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Candidates for the 2025
Cristobal Rivera, DDS, PhD
Cristobal Rivera, DDS, PhD
Surgery
Start date: August 2024
As a proud member of the NYUGSOM community for more than six years, including over a year as a postdoc, I feel this is the perfect moment to contribute to the next PDA council. The incredible work of past councils has enriched my experience here, helping me build a strong network and lasting friendships with colleagues. I am excited to bring my energy, leadership, and dedication to serve the postdoc community.
Outside the lab, I’m a dad to a 3-month-old NYU baby, and I love fútbol and grilling!
Hector Zurita, PhD
Neuroscience
Start date: April 2021
Since joining NYU as a postdoc four years ago, the PDA community has helped me build friendships, gain fresh perspectives in science, and stay grounded in life beyond work. I am excited to support the success, well-being, and career growth of postdocs. I care about mental health and mentoring with empathy, and I am committed to fostering a welcoming, connected community. Outside the lab I enjoy rock climbing, outdoors, animals, live music, and exploring NYC's neighborhoods and diverse food scene.
Eleni Samara, PhD
Neuroscience
Start date: July 2025
I joined NYUGSOM three months ago and was instantly drawn to the welcoming postdoc community and the variety of hosted events. Even though it can be daunting to move-in to a new city, the PDA's events allowed me to immediately find a group of like-minded people. As a PDA council candidate, I would like to build upon this inclusive environment by organizing new social activities, perhaps even our own book club! Outside the lab, I enjoy reading books, talking to dogs and now exploring NYC!
Alba Ballerini, PhD
System Genetics
Start date: August 2024
Hi! I’m Alba, and I recently joined the Postdoc community at NYU. I believe that science is not only about experiments but also about people — community is fundamental to research, and I want to help build an environment where we all feel connected and supported. As the saying goes, “alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much,” and that is the spirit I hope to bring to our postdoc community. Outside the lab, I love exploring the city, traveling, and discovering new food spots.
Kenji Fujihara, PhD
Department: Pathology, Radiation Oncology
Start date: October 2021
G’day everyone! I’m a postdoc in the Possemato/Pacold labs, working on developing and deploying novel functional genomics and drug discovery approaches in oncology. I’ve been around the block a few times and would love to the opportunity to join the PDA Council as a member. I aim to support diverse career paths beyond PI roles, with a focus on industry drug development and clinical medicine. In my free time, I train and compete internationally as an aerobic gymnast.
Veronica Uribe Echevarria, PhD
Veronica Uribe Echevarria, PhD
Medicine (Endocrinology)
Start date: June 2019
I’m growing both scientifically and personally at NYU Langone Health. The postdoc journey is exciting but can feel like a blind spot. Support and clarity make a big difference. This community has given me so much—now it’s time to give back. It’s more than a network; it’s a safe space where real friendships form. Volunteering has deepened my appreciation for inclusivity. Outside the lab, I enjoy exploring the city, soccer, travel, and playing music.
Louise Schenberg, PhD
Louise Schenberg, PhD
Neuroscience
Start date: 11/13/2024
I’ve been a postdoc for almost a year in the Neuroscience Department, working on the vestibular system. From the start, PDA events have made a big difference in helping me feel at home. They’ve been a great way to meet other postdocs and made settling in much easier. Since this support meant a lot to me, I’d love to give back and keep that welcoming vibe going. Outside of work, I enjoy running to coffee and pastry shops, reading, and traveling.
Nicolo Mangraviti, PhD
Nicolo Mangraviti, PhD
Neuroscience
Start date:: 01/01/2025
Hi, I’m Nicoló Mangraviti! I’m from Italy and now a postdoc in Prof. Orna Issler’s lab at NYU. Before New York, I worked at MaasU and at Yale, where I helped build communities as Secretary/Coordinator in MaasU and Co-Coordinator for Community & Networking at Yale. I also love improvisational theater and once ran the Maastricht Theater group. If elected, I’d bring energy to fun social events, creative improv workshops, and entrepreneurial collaborations!
