Society Spotlight - BioSoc

You can join Biosoc at the Freshers Fayre or throughout the year here

Tell us a little about your society and its purpose 

BioSoc is the official society for students within the School of Biomedical Sciences at Ulster University. Our aim is to create a welcoming and inclusive community where students from all biomedical science courses and year groups can connect, make friends, and get the most out of their university experience. We organise a range of social events, academic opportunities, and career-focused activities throughout the year, giving members the chance to relax, network, and develop both personally and professionally. 

Who would enjoy being a member of your society and what can they expect when they join  

BioSoc is for everyone within the School of Biomedical Sciences, whether you're just starting first year or nearing graduation. Members can expect a friendly and supportive environment, plenty of opportunities to meet new people, exciting social events, and activities that complement their studies. Whether you're looking to make lifelong friends, take a break from coursework, or learn more about careers in biomedical sciences, there's something for everyone. 

Has the society enjoyed any recent successes or achievements?

BioSoc has continued to grow over the past year by hosting a variety of successful events that have brought students together and strengthened our community. From popular social events to our annual formal, the society has built a welcoming atmosphere where students can connect outside the classroom. We look forward to building on this success and making the coming year our biggest yet. 

What exciting plans do you have for the coming year? 

We have lots of exciting events planned for the year ahead! Members can look forward to fun social events such as a Paint & Sip evening, the Ultimate Challenge at Airtastic, a trip to the Belfast Christmas Market, a night out at the Anchor, and of course our annual BioSoc Formal. Alongside these, we're hoping to introduce more opportunities for students to meet one another, unwind from university life, and create lasting memories throughout the year. 

What’s your next event and why should students come along? 

Our first event of the year will be a Welcome Pizza Lunch, where students can meet the committee, get to know other students within the School of Biomedical Sciences, and find out everything BioSoc has planned for the year ahead. It's a relaxed and friendly way to make new friends, ask questions, and discover why becoming a BioSoc member is a great way to enhance your university experience. 

If you could give one reason why every student should join a society, what would it be? 

University is about much more than lectures and assignments. Joining a society is one of the best ways to meet new people, make lasting friendships, and create memories that you'll look back on long after graduation. It's an opportunity to become part of a community and truly make the most of your time at university. 

How would you describe your society in three words? 

Fun. Friendly. Memorable. 

Tell us about the Biosoc Society Reps...

We're also excited to welcome back our former Chairperson, Caoimhin Boyle, who will be joining the committee as our Returning Officer. Caoimhin will be supporting students who are interested in Graduate Entry Medicine at the Magee campus by sharing his experience, offering guidance on the application process, and helping students access further information and advice. We hope this will be a valuable resource for anyone considering this exciting career pathway and another way BioSoc can support its members both academically and professionally. 

 Niamh McGrady (Chairperson)  

Fun Facts about Niamh:  

• Before starting university, I took a gap year and worked as a classroom assistant for children with special needs. 

• I used to act in plays and attended Youth Lyric where I received my Grade 6 in Drama. My love for acting lives on through my work as an extra in films/TV shows my favourite being ‘How to Get to Heaven From Belfast’. 

• My favourite type of pizza is a ‘chicken chip kebab’ pizza from La Dolce Vita, if you don't know, get to know! 

Kathryn Howard (Secretary)  

Fun Facts about Kathryn: 

• I love baking and cooking for friends and family (my brownies are the best!) 

• I have a rescue whippet called Sparrow who I treat as my real child. He was also born on Valentine’s Day! 

• I have a huge passion for wildlife conservation and completing my placement year within DAERA’s Marine Monitoring team helped solidify this. 

Kaci McErlain (Treasurer)  

Fun facts about Kaci:  

• My favourite modules were biotechnology and pathophysiology. 

• I love exploring different activities and I’m constantly picking up new hobbies such as gymnastics, camogie and baking! 

• I love collecting stickers and scrapbooking whilst exploring new cities. 

• Despite loving animals, I have a HUGE and completely irrational fear of dolphins. 

Sam Kilpatrick (Events Officer)  

Fun facts about Sam: 

• I’m a big lover of film. I use Letterboxd to track all my film watches, attend events at various cinemas and I love the House of Cinema podcast. Someday, I want to dress up and attend the Cannes film festival! 

• My favourite module so far in Biomedical Science is Cellular Pathology. 

• I have a Golden Retriever named Rua and if you stop me on the bridge, I will show you all the gorgeous photos of her. 

 Peter Carnduff (Wellbeing Officer) 

Fun facts about Peter: 

• I foster guide dogs over holidays, helping to train them for their future owners. 

• I am a big convention-goer, I love to attend QCon and Comic-Con every year. 

• I am a gamer and enjoy scifi settings. 

• I love a good road trip, especially along the west coast of Ireland.