NCV BBQ March

Seven times during the course of the year NCV residents gather in the courtyard for a BBQ cooked by the friendly Senior Residents.  The barbecues have become an institution, providing a regular opportunity to socialize over food in an otherwise self-catered environment.

Typical NCV BBQ fare includes marinated chicken thighs, pork or beef sausages and marinated steaks. Spinach and ricotta patties are available for vegetarian residents, and a selection of salads is also available.

On some occasions the barbecue has been combined with other events, such as a table tennis competition, some theatre sports or a games evening.

At our last BBQ on the 25th March, over 150 residents gathered to enjoy great free food and good company.

The NCV barbecue will continue to be an important regular NCV event into the future.

NCV BBQ March

Our First PhD Graduate

I'm pleased to announce that while the NCV has only been open for just over two years, we have recently seen our first resident graduate with a PhD. Congratulations to Dr Laura Sharpe.  Laura was actually the first resident I welcomed when we opened the NCV for the first time on the 4th January 2009. It seems fitting that our first resident is also the first to graduate in the PhD program.

Above (L to R): Trevor Cairney (Master), Laura Sharpe, John Quinn (Dean)

Her thesis was in the broad field of Biochemistry and was titled 'Investigating the roles of Akt targets in cholesterol regulation and protein transport'.  Dr Sharpe is now working in the same laboratory as a Post Doctoral Fellow and continues to live at the New College Village.  We're very proud of Laura and congratulate her on this achievement. John Quinn and I were delighted to be part of the academic procession and to be on stage when she accepted her testamur.  Well done Laura.

Our First PhD Graduate