Generating Genius 2025 programme concludes with award evening

Representatives from Oriel College attended the final event of the 2025 STEM@Oxbridge programme with Generating Genius in October, when awards were presented for the annual academic poster competition.

Generating Genius are an educational access charity who work with UK students of Black African and Caribbean heritage and students from lower socio-economic backgrounds to support progression to competitive STEM degrees and careers.

Now in its fifth year, the STEM@Oxbridge programme supported a total of 61 students in 2025, helping them to prepare for competitive university applications.

The programme began with an ‘Introduction to Oxbridge’ event in May. Over the next few months, students also took part in an academic poster workshop, Study Days at Oriel College and St Anne’s College, Oxford, and an admissions preparation workshop.

The academic poster competition ran until September. Students were challenged to research and present on a topic related to the theme of energy.

The standard of entries was very high. Students displayed impressive originality and creativity, making awarding the final prizes tough for the graduate students involved in judging.

Patricia Chioran won the overall prize for her poster on artificial photosynthesis, while Sunmeet Madan was awarded Best Poster Design for his presentation of his research into computer science and energy use optimisation. Sameeha Rahma, Rihana Axhami and Sadiwah Chowdhury were also awarded prizes as runners-up.

The prizes were presented to the students at the Computacenter London office by Zindzi Sewell, Director of Generating Genius, and Carys Owen, Outreach Manager at Oriel College.

During the evening students presented their research to their peers, with industry experts and Richard Lai, a doctoral Chemistry student at Oriel College, offering constructive feedback.

Somto Egwuonwu, who graduated from the 2023 STEM@Oxbridge programme, also gave a talk. Somto now studies Computer Science at the University of Oxford.

Competition winners: