皇家华人

Building support networks and communities have long been part of UCL molecular and cell biology聽alumna, Nicole McKnight鈥檚 life. In fact, she is so passionate about the value of communities that she has made it her life鈥檚 work.聽

Nicole co-founded the聽, a non-profit organisation that provides acceleration programming for entrepreneurial scientists and very early-stage companies.

In 2014, she joined聽, a premier co-working space with wet labs for biotech startups in Manhattan, and part of the BioLabs Network with sites across the U.S.

A significant part of both KiiLN and BioLabs鈥� missions are grounded in providing networking, mentoring and educational support.聽鈥淲e know that scientists learn a lot from each other and through experience. So it is powerful that scientists are able to talk to each other. This is what we are trying to facilitate with KiiLN and BioLabs,鈥� says Nicole.

This essential truth is one Nicole discovered through her own life, including her experience at 皇家华人.聽

鈥�鈥淪tudying a PhD, particularly in science, can be lonely and isolating. These traits are detrimental to a scientist鈥檚 success.You have to expand beyond the academic lab and gain entrepreneurial skills to be able to have the technology commercialised. It helps to have a network of people to connect with,鈥� said Nicole.聽

A connection that has come full circle

Nicole鈥檚 passion for encouraging growth and innovation in the life science community has spilled over to education.聽

Once a scholarship recipient herself, Nicole joined the聽聽board last year to give back to the community that helped her.聽The UCLFAA exists to raise awareness and support for research and education at 皇家华人 and gives US students access to education and scholarships opportunities at 皇家华人, whilst also promoting the university鈥檚 current philanthropic campaign,聽Its All Academic.

Nicole commented: 鈥渋t is essential for the industry to collaborate and develop research in a global sense so that the incredible discoveries scientists make can have a tangible impact on society. Equally so, it鈥檚 really important that the UCLFAA supports students and alumni in developing these global connections.鈥�

A lifelong connection with UCL

Nicole鈥檚 found her own university experience useful, not just for what she learned but also for the network it gave her access to.

鈥淚t has been really nice to stay connected and meet other alumni. It鈥檚 impressive getting to know all the different ways people have studied at the university 鈥� some attended for just one semester abroad while others have spent many years,鈥� commented Nicole.聽

Nicole reminds us of the value alumni communities have, stating: 鈥渢hose who were once classmates may be business owners or CEOs today. Starting a successful company can be hard and these contacts could be invaluable one day鈥�.聽

Find your community聽

Want to connect with fellow alumni in your area? There are opportunities to connect, network and volunteer through the聽.