1984 Life Sciences alumni got together for a special reunion event on 5 May.

The alumni had the opportunity to reconnect with old classmates, reminisce about their study and see how the department is run in 2024. There was a talk from research associate Khodor Hazime about exciting research taking in the department today and there were tours of the campus in the afternoon. A fantastic time was had by all!

Research in the Department of Life Sciences today

Khodor’s presentation aimed to underscore the significance of research at Imperial. He began by highlighting Imperial’s prestigious ranking as the top university in the UK overall by REF 21, recognising outstanding research outputs and environment. He also emphasised the work carried out in the Department of Life Sciences and the commitment to encompassing the entire spectrum of modern life science activities. He showcased the diverse array of research themes, ranging from bacterial pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of disease to cell and developmental biology, infection, and immunity, among others.

Khodor also talked about work conducted within the Davis Lab, where the primary focus lies on Natural Killer cells and their crucial role in disease recognition and cancer. Khodor also introduced a novel imaging method which he co-developed, which enables the visualisation of individual cell secretions. He also discussed the concept of super-resolution microscopy and its transformative potential in enhancing our understanding of molecular organisation on cell membranes, showcasing examples of the remarkable difference between conventional and super-resolution microscopy.

Following the presentation, the alumni were given a departmental tour, providing them with a firsthand glimpse into the inner workings of the department’s research facilities. They also had the opportunity to observe two super-resolution microscopes, marvelling at the advancements in imaging technology compared to conventional fluorescence microscopy.

"It was a pleasure to engage with the alumni, exchanging insights and anecdotes about the transformative impact of research excellence at Imperial." Khodor Hazime Research Associate

Khodor said: ‘Standing before alumni who graduated four decades ago was a humbling experience. The opportunity to connect with alumni from a different generation, all hailing from the same esteemed institution, was truly unforgettable and enriching.

The response from the alumni was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing keen interest during our lunchtime discussions. It was a pleasure to engage with them, exchanging insights and anecdotes about the transformative impact of research excellence at Imperial.

One of the most remarkable parts of the event was the opportunity to engage with alumni who had completed their studies four decades ago, back when I was only two years old.  It was fascinating to hear about some of their journeys since graduating from Imperial in 1984. Their stories and experiences served as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of Imperial and its profound impact on generations of scholars and scientists.

Overall, I found this experience immensely rewarding, both personally and professionally. It was a privilege to represent the department and showcase the exceptional work being done within our scientific community. As the event concluded, I felt a profound sense of satisfaction knowing that everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the day.'

"The Life Sciences reunion was a great success. We very much appreciated the opportunity to see what the teaching labs where we had our practical classes look like now!" Peter Burt Alumnus

Peter Burt, Pure and Applied Biology Alumnus, said: ‘The Life Sciences reunion was a great success, we are very grateful indeed to all the staff and students who helped out on the day - Rebecca from the Life Sciences department, Habeeb and colleagues from the catering team, Khodor, and Tianyu and all the students who kindly gave up their day to join us and show us around. Khodor's talk was very much appreciated by everyone, and it was great to see Professor Morris again and have him with us for the day. We also very much appreciate the trouble taken by the departmental staff to dig out old photos and documents from the 1980s for us, and the opportunity to see what the teaching labs where we had our practical classes look like now.’