ECE Student Kshipra S. Kapoor Co-leads Student Network on Extracellular Vesicles

The network provides early career researchers and students a platform to discuss, connect and foster collaborations

Kshipra S. Kapoor

Student Network on Extracellular Vesicles (SNEV) is a one-of-a-kind organization! Given the last couple of years we have had with COVID, any chance to meet and interact with other researchers is golden. As the EV field proliferates, it is increasingly important that students connect and work together. SNEV is like having a peer-support group, which can have a profound impact on student research and overall experience. The fresh and lively SNEV community is an excellent resource for worldwide diverse young scientists to gather together for a unique educational experience in extracellular vesicles and beyond.” Said Kapoor. 

Kshipra S. Kapoor is a doctoral student in electrical and computer engineering at Rice. Her doctoral research at the MD Anderson Cancer Center focuses on materials sciences and bioengineering. She works on dissecting the exosome heterogeneity between healthy and cancer cells-derived nanovesicles and advancing the understanding of exosomes classes in cancer. 

The current president of SNEV, Amir N. Kenari from La Trobe University in Australia, invited Kapoor to lead and manage the events in June 2020. 

“While we have seen a corresponding increase in the number of professional societies, workshops, and online platforms relating to EVs, we haven’t seen anything specific to students.” Said Amir. “This called for the creation of a student-run platform that could connect students researching EVs worldwide, especially providing support for regions where EV research is limited by a shortage of facilities or funding.”

The SNEV is a student-founded and student-led virtual platform that connects students and professionals interested in the field of extracellular vesicles (EV). The initiative aims to build its growing network of diverse undergraduate, graduate and industry leaders in the field, and create a pipeline for future underrepresented researchers seeking EV careers.

SNEV has organized 45 events thus far, including a variety of talks. The talks include postdoctoral fellows discussing their research and the transition from Ph.D. to postdoctoral research, industrial talks featuring scientists sharing work experience and how they transitioned from academia to industry, and NASA scientists discussing space biology. 

The initiative also leads Science Communications Workshops, a series of events covering topics from grant writing to scientific outreach.

The group has swiftly grown to 570 active members from 50 different countries. Student memberships start as early as high school and includes individuals from almost every age bracket. It stays engaged and connected with members through its growing social networks which includes over 1,000 connections on Twitter.