Click here to see my full candidate profile!
Fabio Alfieri, PhD
Fabio Alfieri, PhD
Systems Genetics
Start date: April 2025
Hi! I’m Fabio. I just joined the postdoc community at NYUGSoM. I’m passionate about science, but I’m equally inspired by the sense of community that comes with it. I love how international, welcoming, and collaborative the NYU postdoc community is, and I’m excited to contribute to it. Being part of the PDA Council feels like a wonderful way to help build connections, support fellows. Outside the lab, I enjoy doing sports, going to the theater, taking photos, and spending time with friends.
Yanina Kuzminich, PhD Department
Start date: 01/01/2025
My postdoc research is focused on understanding genetics of complex diseases and identifying therapeutic opportunities. Since joining NYUSOM, I’ve enjoyed numerous PDA-organized and promoted workshops and events. As a PDA council candidate, I aim to support postdoc career planning by expanding professional development opportunities across academia, industry, and non-traditional career paths. Outside of the lab, I enjoy practicing arial silks, traveling, exploring art and NYC.
Click here to see my full candidate profile!
Federico Castelli, PhD
Neurology
Start date: May 2025
I moved from the UK to the US this May and know how important it is to feel part of a supportive community when starting somewhere new. As a postdoc in the Neurology department, I work on stroke rehabilitation using neurophysiology measurements. Through the Council, I hope to foster inclusion, connection, and support for fellow postdocs.
In my spare time, I enjoy staying active and exploring new places with curiosity.
Mark Stoessel, PhD
Mark Stoessel, PhD
Neuroscience
Start date: April 2025
Hello! I’m Mark, and I recently joined the Jayeeta Basu’s lab in the neuroscience department. My research interests lie in the role of dendritic integration in hippocampal memory and two-photon imaging. I just moved here from Rochester NY, and though everything is very new it’s been a great experience so far! Outside the lab I love to cook, read, bike around New York, fumble around on bass, and explore. I’m excited to get involved in the PDA here at Langone and build community in a new space.
Ritchlynn Aranha, PhD
Perlmutter Cancer Center
Start date: October 2024
After joining NYU last year, I learned about the PDA's regular events at NYUGSOM and decided to attend the Tuesday coffee hour. I discovered a tight-knit postdoc community that helped me make friends, build a sense of community in NYC, explore interesting science, and foster collaborations. As a PDA member, I aim to cultivate this sense of belonging for incoming postdocs and support their career development.
In my spare time, I play in a pool league, listen to jazz, and hang with my cat
Woo Ri Bae, PhD
Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
Start date: June 2022
My work explores how cells safeguard genome stability under replication stress, with a focus on replication fork dynamics, DNA repair pathways, and replication timing. On the Postdoc Council, I hope to strengthen our community by building connections, supporting newcomers, and advancing outreach efforts. I love sharing science and working with students, and outside the lab I enjoy museums, musicals, films, and live performances, along with discovering new foods and cultural experiences.
Ravina Moirangthem, PhD
Ravina Moirangthem, PhD
Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
Start date: 07/17/2024
I am a biochemist who has dabbled in the fields of DNA damage and repair. As a postdoc for a year, I have experienced my fair share of the challenges and I would love to be part of a council that ease some of those bumps along the way.
Outside the lab, when I am not brewing over the frustration of failed experiments, I am brewing coffee, exploring cute cafes, hiking, running, and cooking. With a dash of enthusiasm and love for the community, I hope to make the community feel like a second home.
Click here to see my full candidate profile!
Alok Kumar Gupta, PhD
Alok Kumar Gupta, PhD
Department of Ophthalmology
Start date: July 2021
I have been a postdoc at the Tech4Health Institute/Ophthalmology since 2021, where I work on optical imaging for human retinal diseases. Outside of research, I enjoy listening to music, reading books, and running.
I really liked the events organized by the Postdoc Council, especially in my first few years, as they gave opportunities to explore New York City and connect with peers. I am grateful for this supportive community and would be glad to contribute as part of the it.
Click here to see my full candidate profile!
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