Our Team:

I am Carlos Jesus, a final-year PhD student at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. My     PhD research focuses on bioengineering strategies to enhance EV targeting in cardiac applications for regenerative medicine, as well as on the scale-up of EV production. I am excited to be part of SNEV and to contribute to this incredible field. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, practicing sports, watching TV series, and spending time with friends and family.

Email: [email protected]

X handle: @CagJ2021

Vice President

Maimonah Al-Masawa

I am a postdoc at Shannon Stott Lab at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)/ Harvard Medical School. I am interested in EV potential as biomarkers in diseases such as medulloblastoma and I'm also studying the role of EV-macrophage interactions in NF2. I am SNEV past president and current ISEV Member at Large for the Education committee. With this position I aim to make the transition of SNEV into an active group within ISEV as smooth as possible, as well as supporting ISEV through SNEV involvement in creating initiatives and opportunities to assist early career researchers internationally.

Email: sara.ifveiga@snevteam

X handle: @sciencysara

Secretary

Nima Khalili Tanha

Hi, I am Nima Khalili Tanha. I have studied Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M) at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. I am going to Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, to continue my studies, mainly in neuroscience. I was honored to be part of the first student network on EVs, “SNEV.” This way, I had the opportunity to know more about these fascinating entities, EVs. To talk a little bit about myself, I am a tea person; obviously the main reason I am a night owl, and with the help of a cup of tea and a piece of great music, I give myself a break and recharge my batteries. I like watching movies and reading books; however, I believe books help your imagination by giving you the chance to be the director of each scenario and scene. And for the last words:

“Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others, Untold your own Myth”

X handle: @NimaKhT

Websmaster

Nima Shadmehri

Hello everyone! I’m Nima Shadmehri, a PhD student at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. My research focuses on investigating mRNA cargos within extracellular vesicles (EVs). Previously, I served on the first SNEV committee and am thrilled to continue collaborating with fellow EV enthusiasts.

Email: [email protected]

Events Team Manager

Cristóbal Cerda-Troncoso

My name is Cristóbal and I´m a cell biologist from Chile. I‘m a postdoctoral researcher at Pascale Zimmermann lab at KU Leuven, Belgium. My research is based on elucidating the relationship between secretory and degradative autophagy. I’m motivated to be part of SNEV to connect EV research worldwide, as well as the promotion and valuation of EV scientists. Also, I´m training as a photographer (@cristobalct_ph). I like reading, playing guitar, listening to music, playing tennis, and enjoying nature.

Email: [email protected]

X handle: @Cristobal_CCT

Events Team

Jolene Phelps

Jolene Phelps is currently a postdoc at the University of Victoria. She holds a PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Calgary. She is researching stem cell derived EVs as treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. She is excited to get to know more EV enthusiasts and contribute to the great community SNEV has created!

Events Team

Bárbara Santos

I am Bárbara Santos, a PhD student at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, with a strong passion for science communication. My PhD project aims to investigate the impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) on aging hallmarks based on intercellular communication function through EVs, and find new OSA biomarkers. My fields of interest include extracellular vesicles, sleep, chronobiology, and aging. I am committed to bringing valuable insights and enthusiasm to SNEV. In my free time, I enjoy reading and embroidery. 

Email: [email protected]

Media Team Manager

Alexis Murillo

Hi! I’m Alexis Murillo, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of São Paulo (Brazil). My project focuses on plasma extracellular vesicles potentially produced in the tumor of breast cancer patients. Besides oncology, my research is related to multi-omics approaches for discovering theranostic biomarkers in cancer, and data science using the R software. After the lab, I like to swim, ride a bike, and listen to music.

Email: [email protected]

X handle: @alemu22

Media Team

Yonis Bare

My name is Yonis Bare and I’m a postdoctoral researcher at the Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM) in Montpellier, France. My work is mainly focused on characterising a novel subtype of EVs that harbour Sonic Hedgehog, a morphogen that plays vital roles in embryonic development, specifically in brain and limb tissue. I also have some interest in virology too, and investigating the overlapping secretory pathways of both EVs and viruses! I joined SNEV to help spread the word on all the cool EV research being performed around the world and to help give a voice to young researchers such as myself.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter/X: @bare_yonis

