Reuben College celebrates its first DPhil graduates
Daniel Grimmer and Cillian Gartlan mark the first students to have doctorates conferred
On Saturday 31 May, within the historic walls of the Sheldonian Theatre, Reuben College celebrated a significant milestone as its first two DPhil degrees were conferred.
These first Reubenites to graduate with DPhil degrees are Daniel Grimmer and Cillian Gartlan, both part of Reuben's inaugural 2021 cohort and both academics whose research reflects the core values of the College.
In order (left to right): Cillian Gartlan, Caroline Mawson (Reuben College Senior Tutor & Dean of Degrees), Professor Lord Tarassenko (Reuben College President), and Daniel Grimmer
Daniel’s thesis, Searching for New Spacetimes: Towards A Dynamics-First View of Topology, blends Philosophy and Physics in a testament to our commitment to interdisciplinary research. Reflecting on being one of the first DPhil students to graduate from Reuben, he says:
It's a tremendous honour to hold any title of "first" at Oxford given its long history. It was a wonderful experience to be at the forefront of something so new at such an old place. I will look back on this as a very fond period in my life.
Meanwhile, Cillian's thesis, Characterising Lung Tissue Pathology and Immunity in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Rhesus Macaques Challenged with SARS-CoV-2, highlights Reuben’s dedication to tackling 21st-century problems. He notes:
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Reuben college and am delighted to be one of the first two DPhil graduates of the College. Many of my most enriching experiences at Oxford - both socially and academically - have come from my time at Reuben. I’m very grateful to have been so involved with college life and for all the opportunities it presented during my DPhil.
Commenting on this shared momentous occasion for these two graduands and Reuben College, College President, Professor Lord Tarassenko, expresses:
Graduation Day for any degree at Oxford is very special, but walking back into the Sheldonian with that distinctive DPhil gown is a unique memory for those who have the privilege of doing so. I still remember the day when I graduated with my DPhil forty years ago this summer. It was therefore wonderful to welcome Cillian and Daniel back to Reuben College on this special day for them – a day which will also be recorded in the annals of the College.
