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Jefferson Postdoctoral Association
2025-2026 Officers
Sabrine Ben Hamed, PhD
President
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Sabrine is originally from Djerba, a Mediterranean island in Tunisia, which is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site known for its authenticity and tolerant community. She earned a bachelor's degree in Cell and Molecular Biology and a master's degree in Genetics and Cell Physiology from the Higher Institute of Biotechnology Monastir, Tunisia. She then earned her PhD in Virology and Immunology at the University of Monastir in Tunisia and the University of Justus Liebig Giessen in Germany; here she worked on novel antiviral approaches against the influenza virus. Sabrine was also an Erasmus PhD Scholar at the University of Padova in Italy. After graduation, she moved to the United States and joined Thomas Jefferson University as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Schnell's lab, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, where she works on the development of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics. Sabrine is a nature lover who enjoys hiking, camping, and scuba diving.
Who is someone you admire, and why?
"Little me" inspires me! When I was five-years-old, I knew I would be a scientist who could help find therapies and save lives. Growing up in an agricultural and tourist environment, doing research seemed impossible but I always believed in it, and I still do! I admire "little me" for believing in herself, for her perseverance, passion, and patience along the journey!
Anju Maharjan, PhD
Senior Vice President
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Anju is native to Nepal, the country of Mt. Everest and the great Himalayas. Embracing multicultural diversities, she obtained her bachelor's degree in Yoga and Naturopathy from Karnataka, India and later pursued her master's and PhD degrees from Daegu Catholic University, Republic of Korea. Majoring in immunology and toxicology research, she obtained her PhD in 2024 and moved to Philadelphia where she is currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Rahman Lab, Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Currently, her studies are focused on exploring the TLR7 mediated B cell immune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using autoimmune mice models and various research methods.
She is a dog lover and enjoys exploring different cuisines, cooking, and being around nature.
If you could go on vacation, where would you go and what would you do?
I would love to travel to Europe and East Asian countries with my partner as both of us are food lovers. I would enjoy indulging in the beauty of architecture in Europe, while blending culture, nature, and culinary diversities from various Asian countries.
Zinah Bairmani, MD
Treasurer
LinkedIn
I'm from Baghdad, Iraq, an Arab country in the heart of the Middle East, rich in culture and history. As a Mesopotamian, I come from a region known as the cradle of civilization, which has always inspired my passion for science and medicine. I earned my medical degree from Ain Shams University in Egypt, a place full of vibrant culture that made my education even more meaningful. After graduation, I moved to the U.S. and joined Dr. Adam Snook's lab, where I work on cancer immunotherapy. My focus is on CART cell therapy, especially developing strategies to make it universal and effective against solid tumors.
Who is someone you admire, and why?
Someone I admire is anyone who genuinely feels for others, someone kind-hearted who helps without even being asked. I admire people who go beyond expectations, not for attention, but because they truly care. That kind of selfless compassion and quiet strength is rare, and I deeply respect those who live with that kind of empathy every day.
Ranakul Islam, PhD
Secretary
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Ranakul Islam grew up in the small town of Laksam in Cumilla, Bangladesh, a South Asian country. He completed his undergraduate studies in Zoology at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and earned a Master of Science in Biology from Texas Tech University. He went on to complete his PhD in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University. He is a cancer biologist focusing on how metabolic and epigenetic dysregulation drives cancer aggressiveness and therapy resistance, particularly in sarcomas and environmentally induced lung cancers. His current work aims to enhance T cell function and improve adoptive T cell therapy in different types of cancers. He brings expertise in cancer metabolism, toxicology, and molecular therapeutics, and is deeply committed to mentorship and scientific training.
Who is someone you admire, and why?
I have always admired my mother who, despite never finishing high school, continuously encouraged and supported me throughout my education. Her sacrifices and unwavering dedication made it possible for me to complete my PhD. I am who I am today because of her.