Media Team

Helena Branco

I am a PhD student from the University of Porto (Portugal), performing my PhD project at both i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto (Portugal), and the Department of Oncology of the University of Turin (Italy). My research is focused on extracellular vesicles and their pivotal roles in intercellular communication within the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Apart from research, I am also deeply interested in science communication, seeking to bridge the gap between researchers and the public. As a SNEV’s Executive Committee Member, I am committed to actively contribute to the growth of a platform where students and early-career researchers can connect, showcase their work, and collaborate with other EV enthusiasts around the world. Outside the lab, I enjoy listening and playing music, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

E-mail: [email protected]

Design Team Manager

Swagatama Mukherjee

I’m a PhD student at the Division of Neurobiology Lab, MSU Baroda, India and researching Glioblastoma progression mediated by Extracellular vesicles. My passion in the field stems from the unencumbered versatility of EVs and their potential to unravel various biological/pathological mysteries.

I’m also deeply passionate about science communication with the goal of making scientific knowledge more accessible and raising awareness about emerging research areas like Extracellular vesicles. When the lab coat comes off, I moonlight as a graphic designer (and run a small art shop)—sometimes professionally, sometimes just for fun. And, on those rare days when I find some time, you might catch me watching obscure movies or anime and painting.

X handle: @abufferingbrain

Design Team

Ayush Panda

I am Ayush Panda, an Integrated MSc student at the National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India, where I am working in the Membrane Biology Lab under Dr. Mohammed Saleem. I am currently studying how bacterial extracellular vesicles alter the biophysical properties of the recipient host phagosomal membrane. Previously, I have worked with Dr. Charles Lai at the Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Taiwan, on the isolation and characterization of EVs from breast cancer cells. I believe that EVs hold huge promise for the future, both in understanding basic biology and developing novel theranostics, and I am very excited about contributing to this booming field of research. Outside the lab and classroom, I love making DIY crafts, going on cycling adventures, and doing science outreach.

Email: [email protected]

Design Team

Anusha Rajan

Anusha is a PhD scholar advised by Dr. Priya S. at the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, India. Her research is focused on the isolation and characterisation of extracellular vesicles from dietary plants. She is interested in exploring the biological activities of these EVs, especially against cancer cells. When not working in the lab, she enjoys trying different art mediums and watching movies. She is excited to join the Design Team and looks forward to working with SNEV!!

Email: [email protected]

Newsletter Team

Débora Ferreira

Débora Ferreira is a postdoctoral researcher at the Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Portugal. Her research focuses on using extracellular vesicles as drug delivery systems for cancer treatment. Also, she has been actively involved in academia as a teaching assistant for MSc students in innovation and entrepreneurship courses. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Email: [email protected]

Newsletter Team

Drishya Mainali

Hi! My name is Drishya Mainali, and I am a PhD student at the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. My fascination with EV work began during my undergraduate studies, where I explored the association of EVs with an innate immune receptor. Building on that foundation, my current research focuses on studying EVs from biofluids in Multiple Sclerosis. I am excited to contribute creatively as part of the SNEV team and connect with other EV enthusiasts. Outside of research, I enjoy stargazing with my telescope, reading, and playing badminton.

Email: [email protected]

X handle: @DrishyaMainali 

Newsletter Team

Abayomi Opadele

Hi friends, it's Abayomi here!

On a bright day, you will find me in Ndukaife's lab at Vanderbilt University studying the heterogeneity of single vesicle secretions by optical nanotweezers. I serve as a postdoc in this capacity.

On a golden day, I'm either learning stuff or trying out new skills.

On an EV-interesting day, I'm working with the newsletter team at SNEV to craft the most compelling newsletter for EV enthusiasts across the globe!

Webpage: https://yomitonian.github.io/ 

Podcast Team Manager

Nazanin Rahmani

My name is Nazanin Rahmani and I recently graduated in cell and molecular biology program. My interest in EV research began when I was a sophomore and since then I have been actively engaged with the literature and discussions on this topic.  Recently I was more focused on computational analysis and data visualization. Due to my interest in the industry,  I am currently working as a product manager at a tech company. When I’m not actively involved in research, I enjoy painting, listening to music and podcasts, watching live performances, and reading books.

X handle: @NazaninRmk

Podcast Team

Liam Hourigan

I am an independent researcher associated with Lesley Cheng and Andy Hill’s lab based at La Trobe University Australia. My academic interest lies in how scientific fields grow and mature over time, and how this translates into biomedical products. This is the hopeful subject of a 2025 PhD. I love yoga, travelling and seeing live music with friends.

X handle: @LiamHourigan6