Interview with Livia Delpiano

I’m a postdoctoral fellow at the Gurdon Institute at the University of Cambridge and I am part of a multidisciplinary consortium investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying lung function impairment. My research focuses on identifying how genetic variants, especially those in non-coding regulatory regions, contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

 

Why did you move to Eddington?

I got my job here in Cambridge in 2023, moving from Newcastle where I did my PhD. I quickly learnt that the housing market in Cambridge is like hell, expensive and very hard to find somewhere. I wasn’t expecting that at all, so it was great when I found out that the University could help me with my accommodation. I immediately signed up to Eddington and three months later I secured a flat.

 

What’s made you stay in Eddington?

The rent is great, and Eddington is very well connected. My colleagues also live here and it’s good to have people you know around, especially when I came here all by myself and didn’t know anyone. The neighbourhood is also very green, and I like the sustainable features including rainwater collection.

 

You mentioned sustainable features, which ones are your favourite?

I love how warm the flat is, keeping energy use down and saving money on bills. There are also very few things that can’t be recycled which is one of the reasons why I stay in Eddington.

 

How do you feel about the green spaces in Eddington?

I do the parkrun around the cricket fields, which I love, and in front of my flat there’s a green area, which makes me feel calm and relaxed. I often walk around the lake and have had picnics there before. I actually love it a lot. The more green spaces the better.

 

Where’s your favourite spot in Eddington?

I’m Italian so I love the pizza place on the square, having that nearby is great. The cycle shop is also very good, and the Dr Bike sessions are very helpful. If something happens, I don’t have to push my bike to the city centre!

 

How does living in Eddignton support your work at the university? 

I met one of my neighbours in the bike shed and we started chatting about our work and I attended one of the events she organised. It was a very interesting workshop, related to my field, that I would never have attended otherwise. This isn’t something that would have happened if I were renting a place in the city centre. I know about the work of my neighbours, and people know what I do too. It’s really lovely. Very different to when I was living in Newcastle and my neighbours worked across the city and didn’t engage.

 

You mentioned meeting new people, has Eddington made that easier for you?

I like the work the University is doing in Eddington to develop the community, and I think it’s growing. When I moved, I was an individual and now feel part of the community. Moving from Italy, to Newcastle, to Cambridge, I’ve had to meet new people a lot and Eddington makes that a bit easier.

 

How do you feel about the future phases in Eddington? 

It’s very impressive and nice to see the changes in Eddington since I moved in. I think plans for more housing are great and I would like to see the green spaces around Eddington continue to be preserved.