The SURPAS Leadership Team
The SURPAS Leadership Team
The leadership team is a core group of council members who ensure the smooth-running of SURPAS affairs and progress of the postdoc situation at Stanford and nationwide. We work closely with the rest of the SURPAS Council and Committees, as well as Stanford administration (primarily the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA), VPGE, etc.) to make sure the voices and needs of postdocs are well heard and represented.
Leadership positions are yearlong. With the exception of the mid-year co-chair, elections are typically in June for a leadership transition in July. The mid-year co-chair is elected in January with a one year term, to ensure continuity in leadership. To run for leadership positions, you must be a council member, which means you must have attended at least one meeting prior to leadership elections.
Current SURPAS Leadership
Sushrima Gan
Co-Chair
Sushrima is a Statistical Geneticist currently serving as a post-doctoral scholar in Pediatric Cardiology. Her focus is in using multi-omics approaches to investigate drug response within multi-ethnic populations, contributing to the evolution of precision medicine and personalized therapy. Sushrima has completed her PhD from the University of Dundee, Scotland. she explored the difference in diabetes treatment responses between White Europeans and Asian Indians. Following her interest in multi-omics and for predicting the risk of complications, She flew to the United States in 2022 and joined the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where she researched the genomics and proteomics of heart failure in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. At present Sushrima is a post-doctoral scholar in Stanford University and works on Risk Prediction modelling in Pediatric Heart Failure. Sushrima is also the co-founder of an India based non-profit, Kzarvani Foundation, where she focuses on leveraging education in all spheres as a powerful tool to drive positive change in rural areas and reducing the digital divide. Her passion in teaching leads her to work with tribal children in various areas in India including climatic hotspots like Sunderbans. As Co-Chair of SURPAS, Dr. Gan aims to build a more inclusive and supportive environment where every postdoc feels empowered to contribute to their fullest potential. Her goal is to introduce initiatives that amplify postdoc voices in decision-making, ensuring our community’s needs are heard and met effectively.
Co-Chair
Dr. Shashank Chetty’s journey into the world of regenerative medicine began with a passion for solving complex health problems. Growing up in India, he was always fascinated by the potential of science to transform lives. This led him to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Anna University. It was here that he first delved into the realm of cellular therapies, igniting his curiosity about the immense possibilities of stem cells. With a desire to further his knowledge, Shashank continued his education, earning a Master’s degree with an Honorary Gold Medal. His dedication and keen interest in nanotechnology then took him to Pondicherry University, where he completed his Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Technology. During his doctoral studies, he explored the potential of advanced nanomaterials for early cancer diagnosis, laying a strong foundation for his future in biomedical research. At Stanford University, Shashank’s research took an exciting turn. He began working with pulsed-focused ultrasound technology, aiming to enhance the therapeutic properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their extracellular vesicles. His groundbreaking work earned him the prestigious Maternal and Child Health Research Institute Award. Shashank’s study focused on improving the bioenergetic potential of MSCs for islet transplantation, leveraging the power of sound waves to boost stem cell therapy outcomes. Beyond the lab, Shashank’s leadership extends to various clubs and NGOs, where he has supported community-driven projects. As Co-Chair of the Stanford University Postdoctoral Association (SURPAS), he envisions building a strong support network for postdocs, enhancing their professional development, and creating a collaborative environment where innovation can thrive.
Open position
Advocacy Coordinator
Edina Poletto
Events Coordinator
Dr. Edina Poletto is a 2nd year postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Pediatrics. She works on translational research, focusing on gene therapy for rare genetic diseases. Specifically, she uses genome-edited hematopoietic stem cells to treat lysosomal diseases.
Edina enjoys hiking, concerts, and Renaissance fairs. She joined SURPAS as the Event Coordinator to help postdocs get together, build community and have a good time.
Marwa Zafarullah
Communications Director
Dr. Marwa Zafarullah, a first-year postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, is actively engaged in exploring molecular changes at the single-cell level in various neuromuscular disorders. Her primary objective is to identify biomarkers that can contribute to targeted drug development. Prior to joining Stanford, Marwa earned her Ph.D. in Integrative Genetics and Genomics (IGG) from the University of California, Davis, with a specific focus on neuroscience, human genetics, and functional genomics. During her graduate training, Dr. Zafarullah showcased her leadership skills by representing the community at esteemed forums, such as the UCD Graduate Student Association and the UCD Chancellor Graduate and Professional Student Advisory Board. Additionally, she played a key role in establishing the First Friends and MENTOR program, emphasizing the enhancement of mentor-mentee relationships within the academic community.
As the Communication Director at SURPAS, she endeavors to leverage her unique combination of scientific expertise and interpersonal skills to cultivate an inclusive space for researchers. Marwa envisions SURPAS as a central hub where effective communication serves as a cornerstone in fostering a vibrant and supportive research community. Outside the realms of science and SURPAS, Marwa explores her passion for culinary arts by trying new recipes. She also indulges in her love for good music, enjoys Netflix, and cherishes moments spent with her family.
Rohita Roy
Operations Manager
Dr. Rohita Roy is a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, specializing in synthetic biology and bioengineering. With a PhD from IIT Bombay, her research delves into understanding population dynamics using synthetic gene circuits and quorum sensing bacteria. Beyond her scientific endeavors, Rohita is passionate about fostering community connections and exploring interdisciplinary innovations. An avid artist and social enthusiast, she enjoys drawing, singing, dancing, and hosting vibrant cultural gatherings, believing in holistic personal and professional growth.
Open position
Finance Officer
Marta Blanco Pozo
Social Media Manager and Web Manager
Dr. Marta Blanco-Pozo is a 1st-year postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Biology, exploring how different brain regions inter-communicate to support learning and decision-making. She obtained her PhD at the University of Oxford, studying the dopamine system during flexible behavior.
Marta enjoys being active, some of her hobbies are dancing, rock climbing, and exploring the world. As the Social Media Manager, her goal is to provide postdocs with a sense of community and belonging and share all the resources available to them.
Lisa N. Cruz
Community Engagement Liaison
Dr. Lisa N. Cruz is a 2nd year postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. She received her PhD from Yeshiva University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; MA from Harvard University; and BA from Stony Brook University. Her speciality area is clinical neuropsychology, with research focusing on identifying biomarkers of cognitive decline to aid in assessment and intervention. Her dissertation investigated EEG mobile brain body imaging to assess executive and motor functions in autism spectrum disorder, and more recently she focuses on adults. With SURPAS, her goal is to build and maintain community amongst postdocs, as well as provide support and resources. Outside of work and SURPAS, she enjoys international travel, being in nature, yoga, running, snowboarding, and spending time with her fur babies (two cats!).
