Alumni Awards Dinner

Sai Kumar Mattireddy (Master of Engineering Management 2023)

Sai Kumar Mattireddy is an emerging technology innovator whose work is improving how organisations listen to and support the people they serve. 

After completing his Master of Engineering Management at the University of Leicester in 2023, Sai became the lead developer behind LeicSurvey, a feedback platform created with LOROS Hospice to address dramatic reductions in service‑user engagement. His work helped increase feedback fivefold and cut staff workload by over 70%, enabling hospices to better understand patient and family needs at a crucial time.

As Co‑Founder and Chief Technical Officer of LeicSurvey Ltd, Sai has ensured the platform directly benefits communities across four countries, from hospice patients in the UK and India to partners in the US and South Africa. His inclusive innovations around survey technology are expanding access for underserved groups who are often excluded from traditional digital tools.

Beyond LeicSurvey, Sai mentors students and supports projects tackling sensitive global issues. One such project - now used by more than 15 organisations, including Harvard Medical School - helps charities protect women and girls at risk of FGM/C.

Sai’s work shows a deep, sustained commitment to community wellbeing and social impact, making him an outstanding Future Leader.

Zygimantas Vainauskas (Aerospace Engineering with Industry MEng 2025)

Zygimantas is a First‑Class MEng Aerospace Engineering with Industry graduate, ranked top of his class, whose work and service reflect strong future‑leader potential.

His academic and professional contributions have been recognised through numerous competitive awards from academic and professional engineering bodies, including the IMechE and the IET.

He has presented research at several international conferences, including two lead‑authored papers at the International Astronautical Congress, contributing to global discussions on sustainable space systems.

Now a PhD Research Postgraduate, he is supported by the UKRI EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award and the Astridge Postgraduate Research Scholarship.

He works as a research assistant for a national energy institute, a technical specialist on an EU‑funded sustainability project, and an independent advisor for European and international funding instruments and contributes to the engineering community through ASME and the IMechE. His focus is cleaner propulsion, safer aerospace systems, and sustainable technologies.

Dr Melvin Sanicas (Business Administration (Human Resource Management) 2023)

Dr Melvin Sanicas is a physician–scientist and global health leader in vaccinology, science communication, and public policy. He is Global Medical Lead for an internationally deployed mpox vaccine and contributed to vaccines for COVID‑19, influenza, and dengue.

A former Global Health Fellow at the Gates Foundation, he launched the Collaboration for TB Vaccine Discovery and held leadership roles at Sanofi, Takeda, Clover Biopharma, Exact Sciences, and Bavarian Nordic.

As a TED‑Ed educator, his lessons have reached over 15 million viewers in more than 25 languages, and he is recognised for combating health misinformation and advancing evidence‑based public health communication.

His work has earned the Presidential Pamana ng Pilipino Award and The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) recognition for Science and Medicine, and Fellowships of the Royal Society for Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Arts, and the Academy of Medical Educators.

Dr Madhuri Sharon (Botany PhD 1971)

Dr Madhuri Sharon is an internationally recognised scientist whose work has shaped major advances in nanotechnology, plant science, and sustainable materials over more than five decades.

She completed her PhD in Botany at the University of Leicester in 1971, where her early research on how plants transport growth signals helped establish techniques that influenced later studies in plant physiology and biotechnology.

Dr Sharon has made a lasting impact through an extraordinary body of work: over 250 scientific publications and 19 books, including widely used texts on nanotechnology, carbon materials, and the development of the field from ancient knowledge to modern science.

Her research has opened new pathways in carbon nanomaterials, nanomedicine, drug delivery, biochar and eco‑friendly technologies, including patented processes that turn plastic waste into useful products and create carbon nanofibres for environmental applications.

She has played a key role in building scientific capacity, having supervised 18 PhD scholars and more than 180 postgraduate students, many of whom now work in research and industry worldwide. Dr Sharon has also helped establish several research labs in India and contributed to science initiatives with organisations such as ISRO, the UN Asia Pacific office, national research councils, and international universities.

Her contributions have been recognised through numerous honours, including Most Influential Scientist of the Decade in Nanomedicine (2003) and the NAAS Honour Award (2016). Throughout her career, Dr Sharon has been dedicated to using science to address real‑world problems and to mentoring future generations - impact that continues to resonate globally.

Dr Mary-Jutine Todd (Law PhD 2025)

Dr Mary Jutine Todd is a public service leader whose work has transformed protections for women experiencing violence across the Middle East and North Africa.

As Founder and CEO of Shamsaha, a nonprofit established in 2013, she has built the region’s first large scale, volunteer driven crisis response organisation for survivors of gender based violence, trafficking, and exploitation.

