Alumni Spotlight: Nouh Salibo - BSc Medical Genetics 2024
Nouh Salibo, a BSc Medical Genetics graduate speaks about what inspired him to study at Queen Mary and how his degree has shaped his entrepreneurial career path.
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What inspired you to study Medical Genetics at Queen Mary, and how did the course shape your career path?
I received several offers when applying to university, but the standout ones were from UEA, Leicester, and QMUL. Initially, I was set on a path to study medicine at Leicester, but after reading The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson, chronicling Jennifer Doudna’s discovery of CRISPR-Cas9. I had a realisation: the future of medicine lies in genetics. That conviction led me to choose Medical Genetics at Queen Mary.
The way Queen Mary’s course was structured shaped my mindset. It wasn’t just about learning facts, it was about applying knowledge to solve real-world problems. Dr. Jayne Dennis, in particular, had a lasting impact; she encouraged us to think critically rather than memorise information. This way of thinking ultimately helped me identify a major gap in the security industry, leading me to create Salibo, an Uber-style platform for security services.
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Can you share a memorable experience from your time at Queen Mary?
Three experiences stand out as transformative moments during my time at QMUL:
- The CRISPR-Cas9 Debate Project
One of our most engaging assignments was to create a two-minute video discussing CRISPR-Cas9, covering its benefits, ethical concerns, and its reception in religious communities. We structured it as a BBC News debate, with some team members arguing for CRISPR, others against it, and a few acting as news anchors.
This experience opened my eyes to the importance of diverse perspectives in science. It reinforced the idea that everyone’s voice matters, especially when discussing topics with significant ethical implications. It also deepened my appreciation for effective science communication, a skill that has since been invaluable in my entrepreneurial journey.
- A "Nobel Prize" Idea in Dr. Stephen Buckingham’s Lecture
During a lecture with Dr. Stephen Buckingham, he challenged us to come up with an innovative way to tackle diseases at a genetic level. I proposed a method to enhance potassium channels function by repeating a gene sequence. His response? He called it a “Nobel Prize approach.”
That moment was life-changing. It boosted my confidence and made me believe that groundbreaking ideas are within reach if you think creatively. Dr. Buckingham’s passion for discussing Nobel Prize winners at QMUL made the experience even more inspiring. It reinforced my belief that ambition and curiosity can lead to real innovation.
- Winning Best Pitch at the QHack Enterprise Challenge
At QHack, I participated in a three-day enterprise challenge where teams had to develop a business idea, create a plan, and pitch it to judges. Initially, my teammates were hesitant to let me pitch due to my English language skills, but I insisted.
When it was my turn, I started with a joke and to our surprise, we won Best Pitch! The judges’ feedback was incredible, and the experience gave me the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship. The challenge also forced us to engage with real people to understand societal problems, a skill that later became crucial in developing Salibo.
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How did your time at Queen Mary prepare you for your current career?
Although I studied medicine and genetics, I became an entrepreneur. Queen Mary taught me how to think differently and apply my knowledge beyond traditional career paths.
One of the biggest insights I gained came from my immunology modules. I realised that the human immune system functions similarly to the security industry. Just as different immune cells work together to protect the body, security personnel with different SIA licenses work together to protect society. But just as immune cells need the right tools to function effectively, security professionals also need better tools to communicate and resources.
This analogy inspired me to create Salibo, a platform that makes these tools more accessible, helping security professionals protect homes, businesses, and communities, just like our immune system defends against viruses, bacteria, and mutations.
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Where was your favourite place on campus?
My favourite place on campus was the G.E. Fogg Building.
On my first day at QMUL, we were given a campus map to explore the university and figure out history places in Mile End campus. When I was asked to locate a point near the Fogg Building, I misread it as "The Frog Building" because of its greenish colour. From then on, my friends and I jokingly referred to it as the Frog Building.
Most of my labs took place there, and it became a space where I truly grew academically and personally. I can’t wait to fully establish Salibo, return to Queen Mary, pursue a PhD, and, who knows, work once again in the Frog (I mean, Fogg) Building.