Physics Department News
Physics students named as Future Leaders
Students Sem Kohyrelon (Third year Physics with Business student) and Anas Abdulahi (Second year Physics student) have been nominated in the top 150 Black Future Leaders listLink opens in a new window by Powerful Media.
An annual publication by Powerful Media, the Top 150 Black Future Leaders profiles 150 outstanding Black university students in the UK, serving as role models for students at school, sixth-form, college and university.
In the 2025-2026 edition, Sem was nominated due to his involvement with Prosper Warwick (current Co-President) and his involvement in the development of an app to help level the playing field for students from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as other activities in his spare time. Anas was nominated for trailblazing in his community, securing various placements and becoming treasurer of the East African Society.
Sem and Anas were nominated, shortlisted by the panel and attended a follow-up interview before they were announced as the Top 150 Black Future Leaders in September 2025. During the interview process, the panel looked for evidence of leadership or impact in a chosen field over the past year. After an initial application screen against these criteria, selected candidates were invited to a competency interview. Applications were benchmarked against clear criteria: quality of impact, scale and originality of the work, evidence of leadership, and measurable outcomes. With thousands of applications for 150 places, making the list meant that the contribution exceeded the norm across several dimensions.
Sem says: "Being nominated is a humbling signal that the work mattered - and a nudge to raise the bar."
Image shows Sem Kohyrelon holding a copy of the Future Leaders publication.
The nominations are based on influence, achievement and sustainability with those who have 'the ability to change lives and alter events positively from black perspectives, as demonstrated over a reasonable period of time.'
The publication is in collaboration with McKinsey, BNP Paribas, S&W Group and EY.