Under her leadership, Shamsaha now operates in ten countries, has partnered with more than 75 organisations, mobilised 150+ trained crisis volunteers, and directly supported over 100,000 women.

Throughout her PhD in Law at the University of Leicester, Dr Todd continued to lead Shamsaha including through humanitarian emergencies, ensuring uninterrupted support during the wars in Gaza and Sudan and now during the ongoing crisis in the Middle East - maintaining and even expanding services precisely when violence against women was rising. She has raised and managed $1.5 million since 2020, sustaining crisis services in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

In response to severe access barriers, Dr Todd designed Shamsaha’s innovative mobile app, funded in part by the L’Oréal Fund for Women, allowing women to seek confidential, culturally sensitive help even under surveillance or movement restrictions.

The app earned the Most Innovative App Award from the Empowering a Billion Women initiative. Her longstanding public service has been further recognised through numerous awards such as EY’s Middle East Winning Women Award (winner 2018), the United Nations Population Fund Innovation in Impact (finalist 2025), and Visa 'She's Next' (finalist 2025).

Dr Todd’s work demonstrates courageous, community centred leadership and a sustained commitment to protecting and empowering vulnerable women across the region.

Dr Emma Astra Aldwinckle (Counselling Studies Cert HE 2006, World Humanities BA 2009, Social Work MA 2015, Media and Communication PhD 2025)

DDr Emma Astra Aldwinckle, commonly known as Dr Emma Astra, has made a sustained, long‑term contribution to public service in Leicester through widening access to education, mentoring, and community engagement.

Having completed her entire higher‑education journey at the University of Leicester, she uses her lived experience as a disabled, working‑class, mature student to support others facing structural barriers.

She provides free mentoring to students, first‑generation applicants, disabled researchers, and early‑career academics, and volunteers with organisations that expand public learning, including the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society, Lapidus International, and Vaughan College, where she supports inclusive adult education.

As Co‑Founder of Pen Pals Publishing, she promotes accessible, affordable publishing for under‑represented writers. Emma is also the founder of the Disabled People’s Project and the Disabled Actors Project, which highlights the significant contributions of disabled individuals to society. Her forthcoming Emma Astra Foundation further extends her commitment to education, digital inclusion (including AI), and community‑led social good.

Jesse Gyamfi (Computer Science BSc 2026)

Jesse Gyamfi, a final‑year Computer Science BSc (Foundation) student graduating in July 2026, has made an exceptional contribution to the University of Leicester through four years of dedicated service, leadership, and community impact.

From his first year, Jesse emerged as one of the University’s most reliable and inspiring Student Ambassadors, supporting countless Open Days, Offer Holder Events, school visits, and campus tours. His warmth, authenticity, and ability to connect with young people have made him a powerful and relatable role model for those who may not otherwise imagine higher education in their future.

Since 2023, Jesse has extended this commitment as a Conversions Assistant in the Future Students Office, personally speaking to thousands of offer holders. His clarity, empathy, and reassuring presence have strengthened applicant confidence and played a measurable role in enhancing conversion efforts.

His work as a Clearing and Confirmation Assistant has been equally significant; during the highest‑pressure period of the admissions cycle, Jesse handles complex and emotional queries with remarkable calmness, professionalism, and maturity.

Within his team, Jesse has naturally grown into a respected leader - someone colleagues turn to for support, problem‑solving, and encouragement. His reliability, initiative, and genuine care for others have made him an indispensable part of the University’s applicant‑facing work.

Jesse embodies the values of the university through his service, integrity, resilience, and aspiration. His dedication to uplifting future students makes him an outstanding candidate for the Alumni Association’s Graduating Student of the Year.

Wasiu Omoniyi (Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology MSc 2026)

Wasiu Omoniyi graduated with Distinction from the MSc Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology in 2026, conducting research in cellular signalling and gene regulation relevant to the development of future cancer therapies. He also advanced the understanding of a key protein complex (NuRD) through its successful purification and molecular analysis.

As a Commonwealth Shared Scholar, he used his laboratory and academic experience to mentor many international and prospective postgraduate students, with several securing competitive scholarships through his support.

Serving as Commonwealth Scholarship Campus Representative, Leicester 100 Senate Member, and Course Representative, he strengthened postgraduate wellbeing, advocated for student needs, and improved academic support.

Wasiu also created accessible online guidance used by applicants worldwide, widening access to further study. His achievements were recognised with the University of West London Vice Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship, where he now continues biomedical research.

Dr Glynis Wright MBE (English and Philosophy BA 1984, Honorary Doctor of Laws 2023)

Dr Glynis Wright MBE is an alumna whose outstanding voluntary service has made a powerful and lasting contribution to the University of Leicester and the wider region.

