Soumya Rahima Benhabbour

Soumya Rahima Benhabbour, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC-NCSU, and Adjunct Associate Professor at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. She is also the Founder and Director of AnelleO, Inc., a women-led startup company dedicated to advancing women’s health through innovative drug delivery technologies. She has been a part of the University of North Carolina since 2008, and has served in her current faculty role since 2017. Dr. Benhabbour’s career combines a rigorous foundation in chemistry—earned through her Ph.D. from McMaster University and M.S. from the University of Minnesota, Duluth—with a focus on translational research in drug delivery and product development. She is recognized for her dual role as both an academic and entrepreneur, balancing laboratory research, teaching, mentoring, and the operational responsibilities of her startup. Her typical day involves interacting with her team members, grant writing, reviewing manuscripts, mentoring students and postdoctoral fellows, interacting with industry and research partners, and managing the diverse challenges of leading both academic and entrepreneurial endeavors, with an emphasis on prioritization, efficiency, and meeting critical deadlines and milestones. Dr. Benhabbour’s research program focuses on developing next-generation biomedical technologies to address critical health challenges, particularly in women’s health and HIV prevention. Her work is driven by making impact on human health and global health, and harnesses innovation in engineering to design innovative polymer-based drug delivery devices, including a first-of-its-kind 3D printed intravaginal ring (IVR) platform technology, ultra-long-acting injectable formulations for drug delivery and cell therapies, and advanced nanotechnology platforms for targeted drug delivery, including applications in cancer therapeutics. Her research covers small molecules, biologics, and cell therapies, and is driven by a commitment to translating innovative laboratory discoveries into practical, life-changing solutions. Among her professional accomplishments, she highlights the development of novel technologies for women’s health, founding a startup company for women's health, and the mentorship of students to become the next generation innovators in the biomedical field. She also serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Controlled Release (JCR), Drug Delivery and Translational Research (DDTR), and the Journal of Pharmaceutical and BioTech Industry, contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge in drug delivery and biomedical engineering. Beyond her professional work, Dr. Benhabbour is passionate about travel, outdoor activities, photography, and exploring different cultures around the world. She values spending quality time with family and friends and has nurtured a lifelong interest in photography, inspired by a childhood dream of working with National Geographic. She is also deeply committed to charitable initiatives that align with her mission in global health and family planning, including the Gates Foundation, CONRAD, CAMI Health, and FHI360. She emphasizes the importance of passion, curiosity, and persistence in driving success, particularly in science and research, and encourages young women entering her field to pursue their interests with dedication, resilience, and confidence to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.