Profile

My name is Galina and I am currently a PhD student at Oxford University. I was born and raised in Saint Petersburg, and I moved to England when I was 17. I did my A levels in Mill Hill School, and then did an intergrated masters in Chemistry at Durham University. During my studies in school I have very much enjoyed singing in the chapel choir, as well as doing some cross-country running. I have had the best time in Durham both academically and socially, and have met the best people who I am fortunate to call my friends.

Apart from obvious interest in Chemistry, I am an avid reader and photographer. My favorite subject to photograph are flowers and capturing little nuggets of happiness during my travels. I also absolutely love horse riding and dog walking – always feel at my happiest when surrounded by nature and animals.

In 2018 I joined the Donohoe group here in Oxford and am now working on the synthesis of small molecules with therapeutic applications, working towards total synthesis of Pectenotoxin-4 (potential anti-cancer drug lead).

So my days are usually packed with action!

I try to get to laboratory by 7am (9 am latest, if I have rowing in the morning) and I tend to stay till 6pm. Majority of my work requires hands-on approach, so I spend a lot of time doing practical things. I also spend quite a bit of time analysing data and reading literature related to the subject.

At 10.30 am every day we go for a tea break with my research group which we call “brew” and it is not to be missed! I also attend lectures and seminars, they are usually held at 2 pm.

After day of uni, I like to go on a walk with friends, or play boardgames.