Since graduating with a BA in English and Philosophy in 1984 and later receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Laws in 2023, she has devoted her professional expertise and leadership to supporting students, strengthening community organisations and advancing public good.

At the University of Leicester, Glynis plays a central voluntary role as an Entrepreneur in Residence for the School of Business, delivering mentoring, workshops and pro bono talks that equip students with real‑world entrepreneurial skills. As a Member of Council and Full Member of Court, she contributes her time to guiding the University’s long‑term strategy and governance.

She further supports the alumni and student community through roles such as presenting at our Alumni Awards Dinner in 2025 and judging the University Start‑Up Business Competition earlier this year, offering experienced, thoughtful feedback to emerging entrepreneurs. She is also a voluntary student mentor, providing one‑to‑one support to help students refine business ideas and build confidence.

Beyond the University, Glynis has a long and distinguished record of voluntary leadership, including serving as President of the Leicestershire Law Society (2019-20), earning Honorary Lifetime Membership, and supporting community charities such as Alex’s Wish. She also co‑founded Pulled Both Ways, a voluntary project raising awareness of children’s wellbeing during family conflict.

Dr Wright’s sustained, generous and high‑impact volunteering reflects her deep commitment to education, community service and the values of the University of Leicester.

Dr Colin Pitt (Special Chemistry BSc 1956, Chemistry PhD 1959)

Dr Colin Pitt is an outstanding philanthropist whose generosity has created lasting educational opportunities for students at the University of Leicester.

A proud alumnus, he graduated with a BSc in Special Chemistry in 1956 and a PhD in Chemistry in 1959 before building a distinguished research and industry career in the United States, including roles at Florida State University, MIT, the Research Triangle, and later Amgen in California.

Dr Pitt began supporting the University philanthropically in 2016 and has since become one of its most dedicated donors. His most significant contribution is the creation of the Margaret Rankin Pitt Award in Physics, established in memory of his late wife to support and retain women in a discipline where they remain under‑represented.

His endowment ensures that eligible undergraduate women receive multi‑year financial support, helping them to continue and thrive in their studies. He later strengthened this commitment through an additional major gift to expand the award’s long‑term sustainability and impact.

Across multiple years of giving, Dr Pitt’s philanthropy has grown to a substantial lifetime total, reflecting deep loyalty to his alma mater and a strong belief in widening access to science education.

Dr Pitt’s generosity, vision, and devotion to empowering women in physics exemplify the values honoured by the Rhoda Bennett Award for Philanthropy.

Aderemi M. Makanjuola (Economics BA 1976)

Aderemi M. Makanjuola is an accomplished Nigerian businessman, philanthropist, and University of Leicester alumnus whose life’s work has shaped entire sectors - from finance and aviation to education and national development.

Born in Lagos, he graduated from the University of Leicester with a BA in Economics in 1976 before completing an MSc in Management Science at the University of Manchester. His academic journey in the UK laid the foundation for an extraordinary career defined by leadership, generosity, and nation‑building.

With more than two decades in banking and finance, Mr. Makanjuola held senior roles including Executive Vice‑Chairman of Devcom Merchant Bank and Chairman of International Commercial Bank Senegal S.A (which became FBNbank Senegal).

His entrepreneurial vision led him to found the Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, which has become one of West Africa’s most important providers of marine and aviation logistics. He also contributed to public security as Chair of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, helping to strengthen the safety infrastructure of Nigeria’s largest commercial capital.

A defining element of Mr. Makanjuola’s legacy is his transformative impact on education and opportunity creation. He has donated multiple 500‑seater lecture theatres to universities across Nigeria, dramatically improving access to quality learning environments. His philanthropy extends to scientific advancement through the establishment of state‑of‑the‑art Molecular Biology Diagnostic Laboratories at Lagos State University College of Medicine and Edo State University, Uzairue.

Appointed Chancellor of Edo State University in 2019, he continues to uplift academic excellence. In a powerful example of his commitment to uplifting young people, he offered automatic employment to the university’s overall best‑graduating student, directly supporting the transition of top talent into meaningful careers.

His approach reflects a lifelong belief that education should open doors - not only to knowledge, but to opportunity. In recognition of his significant contributions to national development, he was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2022. Additionally, he has received Honorary Doctorates from four Nigerian universities. He has also given back to his alma mater, supporting the University of Leicester’s Student Support Fund.

Widely regarded as a “silent achiever,” Mr. Makanjuola’s influence is felt through the institutions he has strengthened, and the countless lives uplifted by his generosity. His legacy is one of leadership, humility, and lasting impact - making him an exceptional and deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.