Vera Pudilova

when out and about I always wear my sunglasses and either earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones

admiring some cool ferns in Malaysia (I'm a massive plant enthusiast and have helped found a plant science society at my university)

holding a newt on a biological expedition for Czech high school students where I was supervising

from the "Time is Now" mass parliament lobby. I do a bit of volunteering for the National Trust, particularly their young people program

in my spare time I play frisbee for my Imperial team and a London club called Thundering Herd

in my spare time I play frisbee for my Imperial team and a London club called Thundering Herd

the first ever infographic/ sketchnote about autism and me that I ever made

“Hi! I'm Vera. I'm a final year undergraduate student at Imperial College and am writing my biology dissertation on enhancing fragmented green spaces for urban wildlife. The UK is one of the most nature-poor countries in the world, so cities play a big role in British biodiversity. London has almost 50% green or blue space and has been named the world’s first National Park City! I love applying knowledge that I learn at uni in the real world. I helped found Imperial’s botanical society and created a Community Kitchen Garden in Morden Hall Park for the National Trust, where I joined an incredibly supportive group of staff and young volunteers to develop green spaces in the local community. This led me to advocate for nature at a wider scale at the Time is Now parliament lobby or with @UKyouth4nature. I learnt about autism when I was 12 and knew it resonated with me, but didn’t investigate further until I met an autistic adult 8 years later… I finally connected my mental health, communication and sensory difficulties and got diagnosed shortly after my 21st birthday. I finally understand myself better, can ask for help with my weaknesses and better utilize my strengths.

When I’m not frantically finishing my dissertation, I can be found on the frisbee pitch or drawing visual notes and illustrations of life as an autistic person (@Happy_nd_lady on Instagram)“

Instagram: @happy_nd_lady

Twitter: @vpudilova