Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge

Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge Ex antiquis et novissimis optima - The best of the old and the new Welcome to the official fanpage for Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.

Established in 1869 as Fitzwilliam Hall, a hostel for non-collegiate students in order to widen access, Fitzwilliam College was formally constituted in 1966. Among the College's most notable alumni are historian and broadcaster David Starkey, musician Nick Drake and politicians Norman Lamont, Julia Goldsworthy, Andy Burnham and Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of the Republic of Singapore. Today

Fitzwilliam is a community of approximately 750 students and is widely regarded as one of the friendliest and most open colleges in Cambridge. We encourage you to visit this page often as we make regular updates.

Meet Nika, a Neuroscientist here at Fitz doing a PhD in the Cambridge Chemistry Department.In a few lines please describ...
01/09/2026

Meet Nika, a Neuroscientist here at Fitz doing a PhD in the Cambridge Chemistry Department.

In a few lines please describe your research:

‘I am working on two bioinformatics research projects. One investigates the molecular hallmarks of healthy ageing and neurodegenerative diseases. The second uses ancient genomics and computational protein analysis to investigate how evolutionary mutations affect protein solubility.’

What drew you to this subject?

‘To me, the two most interesting questions in the world are how we came to be as human beings and how our minds work. Being able to explore both neuroscience and ancient genomics is a great privilege that allows me to delve into both of these topics.’

How did you come to be at Fitz?

‘I grew up in Cambridge, before moving away to Cardiff to do my Bachelor's in Neuroscience and Master's of Research in Biosciences. It has opened up a whole new world for me to be back in my home town now as a PhD student. Being part of any college is a fantastic experience, and I am thrilled that the warm and welcoming community of Fitz is the college I get to call my own.’

What is the best thing about Fitz?

‘Everyone says it but it's because it's true - the people! It is such a diverse mix of studies and nationalities, all sharing ideas and laughs. There are activities on every week in the college, from crafts to sports, to help students come together away from work. The committee also does a great job organizing lots of formal swaps with other colleges, so you get to see more of the University.’

What do you hope to do next?

‘I will soon be entering the 3rd and final year of my PhD. After that, I would like to step away from academia to see what the world of industry has to offer in the bioinformatics field.’

Meet Amos who is undertaking a PhD in Materials Science here at Fitz.In a few lines, please describe your research:‘I am...
25/08/2026

Meet Amos who is undertaking a PhD in Materials Science here at Fitz.

In a few lines, please describe your research:

‘I am a crystallography PhD student based in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy. My research focused on understanding the structures of novel crystalline materials using a variety of diffraction techniques. I am particularly interested in characterising disorder in these materials (when some aspect of the 3D pattern of the crystal is broken) and how this may impact their properties.’

What drew you to this subject?

‘Crystallography is so beautiful and I find diffraction techniques fascinating! Diffraction is a very powerful tool for understanding the structure and behaviour of materials. I was utterly amazed by the elegance and diversity of applications when I was first introduced to them as an undergraduate. And this amazement and appreciation for its beauty only continues to grow.’

How did you come to be at Fitz?

‘When looking for a college to apply to Fitz's open and inclusive atmosphere and location a little way out from the busyness of the city centre seemed to be a perfect fit (and it is!).’

What is the best thing about Fitz?

‘Firstly, college is very calm, peaceful, and full of nature. Second is the people and the strong sense of community. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. And I am very proud to be a Fitz member!’

What do you hope to do next?

‘The first thing I’ll be doing when my PhD is finished is spending some time travelling in New Zealand, spending lots of time in the mountains and (hopefully) seeing lots of Kiwi (birds)! After that, I’d like to stay in crystallography-based research and continue exploring the vast and intriguing world of disordered materials using electron diffraction.’

Meet Christian a doctoral researcher in law and President of Fitz’s MCR:Describe your research (in a few lines):'My rese...
18/08/2026

Meet Christian a doctoral researcher in law and President of Fitz’s MCR:

Describe your research (in a few lines):

'My research sits where company law meets finance. It asks how the rules that govern corporations shape the way capital is allocated, and how sustainability is actually governed, especially in settings where institutions are weaker or more constrained. I focus on Colombia and Mexico as a lens for understanding how corporate law and financial markets interact in emerging economies, and what that means for investment, corporate governance and sustainable development.'

What drew you to this subject?

