Meet our staff

Dr Craig Davidson joined Kingston International Study Centre as Centre Director in August 2021. He is a scientist by training and spent the first 10 years of his career as a university academic involved in teaching, research and consultancy. Much of his work was funded by the UK’s Department of Health. In 2001 he accepted a post at University College London as Founding Head of the University’s Foundation year in Science and Engineering, and since then has spent most of his career working at the interface between secondary and higher education helping international students to gain entry to university in the UK. He is passionate about helping students achieve their full academic potential, and still keeps in contact with students he first met over 20 years ago! 

Dr Julia You works at the International Study Centre, Kingston University, as the Head of Curriculum and Progression, leading the academic departments in the development and delivery of a diverse range of modules at RQF levels 3, 4 and 6. She obtained her PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Nottingham, where she also earned her MA degree. Over the last nine years, Dr Julia You has enjoyed various roles—from Academic English Skills (AES) tutor to AES Coordinator, from Head of English to her current position. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), she is dedicated to fostering effective learning experiences among international students. She actively oversees and promotes innovative teaching and assessment models, ensuring they cater to both individual and group learning needs.

Yvonne Silk Jones works at the Kingston International Study Centre as the Deputy College Director and Director of Student Experience.

Yvonne has studied Leadership and Management and her career has been working in education of all types, working with students from the age of 14 upwards to adult in schools, tertiary and higher education (undergraduate and postgraduate), state and public and boarding.  Most of her career has been working with international students and international education, about which she is passionate.

Outside work, she enjoys a wide range of activities, from enjoying the peace and quiet of a good book and working in her garden to a busy family and social life. She also enjoys planning and organising events, playing games, hiking, kayaking and camping.  

Katarina Gulyasova works at the Kingston International Study Centre as the Senior Progression and Transition Co-ordinator.

Katarina holds an undergraduate degree in Latin American and Spanish Cultural Studies with a minor in Film Studies from London Metropolitan University, as well as a master's degree in Latin American, Spanish, and Portuguese Cultural Studies from Birkbeck, University of London.

Having lived, studied, and worked in non-English-speaking countries such as Cuba, Palestine, and Indonesia, she understands firsthand the challenges students face when adapting to new environments. Embracing diversity has been a hallmark of her professional journey, allowing her to develop a strong ability to find common ground and appreciate the richness of different perspectives.

As a student progress coach, she is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and personally. Through active listening and empathy, Katarina helps students overcome obstacles, embrace their unique qualities, and reach their full potential.  

Brian Norman joined Kingston International Study Centre as Head of Academic English Skills (AES) in April 2024, having previously worked for Leeds International Study Centre as Head of AES. He has over 20 years’ experience of teaching English and Academic English to international students. He has a degree in Sociology, a certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Trinity College London, a post-graduate diploma in teaching English to adult learners from Cambridge University Press & Assessments, and an MA in Education (TESOL) from Teesside University and is a Fellow of Higher Education Academy. In his spare time, he plays golf and enjoys swimming. He is also a keen traveller, having spent over 20 years living and working abroad, and has visited over 20 countries.

Callum McGarry joined Kingston International Study Centre as a subject tutor in Academic English Skills in August 2024, having previously worked for Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia on their Academic English modules. He graduated from University of Leeds with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Spanish. This included a year studying philology in La Universitat de Barcelona as part of the ERAMUS programmme gaining an insight into the international student experience. Callum completed his Masters at King’s College London in 2017. He has seven years of experience teaching Academic English skills to university students. In his spare time, he is a big football fan following the most local team to Kingston ISC, AFC Wimbledon. Additionally, Callum enjoys playing tennis and enjoying London’s vast cultural offerings.

Jake Barratt joined Kingston International Study Centre as an Academic English Skills (AES) tutor in April 2024, having previously worked at another Study Group centre and on a pre-sessional  EAP (English for Academic Purposes) course in Wales. He graduated with a BA in English Literature and Language in 2021 from Cardiff, then completed a CELTA course and is now currently studying for his TESOL & Education master’s degree. Jake has four years of experience teaching ESOL, IELTS, ESP, study skills, and general English, both in-person and online. In his free time, he enjoys walking, reading and exploring all the shops that South London has to offer.

