UCL Healthy Planet: meet the committee
Ruth Laurence-King - conference co-president
I got involved in Healthy Planet through an interest in global health and enjoy how diverse the subject is and that there are concrete things that we as students are able to do. I want to work with people from lots of different backgrounds and also focus on more medicine related issues such as making healthcare more sustainable especially through innovative technology and IT. 
Rikke Le Kirkegaard
I'm a branched off medical student from Denmark doing an MSc in Global Health and Development at UCL. Although I have always been very interested in the topic, I have become particularly interested in the connection between climate change and health after an internship working on sustainability in the health sector. 
Tom Merewether - events coordinator
I'm a 2nd year medic interested in the broad subject of Climate Change and Health, but more specifically its healthcare-related aspects. I'm helping to set up the Healthy Planet SSC for the medical school. 
Satomi Ogino - schools project
Hello! I'm Satomi, one of the schools project coordinators. I am currently a first-year undergraduate student reading Geography BSc at UCL, with a particular interest in ecology and sustainable development in society meeting its local demand of changing environment and culture. What I aim to do in this group is to contribute to providing as many people as possible with various opportunities to share their understanding of strong interrelationship between the environment and our societies. Besides, I am personally very eager to extend our action to Japan some point in a practical way since I believe my home should also play a leading role in the field of such global actions. Come join us to bring any of your ideas! 
Roshni Patel - schools project
3rd year medical student specialising in philosophy, politics and economics of health as part of my iBSc. I'm particularly interested in how our environment affects our health, and see this as a blossoming topic of research and debate! 
Venice Li
Hello! I am Venice, a first year Biomedical Sciences student from Hong Kong. I am very interested in healthcare and environmental related policies and world issues. I believe that young people have the power and the responsibility to create a sustainable planet for our future generations. With intercultural understanding and effort, it is definitely possible to spread this brilliant idea across continents and I am eager to be one of the pioneers! :D |
May Zhang - conference co-president
I'm an international student currently studying BSc Human Sciences at UCL. Growing up in Shanghai, I'm interested in the impact of urbanization on individuals and the community, and eager to make a difference. 
Meesha Patel - secretary
Hi! I'm a second year Natural Sciences student at UCL studying Genetics, Evolution and Environment and Organic Chemistry. My interest for the environment stemmed from my granddad who was a keen horticulturalist. From a young age I was brought up to understand the fragile balance between humans and the environment and since then I have been an advocate for the preservation of the environment. I think it is important for people to be aware of the effects climate change could have on human health so that we can work towards a more sustainable future. 
Emma Allan - treasurer
I'm treasurer in this year's committee and am a fourth year medical student at UCL. Last year I obtained an intercalated BSc in Physiology. I am eager to raise awareness about the effects of environmental change on the world and on our health. I have a keen interest in finance and am excited to work with the rest of the committee to create a jam-packed and successful conference! 
Jonny Lui - publicity and outreach
While studying at UWC Atlantic College, I was the chair of the Sustainability Council. I worked as a facilitator at the 2013 Pearson Youth Leadership Seminar. This included practically exploring how indigenous tribal traditions and values relate to the environment, community and sustainability. 
Ezme Cohen - conference logistics
I am a second year medical student and have been involved with Healthy Planet UCL since September 2013. I believe that the affects of climate change are critically important not just concerning damage to the planet but for the future of human health. As raising awareness is one of the first steps towards change, I am excited to be taking on the role of Logistics Manager for the conference which we are running in early 2014. 
Elliott Clissold - web manager
I'm a student at St George's, University of London and currently in my first year of medicine - I'm involved with the UCL branch to see how it works and hopefully take Healthy Planet to St. George's next year. I see climate change as the greatest global challenge to sustaining our health and wellbeing and am interested in raising awareness of the links between climate and health. 
Mikaela Lindstedt - schools project
I’m a second year Human Sciences student at UCL studying biological anthropology, evolution and politics. I am interested in the interplay between humans and their environment. Environmental awareness is key to change, and through our schools project I wish to create a fun introduction for schoolchildren to climate change and health related issues, by showing that acts that are good for our planet are often also good for our health and wellbeing. |
