I am a DPhil Candidate in International Relations at Balliol College, University of Oxford. My primary research interest is the intersection of emerging technologies and (inter)national security, with a particular focus on biotechnologies and bioweapons. I am also interested in the governance of nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies; international cooperation and security studies; as well as biosecurity and pandemic preparedness.
My current research examines how emerging technologies shape their own governance, with a particular emphasis on the implications of biotechnological development for the governance of bioweapons. Prior to my postgraduate studies, I worked in operations and project management before completing biosecurity research fellowships. I hold an MPhil in International Relations (with Distinction) and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (First Class) from Trinity College, University of Oxford.
Research Interests
Emerging technologies
Biotechnology governance & biological weapons
Nuclear weapons
Artificial intelligence
International cooperation
Security studies
Biosecurity & pandemic preparedness
Awards, Fellowships, and Scholarships
2026. Horizon Fellowship. Think Tank Junior Fellow on the Horizon Fellowship, supporting a placement at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
2025. MPhil Thesis Prize. Awarded for achieving the highest thesis mark in the 2023-2025 MPhil in International Relations cohort.
2023 - 2028. Black Academic Futures Scholarship, University of Oxford. Awarded for graduate study in international relations.
2023 - 2027. ESRC Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership Scholarship, University of Oxford. Awarded for graduate study in international relations.
2021. John and Irene Sloan Memorial Prize for PPE Finals, Trinity College. Awarded for best performance by a student of Trinity College in PPE final examinations.
2021. Chadwick Exhibition, Trinity College. Exhibition awarded for a continued high standard of academic performance.
2021. Douglas Sladen Runner-Up Prize, Trinity College. Runner-up prize for Trinity College's annual Douglas Sladen Prize essay-writing competition.
2021. Margaret Howard Prize, Trinity College. Winner of Trinity College's annual Margaret Howard Prize essay-writing competition.
2018-2021. Crankstart Scholarship, University of Oxford. Enhanced support for UK residents from lower-income households to undertake undergraduate study at Oxford, made on the basis of academic merit and potential.
Research Experience
Jan 2026 - Present. Visiting Fellow, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
Oct 2025 - Present. Specialist Fellow, Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament, Uppsala University.
Oct 2023 - May 2024. Biosecurity Research Fellow, Technologies for Pandemic Defense (TPD).
Jul 2023 - Aug 2023. Biosecurity Research Fellow, Existential Risk Alliance (ERA).
Professional Experience
Dec 2023 – Jun 2025. Contractor, Open Philanthropy (Part-Time).
Oct 2023 – Jun 2025. Cofounder and Director of Operations, Oxford Biosecurity Group (Part-Time).
Apr 2022 – Feb 2023. Special Projects Associate, Longview Philanthropy (Full-Time).
Sep 2021 – Apr 2022. Operations Associate and Community Manager, Coleap (Full-Time).
Sep 2019 – Sep 2020. Oxford University Committee Fundraising Officer, Education Partnerships Africa (Part-Time).
Jul 2019 – Sep 2019. Project Worker, Education Partnerships Africa (Full-Time).
Publications
- Jun 2025. Sharma, R. M., Cürük, Y., Joamets, K., Araz, K., & Kunadu, C. (2025). Governing Dual-Use Research of Concern in the Life Sciences: United States and Canada Policy Comparative Analysis and Recommendations. Applied Biosafety, 30(2), 157–166.