Mandeep Kaur, PhD
Vice President, Nominations and Elections
LinkedIn
Mandeep Kaur is originally from Fazilka, known for its cultural heritage and historical significance, in Punjab, the northern part of India. She completed her master's degree in Human Genetics from Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, Punjab, and earned her PhD in 2021 from the Department of Anatomy at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. Her doctoral research focused on investigating the role of Reelin signaling in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. In July 2022, she joined the lab of Dr. Amit K. Srivastava at the Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research as a postdoctoral fellow. Her current research focuses on exploring the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders and traumatic injuries.
What is your favorite hobby, and why?
My favorite hobby is cooking. I love experimenting with new recipes, then testing them out with my husband. Now, I can't wait to cook for my tiny baby when he starts demanding his favorites!
Adrian J. Luna, PhD
Vice President, Communications
LinkedIn
Adrian Luna, originally from Mexico and raised in the U.S., is a first-generation college graduate and proud scientist. He earned his B.S. in Biochemistry and Genetics from Texas A&M University, followed by a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of New Mexico, where he identified mechanisms of HPV oncogene regulation and small molecule inhibitors to block their expression. He later trained at the University of Michigan, gaining experience in aging biology and respiratory viruses, before joining Dr. Luis Sigal's lab in 2025 to develop expertise in vaccine assessment and adjuvant testing. Outside the lab, Adrian is an adventurer at heart, always seeking nature's beautiful views.
What is your favorite hobby, and why?
I love pushing my limits, and the sport that consistently does that for me is boxing. What I love most about boxing is how it forces me to confront fear and stay calm under pressure. Skills that translate far beyond the ring. It's both physically demanding and mentally grounding, helping me build resilience and focus in all areas of life.
Akansha Sharma, PhD
Vice President, Social Affairs
LinkedIn
Originally from Delhi, India - a city known for its cultural richness and scientific spirit - Akansha Sharma developed a strong passion for biomedical research. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry from CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology, where she focused on allergen characterization and immunotherapy using mouse models. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Thomas Jefferson University, studying enterovirus pathogenesis and antiviral innate immune responses. She is passionate about translating science into real-world therapies and aspires to contribute to vaccine or therapeutic development in the biotech or pharmaceutical sector. Outside the lab, she enjoys dancing, photography, yoga, and cooking.
If you had a full day without responsibilities (no work, school, no commitments), how would you choose to spend the day?
If I had a full day without responsibilities, I'd spend it focusing on myself - recharging mentally and emotionally. I'd use the time for deep thinking, self-analysis, and working on personal growth. I'd love to rewire my thought process, practice yoga or meditation, and just enjoy some peaceful moments for clarity and balance.
Simon Thibault, PhD
Vice President, Career Development
Simon Thibault completed his PhD in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Lyon in France. In his dissertation research, he investigated how tool-use relates to different cognitive functions, such as language. Specifically, his work has demonstrated that the ability to process complex syntactic structures in language and the ability to use a tool are linked, such that training one ability improves the other ability. Simon joined Thomas Jefferson University and Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute in 2022 to work under the mentorship of Drs. Aaron L. Wong and Laurel J. Buxbaum. His work aims at understanding the neurocognitive mechanisms supporting deficit in using the tools in population suffering from a left hemisphere stroke.
What is your favorite hobby, and why?
I am a big fan of sports, especially basketball, that I have been playing since I was six-years-old. I am happy to live in the US where basketball is popular. I like to go to the 76ers games, and also try to keep playing basketball at least once a week.
Arun Kumar Jannu, PhD
President Emeritus
LinkedIn
Arun Kumar Jannu is a native of Warangal, a small city in Telangana, located in the southern part of India. He did his masters at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) - Hyderabad, and then pursued his PhD in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology from NIPER - Guwahati in 2021. His studies focused on finding a novel carrier system for the targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. Later in 2021, Arun joined Thomas Jefferson University as a postdoctoral fellow in the Center for Translational Medicine under the supervision of Dr. Raymond Penn. Arun's research focuses on identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which G protein-couple receptors regulate significant functions in human airway smooth muscle cells.
If time travel was a possibility, what era would you visit and why?
I'm very interested in the nature of cultural and human development, and how we came to be. I would love to travel to a time well before modern civilization was established, and watch the evolution of people as they spread from one location to another, and across the globe.