'Having practised as a transactional attorney in law firms in Bogotá and New York, worked as in-house counsel, and taught corporate and financial law, I kept coming back to the same puzzle: much of the theory in company and financial law is built on the assumptions of a few advanced economies, yet it is applied in very different institutional realities. I wanted to understand how corporate law and finance genuinely work in Latin America, and how they might be designed to serve better capital allocation and sustainability there.'

How did you come to be at Fitz?

'I was chosen by the invisible sorting hat, and it has turned out to be one of the luckiest situations I have found myself in.'

What is the best thing about Fitz?

'The community. Everyone finds their own space to thrive and grow, whether personally, academically, in sports, the arts, or really any other interest.'

What do you hope to do next?

'I hope to bridge scholarship and practice: to finish my doctorate while contributing to the institutions that shape investment and development in Latin America and beyond, through a mix of academia, policy, and practice.'

Last month Fitz Fellow Prof Jason Rentfrow was in Seoul and it was fantastic to take the opportunity of his visit to bri...
14/08/2026

Last month Fitz Fellow Prof Jason Rentfrow was in Seoul and it was fantastic to take the opportunity of his visit to bring together some of the local Fitz community! Huge thanks to David Gartside (Law, 1995) for hosting a really special event 🙏 🇰🇷

Meet Stephanie who is undertaking a PhD in education here at Fitz:In a few lines, please describe your research:‘My rese...
11/08/2026

Meet Stephanie who is undertaking a PhD in education here at Fitz:

In a few lines, please describe your research:

‘My research explores how universities can better support students to succeed, particularly those from backgrounds that have historically been at risk of failure in the U.S. higher education system. Specifically, I’m interested in understanding whether academic resilience interventions are effective, for whom they work best, and how universities can successfully implement them at scale. Ultimately, my goal is to help generate evidence that helps make higher education more equitable and improves student outcomes.’

What drew you to this subject?

‘During my senior year at Columbia, I took a seminar on contemporary approaches to Native American education where I was introduced to Angela Duckworth’s research on grit. That was my first exposure to the concept of student resilience in education, and it immediately resonated with me because it put language to my own lived experience of overcoming challenges in boarding school and later at Columbia. What fascinated me was that resilience wasn’t just an abstract academic concept. It was something that could be studied, nurtured, and used to improve people’s lives. I was struck by the idea that there was an entire field dedicated to understanding why some students thrive despite adversity and how institutions can better support them. I’ve been captivated by those questions ever since.’

How did you come to be at Fitz?

‘After completing my MPhil at Oxford and spending several years working across consulting, philanthropy, and education technology stateside, I wanted to return to academia to tackle questions that could have a real-world impact. Cambridge’s Faculty of Education was the perfect place to pursue those interests, and Fitz quickly stood out as a welcoming, supportive, and down-to-earth college community. Funny enough, I later discovered that my supervisor is also based at Fitz, which made my college placement feel even more serendipitous. It has been a wonderful place to call home during my PhD.’

What is the best thing about Fitz?

‘Without question, it’s the people. While I’ve loved being part of the postgraduate community, what has really stood out to me is the kindness and dedication of the College staff. Throughout my first year, and especially in my role as the MCR’s first Steward, the porters, the Wellbeing and Community Inclusion team, the Accommodation team, and the kitchen staff have all gone above and beyond to make Fitz feel like home. Their warmth, generosity, and willingness to help, often in ways that go unnoticed, have made a real difference to my experience. They embody the sense of community that makes Fitz such a special place to be.’

What do you hope to do next?

‘I hope my research will help universities in evidence-based decision making about how they support students. Longer term, I’d love to continue working at the intersection of research, policy, and practice, through collaborations with universities, governments, and organisations, to ensure research leads to meaningful improvements in educational opportunity and student success.’

Meet Omar who studying for his PhD here at Fitz:In a few lines please describe your research:'I am researching the risk ...
04/08/2026

Meet Omar who studying for his PhD here at Fitz:

In a few lines please describe your research:

'I am researching the risk of cardiovascular disease, namely heart attacks and strokes, in autistic people and what factors may be contributing to this risk.'

What drew you to this subject?

'I have always been interested autism research and cardiovascular medicine separately, and saw this as a great way to combine the two. It also felt like a way to make a big positive impact on the lives of people who often face barriers when accessing healthcare. This is especially true given that although the outcomes I am researching are severe, a lot can be done to help prevent them if the risk is identified early.'

How did you come to be at Fitz?

