Skip to main content

Executive Board

  • Silvia Vicenzi, Ph.D. - Chair and Recording Secretary

    Silvia Vicenzi, Ph.D. - Chair and Recording Secretary

    svicenzi@health.ucsd.edu 

    Department: Medicine

    My research in 12 words or less: I explore the convergence of neuroscience and cancer immunology for groundbreaking insights.

    Favorite thing about the PDA: is having the opportunity to take action and make refreshing changes to create an inclusive and safe academic environment. In my "free" time, I enjoy engaging in outreach to enthuse and inform young people about science. 

    Favorite quote: "Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it." Charles R. Swindoll

  • Neha Varshney, Ph.D. – Deputy Chair

    Neha Varshney, Ph.D. – Deputy Chair

    nevarshney@ucsd.edu

    Department: Department of Cell & Developmental Biology 

    My research in 12 words or less: Understanding the function and regulation of Protein Phosphatase 1 in Caenorhabditis elegans.

    Favorite thing about the PDA: An opportunity to work with like-minded postdocs and make an impact on the postdoc community.

    Favorite quote: " Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” – John Lennon

  • Mahsa Pourhamzeh, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Career development

    Mahsa Pourhamzeh, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Career development

    mpourhamzeh@health.ucsd.edu

    Department: Pathology

    My research in 12 words or less: Understanding the mechanisms underlying synaptic loss in neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular focus on prion disease

    Favorite thing about the PDA: Working with the PDA is a joy. What I love most about the PDA is the sense of teamwork and the shared passion for the growth of our diverse community of postdoctoral scholars. The PDA is a dynamic network that enables us to create initiatives that positively impact the lives and careers of postdocs, fostering a stronger, more vibrant community at UCSD. It's amazing to be part of this community!

    Favorite quote: "Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts". - Winston Churchill

  • profile placeholder image

    Priyanka, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Career development

    fpriyanka@health.ucsd.edu

    Department: 

    My research in 12 words or less: 

    Favorite thing about the PDA:

    Favorite quote: 

  • Ingrid Rivera-Iñiguez, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Marketing and Communication

    Ingrid Rivera-Iñiguez, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Marketing and Communication

    iriverainiguez@health.ucsd.edu

    Department: Pediatrics

    My research in 12 words or less: I study the different factors that influence eating behavior and conduct clinical trials that could help people to have a healthier lifestyle.

    Favorite thing about the PDA: I like being part of a community that is willing to share, help others, work as a team to impulse other postdocs. 

    Favorite quote: "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg

  • profile placeholder image

    Kamal Kumar, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Marketing and Communication

    Department: 
    My research in 12 words or less: 
    Favorite thing about the PDA: 
    Favorite quote: 
  • Ipsita Mohanty, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Community and Engagement

    Ipsita Mohanty, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Community and Engagement

    Department: School of Pharmacy
    My research in 12 words or less: try to intercept the communication between gut microbes and the host by discovering their signaling molecules using mass spectrometry
    Favorite thing about the PDA: I love meeting new people and organizing events, and as part of PDA, I hope to do both and contribute my time to making the postdoc community more connected. 
    Favorite quote: 
  • Theresa Rohm, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Community and Engagement

    Theresa Rohm, Ph.D., Co-Vice Chair of Community and Engagement

    trohm@health.ucsd.edu

    Department: Medicine

    My research in 12 words or less: Unpuzzling how immune cells communicate in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

    Favorite thing about the PDA: As a former president of the Ph.D./Postdoc Happy Hour of the University of Basel in Switzerland, I am eager to take on the role of the Vice Chair of Community Engagement at UCSD. My primary goal is to strengthen the networking environment for Postdocs and other young professionals in Science. I am excited to work closely with the PDA Board to organize regular networking and team-building events, build community partnerships with external organizations, and create memorable occasions, such as the annual Volunteer Appreciation celebration, the New Year’s Networking Event, and the Postdoctoberfest.

    Favorite quote: “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” — Sharon Begley interviewing the astronomer Carl Sagan
  • profile placeholder image

    Samantha Ayoub, Ph.D., Co-vice Chair of Outreach and Teaching

    sayoub@health.ucsd.edu
    Department: 
    My research in 12 words or less: 
    Favorite thing about the PDA: 
    Favorite quote: 
  • Dishary Banerjee, Ph.D., Co-vice Chair of Outreach and Teaching

    Dishary Banerjee, Ph.D., Co-vice Chair of Outreach and Teaching

    Department

    My research in 12 words or less

    Favorite thing about the PDA

    Favorite quote

  • Taynara Formagini, Ph.D., Co-vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

    Taynara Formagini, Ph.D., Co-vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

    Department: 
    My research in 12 words or less: 
    Favorite things about the PDA: 
    Favorite quote:
  • Julia Gauberg, Ph.D., Co-vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

    Julia Gauberg, Ph.D., Co-vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

    jgauberg@ucsd.edu
    Department: Neurobiology

    My research in 12 words or less: I study how spinal cord motor neurons reach their muscle targets

    Favorite thing about the PDA: Connecting with and supporting other postdocs! 

    Favorite quote: “Time means nothing. Jeremy Bearimy, baby.” – The Good Place
  • Hamidreza Ghodsi M.D., Co-vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

    Hamidreza Ghodsi M.D., Co-vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

    hghodsi@health.ucsd.edu 

    Department: Neurosciences, Parkinson & Other Movement Disorders Center

    My research in 12 words or less: Validating new technologies to monitor levodopa levels in real-time in Parkinson’s disease.

    Favorite thing about the PDA: A place that I can learn from peers who are motivated to create a positive impact within their community, where everyone’s voice is not only heard, but also respected.

    Favorite quote: " A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." – James Keller
  • Priyanga Ganesan, Ph.D. Vice Chair of Wellness and Sustainability

    Priyanga Ganesan, Ph.D. Vice Chair of Wellness and Sustainability

    pganesan@ucsd.edu

    Department: Mathematics

    My research in 12 words or less: I explore mathematical ideas in operator algebras for applications in quantum information.

    Favorite thing about the PDA: organizing fun and beneficial events that contributes to our overall growth, while promoting a sense of community.

    Favorite quote: "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving” - Albert Einstein

  • profile placeholder image

    Giuseppe Di Palma, Ph.D. - Co-Vice Chair of Exposure to Industry Program

    gdipalma@ucsd.edu

    Department: 

    My research in 12 words or less: 

    Favorite Part of the PDA: 

    Favorite Quote: 

  • profile placeholder image

    Nicholas Downes, Ph.D. - Co-Vice Chair of Exposure to Industry Program

    Department: 

    My research in 12 words or less: 

    Favorite thing about the PDA: 
    Favorite quote: 
  • Heather Dillon, Career and Professional Development Program Manager

    Heather Dillon, Career and Professional Development Program Manager

    hadillon@ucsd.edu
    Department: Office of Postdoctoral and Research Scholar Affairs
    My research in 12 words or less: Develop, coordinate, and present professional development workshops, programs, and seminars for postdoctoral trainees.
    Favorite thing about the PDA: Working with our talented and dedicated team to enhance the postdoctoral community at UC San Diego by provide opportunities for networking, socializing, and career development.

    Favorite quote: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou

  • profile placeholder image

    Your Name Here!

    We are always looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a part of the 2021-2022 Executive Board, it all starts by attending our monthly Postdoc Association Lunch. Find more about becoming a volunteer.