View the Society’s Constitution here.
COMMITTEE
President – Raffaele Bonadio
[email protected]
Raffaele is a seismologist at the Bullard Laboratories, where he investigates the structure and dynamics of the Earth’s interior. His research combines seismic imaging and rock physics to understand tectonic plates, earthquakes, and volcanism, with applications in seismic hazard assessment and geothermal energy exploration. An active member of the Trinity College Postdoctoral Society since arriving in Cambridge, he previously served as Family Events Officer, working to make the Society more inclusive and welcoming for postdoctoral researchers and their families.
As the current President, he is committed to strengthening the relationship between the Society and the College, promoting the contributions of postdoctoral researchers, and fostering a vibrant, open, well-represented, and engaged postdoctoral community within and beyond the College community.
Secretary – Camille Dumas
[email protected]
After completing her PhD in developmental biology in France (Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille, Kelly Lab), Camille joined the Storer Lab at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute in September 2024, where she studies digit tip regeneration. Digit tips are one of the rare exemple of true mammalian regeneration, and her research focuses on understanding it, and mapping the spatial and temporal dynamics of this process, from wound closure to bone regrowth. Camille has a particular interest on understanding the finite capacity of regeneration observed in mice: they can only grow their digit tips so many times… Why, is the question.
Outside the lab, she loves reading, cycling, meeting friends at a pub, and rowing with Trinity College. Camille previously served TCPDS as Sports and Social Events Officer.
Treasurer – Sarah Kaarina Crockford
[email protected]
Sarah is a postdoctoral researcher in the Neuroinformatics Group (PI: Richard Bethlehem) in the Department of Psychology. Her research focuses on developing novel approaches to quantify human variability and individual uniqueness across behavioural, cognitive, and neuroimaging modalities, with the aim of advancing our understanding of individual neurodevelopmental trajectories and outcomes.
Prior to joining Cambridge, Sarah was a postdoctoral researcher at the Italian Institute of Technology, where she investigated individual profiles of eye-tracking behaviour (“gaze fingerprinting”). She completed her PhD at Trinity College, Cambridge, where she studied multilingualism and autism under the supervision of Prof. Napoleon Katsos (Linguistics) and Prof. Jenny Gibson (Education).
Sarah is currently treasurer of TCPDS and was previously a member of the Trinity may ball committee so, come June, you can still find her around college wear a high vis and lifting the occasional trestle table.
Events Officers
[email protected]
Vice President
Nandini is a Research Associate in the Early Cancer Institute and a visiting scientist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. She works on understanding the genomic and transcriptomic landscape of an inherited form of gastric cancer, with the aim to uncover mechanisms underlying disease progression and discover biomarkers for risk stratification. Before joining the University, Nandini worked on studying the epigenetic regulation of cancer metastasis in Singapore.
Cultural Affairs Officer
Ahsen’s research is focused on biomarker discovery and development for the earlier detection of oesophageal cancer using a minimally invasive capsule sponge at the Fitzgerald lab in the Early Cancer Institute. Recently securing the Derek Butler postdoctoral fellowship from Guts UK, her research area will expand to include studies on a benign allergic pathology known as eosinophilic oesophagitis, an uncomfortable condition which is increasing in younger people. Passionate about translational research which makes impact for patients, she also hosts a podcast called Coffee Break Science to amplify patient stories while showcasing the world-leading research happening at the university. When she is not doing science, Ahsen loves hiking, creative writing, and reading.
Academic Events and Networking Officer
Zixuan (Joy) is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Heart and Lung Research Institute, where she works on cardiovascular medicine using spatial and single-cell transcriptomics. She previously completed her PhD in immune dermatology in Shanghai. Her research journey spans immunology, dermatology, cardiovascular medicine, and genomics, giving her a strong appreciation for interdisciplinary approaches to biomedical research. As the Academic Officer for the Trinity Postdoc Society, she is passionate about promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and supporting initiatives that connect researchers across diverse fields.
Family Officer
Martha is a Research Associate at the Centre for Natural Material Innovation, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge, where she works on the HORIZON Europe WOODCIRCLES project. Prior to joining Cambridge, she completed her PhD in structural engineering at UCL and worked in both architecture and engineering. Her current research focuses on timber circularity, material flow analysis and urban building stock. She is delighted to be joining as the new Family Events Officer and looks forward to bringing members with families together through events and Family Lunches throughout the year.
Sports Officer
Giacomo is a Research Associate in the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics (DPMMS). He previously completed his PhD in Mathematics at the University of Bath. His research focuses on the analysis of nonlinear partial differential equations. He studies the formation of singularities in physical phenomena, from a dynamical perspective, such as the development of turbulence in fluid flows. These mechanisms are theoretically fundamental yet poorly understood even in the simplest models. Away from research, Giacomo enjoys particularly playing tennis, running and organising sports activities within the Society.
Music Officer
David is a Clinical Lecturer in Medical Oncology at the University of Cambridge and postdoctoral researcher in cancer-associated structural biology at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB) in the laboratory of Chris Tate FRS. David is also a violinist, and within our Postdoctoral Society, David organises the Concert and Music Group.
Stand for election
Committee elections are held annually at some point during the Easter Vacation or Easter Term. The current Committee will give plenty of notice as to the precise date. The positions of President, Secretary, and Treasurer are elected; other positions are appointed by the incoming committee.
Nominations open about two weeks before the election day and close five days before, with the process being run by an Election Officer appointed by the outgoing Committee. You’ll need to contact the Election Officer to confirm your willingness to stand, and find two other members of the Society to “propose” and “second” your nomination. If only one candidate stands, under ordinary circumstances the election will be cancelled and that candidate declared elected.
Other ways to get involved
- Use the Deighton Room. It is your space, and we would like it to be a place where members cultivate a community.
- You can suggest Society events. If you want to see something happen, please tell your Committee.