'I didn't fully understand the college system when I was applying to Cambridge and spent a lot of time looking at college websites. Fitz seemed like such a friendly community that perfectly blended the best of the old and new in Cambridge.'

What is the best thing about Fitz?

'I really love its grounds, every season it feels like there are new flowers, shrubs, and vegetables growing. It is also hedgehog friendly!'

What do you hope to do next?

'As an MB/PhD student, I hope to return to medicine and finish my clinical studies, followed by work as a doctor, eventually specialising in something cardiac related.'

We were very pleased to welcome back matriculants of 1966 and 76 for their Golden and Diamond Matriculation Dinner recen...
03/08/2026

We were very pleased to welcome back matriculants of 1966 and 76 for their Golden and Diamond Matriculation Dinner recently. It was wonderful to see old friendship groups reunited, and to reflect together on how the college has grown and changed. A big thank you to Dasha Tenditna for capturing the warmth of the evening in these beautiful photographs.

Meet Mariah who is studying for a PhD here at Fitz:In a few lines please describe your research:'I study East Asian hist...
28/07/2026

Meet Mariah who is studying for a PhD here at Fitz:

In a few lines please describe your research:

'I study East Asian history during the Cold War. I'm interested in how Tokyo managed to maintain relationships with both Beijing and Taipei, and how that helped create a stable regional order in which peace was maintained and economic and technological development could flourish, despite the enormous political complexity of the region. One case I'm investigating is the Baoshan Steelworks in Shanghai, a large-scale industrial project built with significant assistance from Nippon Steel in Japan.'

What drew you to this subject?

'My parents loved Japanese popular culture when they were young, and that had a real influence on me. Later I became interested in Japan–China relations. But I noticed that a lot of the research on Japan and China focuses on conflict. I wanted to look at the other side: how were conflicts managed, and how was development enabled?'

How did you come to be at Fitz?

'I first came to Cambridge in 2021 for my MPhil in Japanese Studies at AMES. I read a lot of online posts about Cambridge colleges, and what struck me about Fitz was that it was international, friendly, and chill. I could see myself fitting in, so I put Fitz as my first and only college preference. The reviews turned out to be true! I enjoyed the community so much that when I came back for my PhD in 2023, I chose Fitz again.'

What is the best thing about Fitz?

'The people, and the friendships. Everyone I've met at Fitz has been friendly and supportive. I made friends within days of arriving, and they've been my friends ever since. Even after some of us graduated and moved away from Cambridge, we've kept in touch. I've also received unwavering support from the College in times of need, and that means a lot.'

What do you hope to do next?

'I'm heading to Taipei in September for a year-long research fellowship at Academia Sinica, so I'll be spending my fourth year there. After that, finish my dissertation!'

This week the Master represented the College at the King's visit to open the New Whittle Laboratory, a £58 million facil...
24/07/2026

This week the Master represented the College at the King's visit to open the New Whittle Laboratory, a £58 million facility designed to be the world’s leading research centre for jet engines and power generation. The New Whittle encompasses two elements: the Bennett Innovation Lab: designed to launch 20-30 missions over a decade, each building a new industry in the UK; and the National Centre for Propulsion and Power: a rapid test facility designed to cut the time between ideas and testing from years to weeks. If you'd like to learn more, visit the University's news article here: https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/the-king-officially-opens-cambridges-new-whittle-laboratory

Photos: Ian Jones

Jessica Xiao, a 4th year Veterinary Medicine student here at Fitz recently travelled to Hokkaido University in Japan to ...
24/07/2026

Jessica Xiao, a 4th year Veterinary Medicine student here at Fitz recently travelled to Hokkaido University in Japan to undertake a placement in the Laboratory of Parasitology in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

During the placement Jessica carried out lab work sorting out ticks collected from the field by s*x and species and field work surveying fox dens around Hokkaido University Campus where she checked camera traps and collected fox faeces.

Jessica reflected on what she learned from the experience: ‘Undertaking this 2-week placement at Hokkaido University has given me a vast amount of knowledge from getting me more confident with molecular laboratory techniques such as PCR, teaching me how to identify different species of worm eggs under the microscope, identifying species of ticks by their morphology as well as the lab's impact on public health.’

‘I witnessed how the lab was involved in surveillance and genetic analysis of Echinococcus multiocularis – a highly zoonotic worm – to determine how it entered Japan (Japan was previously free of this parasite) and advising on how to control this parasite. I hope that I can apply what I have learnt from this placement on clinical placements and the VetMB research project throughout the remainder of my studies.’

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