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Maimonah Al-Masawa Hi, I’m Maimonah! My research continues to evolve, with regenerative medicine and the therapeutic use of EVs at its heart. After serving as SNEV’s Event Team Manager and Vice President, I’m now honoured to be SNEV President! I hope to connect EV communities across borders, empower students and early career researchers, and build community through shared knowledge and connection. Outside work, I enjoy cooking, socializing, and exploring new places with my family! Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maimonah-al-masawa-a44051241/
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Vice President
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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 tumors of breast cancer patients. Besides oncology, my research is related to multi-omics approaches for discovering theranostic biomarkers in cancer, as well as data science using the R software. After the lab, I enjoy swimming, riding a bike, and listening to music. Email: [email protected] Instagram handle: @alexmu22 |
Past President
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Carlos Jesus I am Carlos Jesus, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. My work centers on engineering extracellular vesicles (EVs) to improve their targeting capabilities in cardiac regenerative medicine and on implementing strategies for the continuous large-scale production of EVs. I am thrilled to be part of SNEV and connect with researchers who share a passion for advancing EV science. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, practicing sports, watching TV series, and spending time with family and friends. Email: [email protected] X handle: @CagJ2021 |
Secretary
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Reza Abouali Hi, I’m Reza, a PhD student at the University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk in Poland. My research is mainly focused on small extracellular vesicles and how they communicate with the immune system through lipids. I am currently serving as the Secretary of SNEV, where I enjoy being part of a community that connects early-career researchers working in the EV field and brings people from different scientific backgrounds together. Outside the lab, I’m a bit of a movie geek, enjoy playing video games whenever I get the chance, and love spending time with friends and family. I’m also usually the person who somehow turns a normal conversation into a discussion about AI, technology, or some completely random idea. |
Events Team
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Bárbara Santos (Events Team Manager) 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.
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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! Email: [email protected] X handle: @jolenephelps_ |
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Tony Chun Hei I am Tony Chun Hei LEI, a PhD student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Working in a clinical department, I aim to integrate extracellular vesicles into translational medicine. My PhD project focuses on evaluating the potential of diagnostic and prognostic markers in paediatric diseases. I joined SNEV to connect with more professionals in the field and to bridge the gap between them and the translational potential of extracellular vesicles. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychunheilei/
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Judiel John Cortez Hello, I’m Judiel, a PhD student at the University of Torino, Italy. My research focuses on tissue-derived extracellular vesicles and how different EV size subpopulations contribute to colorectal cancer progression and communication within the tumor microenvironment. I am especially interested in understanding how EV heterogeneity can reveal distinct biological functions and potentially inform translational applications. As a member of the SNEV Events Team, I am excited to contribute to activities that connect students and early-career researchers across the EV community. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, watching films, and photographing nature. |
Media Team
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Helena Branco (Media Team Manager) 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. Email: [email protected]
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Elisa Frenna Hi! I’m a PhD student at the Department of Genomic Physiology at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Germany. 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. Email: [email protected]
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Emma Symonds Hi! My name is Emma Symonds and I am originally from New Zealand, but I am currently a postdoc at Imperial College London. 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 previous postdoc at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden focussed on the role of EVs in pre-metastatic formation in the liver in patients with uveal melanoma. I have recently moved to London where I am beginning to work on Prostate Cancer. Outside of the lab I enjoy travelling, playing underwater hockey, and spending time with my friends and family. Email: [email protected] X handle: @emma_symonds_
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Xin Zhou I am a PhD student in dermatology at Sun Yat-sen University, China. My research combines nanoscale flow cytometry (CytoFLEX nano) with clinical cohorts to develop extracellular vesicle-based biomarkers, with a focus on the early diagnosis and staging of skin cancers and treatment stratification in psoriasis. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking and exploring new cities. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xin-zhou-78a026133/
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Design Team
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Swagatama Mukherjee (Design Team Manager) I’m a postdoc at the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden researching the role of Extracellular vesicles in mediating resilience. 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. Email: [email protected]
X handle: @abufferingbrain |
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Claudia Reyes Goya 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. Email: [email protected] |
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Anaïs Bini Hi! My name is Anaïs, and I am a third-year PhD student at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology (IPMC) in Nice, France. My PhD research focuses on understanding neuronal extracellular vesicles and their role in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. I recently joined the SNEV Design Team, where I contribute to creating engaging visual content to promote SNEV events and initiatives. I enjoy combining my scientific background with my passion for art and design, translating ideas into eye-catching visuals that capture people’s attention and encourage them to get involved. I am excited to bring this perspective to SNEV and contribute to its international community, while connecting with researchers and EV enthusiasts from around the world ! Email: [email protected] |
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Daniela Macedo PhD student affiliated with the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS - University of Porto), and the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S). Email: [email protected] |
Newsletter Team
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Débora Ferreira (Newsletter Team Manager) 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] LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/debora-abreuferreira X handle: @deboracferreir |
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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 |
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Rucha Trivedi Rucha Trivedi, PhD, is a postdoctoral Research Fellow at Mayo Clinic in Florida, United States. Her research focuses on the mechanisms that regulate cancer stem cell function and tumor progression in lung cancer. She earned her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, where she investigated how extracellular vesicles contribute to tumor-stromal communication and metastatic progression in breast cancer. Her broader research interests span extracellular vesicle biology, cancer signaling, and translational oncology. Rucha enjoys keeping up with advances in cancer biology and extracellular vesicle research and engaging with the broader EV community. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places, is an avid fiction reader and dancer, and loves spending time with family and friends. Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ruchatrivedi |
Podcast Team
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Liam Hourigan (Podcast Team Manager) I am a PhD student based at the University of Melbourne Australia in the MetaMelb research group. This interdisciplinary group works on various metascientific projects unrelated to EVs. However, I was a former student in the Hill/Cheng lab, working to isolate neuronal EVs. I no longer study EVs per se, instead studying the EV field using metascientific methods, exploring its growth and maturity. I was a member of SNEV in its earliest days, establishing its newsletter, and I now work as the Podcast Team Manager. Email: [email protected] Blusky handle: @LiamH15.bsky.social |
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Heather Tanner 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. Email: [email protected] X handle: @heather__tanner |
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William Phillips 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). Email: [email protected] X Handle: @Will_PhillipsEV Bluesky: @willphillips.bsky.social
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Follow this link in case you want to see SNEV ECM 2024/2026: https://snevresearch.wordpress.com/about/