Extra blocks

At Queen’s, world-changing research sometimes begins in the most everyday places, including over lunch in the Senior Common Room.

A conversation between neuroscientist Dr David Menassa and applied mathematician Prof José Carrillo uncovered an unexpected overlap in their work on microglial development, the brain’s immune cells. That serendipitous moment sparked an international collaboration and has now revealed a fundamental “switch” in early brain development.

The team’s work shows how bringing different disciplines into the same room (literally) accelerates discovery. Mathematical modelling predicted a key developmental transition before it had ever been observed; new experiments confirmed it. Together, the researchers uncovered an early window of vulnerability that could shape our understanding of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease.

This is Queen’s at its best: a collegiate environment where ideas cross tables, disciplines, and borders and where curiosity leads to real breakthroughs.

🔗 Read the full story and access the paper online: ow.ly/uQVJ50XyAoE

#Neuroscience #MathematicsInScience #ResearchCollaboration #BrainDevelopment #InterdisciplinaryResearch #Neurodevelopment #ScientificBreakthroughs #AcademicCommunity #InnovativeThinking ... See MoreSee Less

Beyond the verdict: what justice really means

In our latest blogpost, Clarendon Scholar and Queen’s DPhil student Taqbir Huda reflects on Bangladesh’s July revolution, international human rights law, and the uneasy role that social media and digital evidence now play in shaping public understanding of atrocity.

Drawing on his work documenting state violence, verifying digital evidence, and navigating the challenges posed by AI-generated content, Taqbir argues that justice must be more than symbolic.

Fresh from interviews with Al Jazeera and DW, he speaks candidly about due process, reparations, and how his studies at Queen’s shape his approach to international law.

🔗 ow.ly/5HkR50Xy1Zk

#HumanRightsLaw #DigitalEvidence #InternationalLaw #DueProcess #Reparations #BangladeshHistory #AcademicInsights #AIAndLaw ... See MoreSee Less

Warmest congratulations to Dan Kelly (Mathematics, 2021) who has received two University prizes: the Gibbs Prize for his dissertation and the IMA Prize for excellent performance in his final exams.

“Being encouraged to push the boundaries of my understanding made me see maths as the creative and investigative pursuit that it is.” — Dan

We asked Dan what drew him to maths and what life at Queen’s has been like.

🔗 Read Dan’s full interview and his advice for prospective applicants: ow.ly/YKiS50XxkFb

#Mathematics #AcademicExcellence #StudentSuccess #MathsCommunity #InspiringStudents #HigherEducation #UniversityAwards #MathsatOxford ... See MoreSee Less

The College warmly congratulates fourth-year Medical student Danny McAlea, who has been awarded both the British Pharmacological Society Clinical Undergraduate Prize for Intercalated Research Project and the University’s Wronker Grant for excellent performance in the Honour School of Medical Sciences.

Danny’s research in the Radcliffe Department of Cardiovascular Medicine investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation, focusing on the role of calcitonin receptors in reducing cardiac fibrosis. His work contributes to a deeper understanding of this common and serious heart condition.

Reflecting on his time at Queen’s so far, Danny shared:

“I can think of no better place to have spent the last few years and wouldn’t change it for the world.”

🔗 Read more about Danny’s research and reflections on studying Medicine at Oxford: ow.ly/OiO550Xto7x

#MedicalResearch #StudentAchievement #CardiovascularMedicine #AtrialFibrillation #OxfordMedicine #UndergraduateResearch #MedicalSciences #AcademicExcellence ... See MoreSee Less