Jefferson Postdoctoral Association

Joice Thomas Gavali, PhD

President
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Joice Thomas Gavali, PhD, earned her doctorate in Pharmacology at the Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV-IPN) in Mexico. Her graduate studies focused on regulation by reactive oxygen species of store-operated calcium release in adult rat cardiomyocytes preconditioned with diazoxide. She moved to the United States in October 2020. Before joining Thomas Jefferson University, she worked as a postdoctoral scientist at Smidt Heart Institute, Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles; there she worked on understanding the critical role of PMCA 1 in maintaining cardiack calcium homeostasis. She is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Jianxin Sun's lab. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism of cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Who do you most admire, and why?
I most admire my father, Thomas Gavali - he is my hero. I am who I am today because of him. He always encouraged us to get the best education, and he believed education was the best way to empower ourselves and be independent. Though he went through many difficulties in his life, he ensured we went to school. I believe I am empowered and independent because I've accomplished much, and will continue to accomplish more because of my education and his encouragement.

Arun Kumar Jannu, PhD

Senior Vice President
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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.

Sabrine Ben Hamed, PhD

Vice President, Career Development

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!

Elham Javed, PhD

Co-Vice President, Communications

Elham Javed is an Indian citizen who was born and raised in Dubai, UAE. She came to the US to pursue her graduate studies, first an MS degree in Molecular Medicine from Drexel University and then her PhD in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. Currently, she is in her fourth year of postdoctoral fellowship at at the Center for Translational Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University. Her research involves identifying Protein Kinase-A anchoring proteins (AKAPs) as structural and/or signaling-elements in human airway smooth muscle cells. Additionally, she is the Chair of International Task Force at the National Postdoctoral Association, and has previously served as the president of the Jefferson Postdoctoral Association. She is passionate about advocating for international students and post-doctors, and believes in raising and encouraging her peers.

If time travel was a possibility, what year would you visit and why?
The 90s was the best era. Good music, good tv shows and movies, minimum responsibilities, and I was surrounded by family and friends.

Casey Stefanski, PhD

Secretary

Casey received her PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Notre Dame, where she studied chemotherapy resistant mechanisms in APC-deficient breast cancer. In September 2022, she joined Dr. Andrew Aplin's lab as a postdoctoral researcher investigating metabolic drivers of therapy resistance through their effect on the tumor immune microenvironment.

If you could go on vacation, where would you go and what would you do?
I love sharks, specifically whale sharks. My dream vacation is to swim with whale sharks in either Mexico or the Maldives.

Simon Thibault, PhD

Vice President, Nominations and Elections

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.

Shamaila Zafar, PhD

Vice President, Social Affairs
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Shamaila Zafar is a Neuroscientist and registered Pharmacist from Pakistan. She earned her PhD in Physiology from Government College University of Faisalabad (GCUF) in Faisalabad, Pakistan, in 2021. Her past research focused on exploring alternative therapeutic moieties to instigate and accelerate axonal regeneration and full functional recovery following nerve injuries. As a Postdoctoral fellow, she is working with Dr. Jay Schneider on understanding the influence of socioeconomic and environmental factors on the developing brain regarding neurocognitive functioning, behavioral changes and the risk of dementia associated with neurodegeneration in later life. Shamaila has had opportunities to present both as an inviting-speaker and as a presenter in multiple international and national science meetings supported by travel grants.

If you had a full day without responsibilities, how would you choose to spend the day?
I am a proud Mom of three cool and charming kids who are my anti-depressants. I would prefer to spend my whole time with them, either making their favorite foods, painting, playing games, visiting outdoor spots (beaches, parks, resorts, museums), or watching movies.