Meet the WCR Committee for 2025-2026. The role of the WCR Committee is to liaise with the College and wider University community on behalf of graduates and to ensure the welfare of WCR members. The WCR organises everything from welfare activities such as crafting and yoga to lively social events including music nights, exchange dinners and pub quizzes.

President: Ben Willis
(2023, DPhil in History)

Ben is a second-year DPhil in History, looking at the politics of time in nineteenth-century America. Before arriving at Univ, he completed a BA and MPhil at Cambridge. He was the WCR Social Secretary from 2024-2025.

When not reading obscure American texts or fretting about the passage of time, Ben can often be found consuming dangerous amounts of black coffee, playing cricket, or playing (badly) Aussie Rules Football.

Vice President: Holly James Johnston
(2019, DPhil in English)

Holly, who was last year’s WCR President, is reading for a DPhil in English. Holly grew up in London and completed their undergraduate degree at University College London, before coming to Univ in 2019 for their Master’s. Outside of their academic work, Holly performs as the drag king “Orlando”, a dandy with good hair and a pretty face.

External Affairs Officer: Samuel Chun Hei Lam
(2022, DPhil in Mathematics)

Samuel Lam is currently a member of CDT Mathematics of Random Systems. Prior to Univ, Samuel resided in Hong Kong before moving to London to read Mathematics at Imperial College. Over the course of his studies, he developed a keen interest in theories of statistical learning – a field that he would like to further explore while at Univ.

This is Samuel’s third term as the External Affairs Officer. With the role being reformed as part of the 2024 Constitutional change. Outside of the committee, Samuel is a tenor in the Chapel Choir and has been actively engaged in the Music Society and PedroSoc.

Environment Officer – Antonio Pattori
(2023, DPhil in History)

Antonio, who was formerly the WCR Social Secretary, is currently completing a DPhil in History, looking at political conspiracies in late Renaissance Italy. Before arriving at Univ for his DPhil, he studied at New College and St Hugh’s College.

When not reading about plotting, poisonings and assassinations in 16th century Italy, Antonio can be found drawing caricatures, playing squash or running around (both as a sport and as a general vibe)!

Social Secretary: Gabriel Pereira
(2024, DPhil in Engineering Science)

Gabriel is a DPhil student in Engineering Science, working on algorithms and software for large-scale convex optimisation. Before this he was an undergraduate at Bristol and a Master’s student at St Cross College.

Aside from debugging (increasingly messy) code, he enjoys playing guitar, reading, and rowing.

Social Secretary: Nicole Machado
(2024, DPhil in Oncology)

Nicole is a second year DPhil student in the department of Oncology. She completed her masters at Harris Manchester college and her undergraduate degree in her hometown at the University of Toronto.

When not sequestered in the lab she enjoys running and live theatre, and she is always partial to a dance-filled night out.

To view the WCR website, click here.

Published: 21 May 2025

Explore Univ on social media