Our Team.
Our multidisciplinary team comprises scientists from various fields, including pharmacology, nanotechnology, molecular biology, and bioengineering, working collaboratively to advance innovative cancer treatments.
Jennifer de Jong
MSc student
Shanchana Srinivasan
MSc student
Milena Kuhn
MSc student
Flávia Sousa
Flávia Sousa is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Netherlands. She holds a background in pharmacy and earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Porto, Portugal. Following her doctoral studies, Dr. Sousa pursued postdoctoral research at Imperial College London, subsequently securing a prestigious Marie Curie MINDED fellowship at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy (2021-2022), and an independent Women-in-Science (WINS) research fellowship from NCCR Bio-inspired Materials at the Adolphe Merkle Institute, Fribourg, Switzerland (2022-2024).
As a drug delivery scientist, Dr. Sousa is at the forefront of developing innovative biological nanotherapies for brain cancer treatment. Her pioneering research focuses on encapsulating anti-angiogenic monoclonal antibodies to enhance their efficacy in treating glioblastoma by normalizing tumor vasculature and the tumor microenvironment. Currently, she is advancing the development of a cancer nanovaccine for glioblastoma using state-of-the-art nanotechnology.
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Dr. Sousa's groundbreaking work has led to promising advancements in brain cancer treatment, earning her numerous prestigious international grants, including the Fulbright program, the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship, MIT Innovators Under 35, and the Female Science Talents initiative. Over the past five years, she has authored more than 40 publications, received 13 scientific awards from various countries, garnered over 2000 citations, and achieved an H-index of 24.
Education
2013 - Master in Pharmaceutical Sciences, IUCS, Portugal
2019- PhD in Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
Employment
2020 - Postdoc at Imperial College London, London, UK
2021 - MSCA fellow at Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
2022 - Senior Researcher at Adolphe Merkle Instituto, Fribourg, Switzerland
2024 - Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at University of Groningen, Netherlands
Fatima Hameedat
I am a second-year PhD student who joined Dr. Flavia Sousa's laboratory in July 2023. It has been an absolute pleasure to move countries as part of her laboratory. During the PhD journey, we are focusing on gene and protein delivery to develop nanovaccines to treat Glioblastoma.
A brief introduction of myself, I obtained my Master's degree in Drug Delivery of Nanomedicine as part of the Erasmus Mundus joint master degree (EMJMD) in 2022, where I did an internship for 3-months in gene delivery at the University of Paris and a thesis internship for 6-months in protein delivery in i3s institute in University of Porto. In addition, I got my Bachelor's degree in Science of Pharmacy from Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2018. Before starting the academic journey, I worked in both a research laboratory and the community pharmacy to explore the pharmacy field, and my curiosity in nanomedicine guided me happily. Also, after my master's and before my PhD, I worked for a short time in the industry in the field of developing vaccines, and it encouraged me to continue my academic journey.
The PhD journey is not only about science in a closed laboratory, but also I am joining some scientific meetings from time to time; conferences, workshops, and seminars. I am also keen to know if I will reach other goals I set beside pursing the degree, is to improve my tennis and sewing skills, and hopefully, improving the leadership skills.
Jennifer
de Jong
I am a first-year Master’s student studying Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment at the University of Groningen. From February 2025, I will join Dr. Flávia Sousa’s lab for my first research project, where I will primarily work alongside PhD student Fatima. This project is an exciting opportunity for me to delve deeper into innovative treatments and develop my laboratory and research skills.
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During my Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at the University of Bristol, I completed an 8-week research project on protein biology, which sparked my interest in molecular medicine. Additionally, I gained valuable experience through a short internship at the Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy, researching doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles as a treatment for melanoma. These experiences have driven my curiosity and passion for contributing to advancements in medical research.
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What motivated me to pursue this Master’s program is the chance to work alongside exceptional researchers and complete two research projects, allowing me to explore different areas within the broad field of molecular medicine. While I have yet to find a specific focus, I am eager to broaden my knowledge and discover where my interests align most closely.
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Outside the lab, I enjoy crochet and running, which help me stay balanced during my academic journey. Looking ahead, I aspire to pursue a career in academia, contributing to impactful research in molecular medicine.
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I am thrilled to join Dr. Flávia Sousa’s lab and am excited to learn from this incredible team while gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge research.
Shanchana Srinivasan
I am first year Master’s student studying Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment in University of Groningen. Starting in February 2025, I will join Dr. Flavia Sousa’s laboratory to begin working on my first research project.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Manipal School of Life Sciences, India, where I completed a six-month internship investigating pollen from various jasmine cultivars. Following this, I took on a year- long honours program, which culminated in July 2023, researching the molecular pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in diabetic foot ulcers. Additionally, I completed a eight- week internship program at Cancer Institute(WIA), Chennai, where I trained in immunological assays and biochemical tests that are routinely performed on patient samples. This internship program provided an opportunity to work with biomedical researchers closely and learn how the system differs from academia.
I primarily applied to this research master’s programme to have the opportunity to research and explore different areas and collaborate with researchers from diverse backgrounds. Obtaining the Eric Bleumink Fellowship Talent Grant in September 2024 helped materialise these aspirations.
Outside of academics, I mostly spend my time reading old novels, listening to movie soundtracks and baking. I am eager to join Dr. Flavia’s lab, as the skills and experiences I gain from this internship will help refine my career goals and research interests.
Milena Kuhn
I am a first year Master’s student studying Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Groningen. Starting in February 2025, I will begin my first Research project of the Master’s programme in Dr. Flávia Sousa’s lab. I am eager to gain valuable insight the development of nanovaccines for the treatment of glioblastoma.
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Prior to this, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy at the University of Groningen. For my Bachelor project, I worked in Prof. Frank Dekker’s Research group in the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Biology, focusing on the design and synthesis of novel zinc-binding groups for HDAC inhibitors. This experience allowed me to develop my skills in planning and executing projects in the laboratory while gaining experience in chemical synthesis and enzyme activity analysis.
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After being introduced to the work of Dr. Sousa’s Research group on brain cancer a few months ago, I was eager to join her team of dedicated scientists working on innovative approaches to glioblastoma treatment. Working in Dr. Sousa’s lab will allow me to gain hands-on experience in nonvaccine development, focusing on STING-based immunotherapy by designing an injectable hydrogel-based in situ vaccine.
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In my free time, I enjoy climbing and cycling with friends to balance my academic life with physical and social activities, keeping me focused and motivated. Looking ahead, I am working towards becoming a researcher in the pharmaceutical field either in academic or the industry.
