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Following the completion of her PhD, Christiana moved into an industry role with BP where she and her team were pushing the boundaries in the development of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process, an anchor technology for producing low-carbon fuels.

She is equally motivated to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, sharing her own experience and working on school outreach programmes to connect with young people.

“Our work takes time. Finding solutions needs a constant flow of new blood, ideas and energy to keep things going.

"The next time I stand in front of a class and ask them to draw a scientist, I’d love to see an array of different colours, genders and backgrounds being portrayed. Most importantly, I’d like to see everyone recognise themselves, their potential, and I’d like to see a solid belief that they can do anything, much like my parents helped me believe that I could.”

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“I always wanted to do a PhD. But I thought I should see what working in the private sector was like first. After this experience, I knew that academia was the right path for me. Working in research gives me freedom – I can choose what I dedicate my time to which is really important for me.

“I think research really allows you to shape your career early on. In other industries, you have to wait until you’re more senior to get that. The research communities are very close-knit. They’re not just colleagues, they become your friends.

“Imperial was excellent at giving me an understanding of how physics and science can be applied outside academia.

"I also had opportunities to do other things that allowed me to engage with the community at the university, such as teaching. My time at Imperial provided me much more than just scientific and technical knowledge.”

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“Growing up, I was always surrounded by people who helped others at great cost to themselves, so I did not think it strange – or even great – because everybody around me was doing that.

“I loved my degree at Imperial. While I was there, we found a group of cells that had never been found before in foetal blood. It identified whether the baby had been exposed to infection inside the mother. It was quite cutting edge and innovative and I was so taken up with it. I could’ve gone down that route but I love surgery. I love my patients.

“I opened England’s first FGM walk-in clinic. Nobody knew I was doing it and when they found out, nobody stopped me. Anybody with FGM could walk in confidentially because that’s what we would’ve done back home. We wanted to give people confidence and not add any barriers.”

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Alongside his studies, he works for a startup, which is helping to connect fragmented communities. He joined when the team was still small, but it’s grown to have a market capital of £30 million.

“Without a doubt, every day at Imperial was unique, enriching, and impactful in itself. My cohort was made up of people from all over the world and we stuck together. You do not expect that in a business school. Imperial was different – we cheered for each other. I made the best of friends while I was a student.

“Learning has been my passion since I was a child. I always wanted to be the best at what I did. Now I’m focusing on doing the best for my country.

“I ask: What can I do for my community? What sacrifices do I need to make for Kosovo to be a prosperous society where citizens are appreciated? My answer is that I am willing to sacrifice everything and utilise my knowledge to alter the status quo back home.”

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“I had a friend in primary school whose dad taught him a bit of programming. All of us at the time were obsessed with computer games and I thought it would be amazing if I could make a game. Through him, I learned it was possible.

“It’s funny that starting a business is actually quite anticlimactic. You go to a lawyer, sign some papers, and you have a business. But of course, there’s much more to it than that. As a first-time founder of a company, there’s a lot to learn along the way. And in a business like this that’s growing so fast, your job changes every 12–18 months.

"What I do today has nothing to do with my first few years in the company where I’d show up, grab a coffee, sit in a bean bag, put on my headphones and write code all day.

“In the end, it’s simply something I believe in and it’s not something I can put aside. I fundamentally believe the world is better off powered by abundant, cheap, clean energy and I think that’s a future worth fighting for. There were plenty of challenges along the way – and there will be more – but it’s that conviction that keeps me going.”

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