 We are Student Network on Extracellular VesiclesSNEV is the virtual network run by students who are interested in the extracellular vesicle field. Our mission is to connect EV research students internationally. SNEV is the first virtual platform for students to discuss, share knowledge, network, and establish collaboration with other students and early career researchers on the extracellular vesicles field through a series of virtual events. Come join us!
Our Team:President Carlos Jesus 
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 
Hi! My name is Maimonah, and I am currently in the final year of my PhD journey at the Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (DTERM), UKM, Malaysia. My current research focuses on the therapeutic and immunomodulatory potential of mesenchymal stem cell EVs. Having served as the SNEV event team manager, I am now honoured to take on the role of vice president, where I aim to serve our community and support EV ECRs globally. I enjoy cooking, spending time with my family, and exploring the world together.
X handle: @MaimonaALMasawa
Past President Sara Veiga 
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.
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
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.
Events Team Jonathan Weerakkody  Hi! My name is Jonathan and I am a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. David Pitt’s lab at the Department of Neurology, Yale University. My research focuses on small EVs and their miRNA cargo as biomarkers for neurological diseases, with a particular emphasis on multiple sclerosis progression. I am passionate about advancing EV research and fostering collaborative communities for early-career researchers. Outside the lab, I enjoy creating digital art, listening to music and podcasts, watching movies, and spending time with my family.
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 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]
Media Team Emma Symonds
Email: [email protected]
X: @emma_symonds_
Media Team Elisa Frenna
Email: e[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]
Design Team Claudia Reyes Goya
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 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
Podcast Team Heather Tanner
Podcast Team William Phillips
X Handle: @Will_PhillipsEV |
Hi! My name is Emma Symonds and I am originally from New Zealand, but I am currently a postdoc at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. My EV journey began during my PhD, where I looked at adipose-derived stem cell EVs as a potential therapeutic for fat graft retention in patients having breast reconstruction surgery post-mastectomy. My postdoc focuses on the role of EVs in pre-metastatic formation in the liver in patients with uveal melanoma. Outside of the lab I enjoy travelling, playing underwater hockey, and spending time with my friends and family.
Hi! I’m a PhD student at the Department of Genomic Physiology at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. My research focuses on the role of extracellular vesicles in regulating cell-type-specific communication during human brain development. Alongside my love for neurobiology, I’ve always been drawn to art, culture, design, psychology, and science communication. In my free time, I enjoy combining these interests by exploring creative ways to make science more accessible and engaging, especially when it comes to explaining something as intricate as Extracellular vesicles. As a member of this community, I hope to contribute original content that inspires curiosity and brings science closer to people from all backgrounds. Outside the lab, I love animals (especially my little dog), the sea, good books, and spontaneous Sunday adventures.
Hi! I’m Claudia Reyes Goya, a postdoc at BioClinicum (Karolinska Institutet, Sweden). My research focuses on how extracellular vesicles contribute to degenerative ascending aortic aneurysm and vascular disease. I studied Biology at the University of La Laguna and earned my PhD in Physiology at the University of Seville, where I investigated how sunitinib impacts vascular health through endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and extracellular vesicles. Since then, I’ve worked on different projects looking at oxidative stress and inflammation in the context of vascular biology. I’m also part of the SNEV Design Team, where I help communicate EV research visually and connect early-career scientists worldwide. I’m passionate about turning basic discoveries into insights that can improve our understanding of vascular disease and open up new possibilities for therapy.
One year into my PhD program at the University for Continuing Education in Krems, Austria, I joined SNEV on the podcast team to interview some of the greatest minds researching extracellular vesicles. My PhD is part of the EVision program funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF’s doc.funds.connect program. Specifically, my project examines the role of blood product EVs in inflammatory processes. I am very grateful and excited to be part of the SNEV team and to collaborate with scientists at all levels on research we all are passionate about. Outside of this, I love doing activities in nature with my dog, spending time with friends and family, and exploring the cultures of the world through various mediums. 
Will completed his PhD at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, supervised by Dr Lesley Cheng, Prof Andrew Hill, and Dr. Nicholas Reynolds. His research is focused on extracellular vesicle (EV) heterogeneity, with a particular focus on microglia-derived EVs during neuroinflammation. By characterising changes in EV populations, Will investigates potential EV-based biomarkers for neuroinflammatory conditions such as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).