Psychology and Human Factors (APHF) group. Within the School of Psychology, I teach undergraduate workshops and act as an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) representative. Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is central to my work, and I am keen to support initiatives that help ensure the University is a welcoming space for all. I am pleased to serve as a PGR representative, please feel free to contact me at a.amirapu.25@abdn.ac.uk.