Fangyi Yang joined Kingston University International Study Centre as the Head of Business, Law and Social Science in March 2024. Prior to this, he served as the leader of the curriculum team within the Accounting and Finance department at the University of Sheffield International College. Mr. Yang holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Exeter and a Master's degree in International Accounting and Finance from Aston University. Additionally, he is recognized as an Associate Fellow by the Higher Education Academy. With extensive experience in teaching and management across various business-related subjects, Mr. Yang exhibits a strong dedication to international education.

Dr Yanli Cheng joined Kingston International Study Centre as a subject tutor in Business in March 2024. Before joining Kingston ISC, she had worked in the banking and securities industry in China for over 10 years, gained valuable experience from the practice. She graduated from ICMA Centre University of Reading with an M.Sc. in International Securities Investment and Banking and with a PhD in Finance from the University of Surrey. Currently she teaches business modules at Kingston ISC, passionately sharing her knowledge and experiences with students.

Edward Jonathan Waleski joined Kingston International Study Centre as a subject tutor in Contemporary Business Issues and Business Design Thinking in January 2024, having previously worked at ISC, University of Surrey as a business and economics tutor on the Foundation Year. He graduated from City University, University of London with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management and completed his postgraduate studies at UCL. He has over 8 years’ experience of teaching international students.  His experience also extends to economic research and industrial experience in the financial sector. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis and cycling.

Malani Gunaratnam works at Kingston International Study Centre as a business tutor with 30 years’ of experiences in media, marketing, and events. She has worked with the top luxury and mass market brands and companies in Europe, US, and Asia during her last position as a general manager and consultant of global media company. In the last fifteen years she has been lecturing in more than 25 universities in Europe and Asia. Prior to joining StudyGroup she was a marketing, branding and event consultant and a visiting lecturer specialising in business module from levels for master’s programmes at several universities.

Dr Amandeep Kaur joined Kingston International Study Centre as Head of STEM in August 2024, having previously worked for Anglia Ruskin University College, Cambridge (Navitas) as Senior Tutor and Academic Quality Lead. She completed her PhD in Theoretical Nuclear Physics and Masters (Hons) in Physics and Electronics from India. As a Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) with an extensive experience of 10 years, Aman has significantly contributed to curriculum development, teaching and assessment, quality assurance management, and relationship building with key university and college contacts. As a Mental Health First Aider, her motto in life is - "You can achieve anything with a calm mind."  

Dr. Muharrem Okan Cakir joined Kingston International Study Centre as a Biology Module Leader in 2019, having previously taught at universities in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Brighton, and London. He received his B.Sc. in Genetics and Bioengineering from Yeditepe University, Turkey, in 2015, and completed his M.Sc. in Drug Design and Biomedical Science at Edinburgh Napier University, where he focused on androgen receptor variants in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Dr. Cakir earned his Ph.D. in Cancer Therapeutics from Kingston University, London, in 2024, and has over eight years of teaching experience. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and has a strong research background in cancer genetics and drug discovery, with a particular focus on 3D organoid systems and natural products. Dr. Cakir has published more than 15 high-impact research papers and secured substantial grants from leading research organizations.

In his spare time, Dr. Cakir enjoys basketball, cycling, and playing the guitar and ukulele. He is passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists and advancing research in personalized medicine and cancer therapy. 

Jennifer Firman joined Kingston International Study Centre as a subject tutor in Pure Mathematics in January 2020, having previously taught in secondary schools after completing teacher training in 2016.  She graduated from the University of Oxford in 2014 with an MMath degree, where she specialised in pure mathematics and in particular number theory. Passionate about helping students bridge the gap to university-level study, Jenny takes pride in guiding international learners through the beauty and rigour of mathematics. Outside the classroom, she is a keen rower and runner, enjoying Kingston’s picturesque riverside and green spaces.  

Ehsan Pour Yazdan Panah joined Kingston International Study Centre as Module Leader of Core Computing in March 2024, having previously worked for University of Sussex International Study Centre as a computing tutor. He has almost 5 years’ experience of teaching Computer Science and programming to international students. He has bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence from University of Sussex, and a master’s degree in AI focusing on simulating the functionalities of insects’ brain from University of Sussex. Apart from programming and AI researching, he is a photographer, filmmaker and a travel addict in his spare time, as well as a tennis player.