Medical Researcher

Catarina investigates the contribution of adenosinergic system dysregulation and impaired BDNF/TrkB signaling in Rett Syndrome, with a particular focus on their potential as therapeutic targets.
She has developed solid expertise in in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experimental methodologies. Her laboratory skills include western blot, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and RT‑qPCR. She is proficient in rodent handling and welfare in the context of Rett Syndrome models, as well as behavioural testing and drug administration. Her ex vivo experience encompasses brain isolation and dissection, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and organ collection, and electrophysiological recordings, providing an integrated framework for translational neuroscience research.
Catarina completed the CAML PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences with specialization in Neurosciences at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2016–2022), following a Master in Neurosciences (2013–2015) and a Bachelor in Biochemistry (2010–2013), both at the University of Lisbon. She also holds an Integrated Master in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2017–2023). Her clinical career currently includes a Residency in Family Medicine at Unidade de Saúde Local – Hospital São José (2025–2029).

ORCID: 0000-0002-9633-7999
E-mail: catarinalourenco@medicina.ulisboa.pt

Research Fellow

Leonor holds a Master in Neurosciences from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2015-2018) and a Bachelor in Biology from Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa (2012-2015).
More recently, Leonor has focused on elucidating the mechanistic modulation of the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway in Epilepsy. Her pHD work was completed within the CAML PhD Program – NeurULisboa: Integrated Neurosciences at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon.
She has developed broad technical expertise across in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo methodologies. Her laboratory skills include western blotting, ELISA, and immunofluorescence, complemented by extensive experience in rodent handling and welfare, particularly within the kainate‑induced rat model of mTLE, as well as behavioural testing, drug administration, and stereotaxic surgeries. She is also proficient in brain isolation, cerebrospinal fluid, blood and organ collection, and electrophysiological recordings, supporting a comprehensive experimental approach to epilepsy research.

ORCID: 0000-0001-7788-8210
E-mail: leonorrodrigues@medicina.ulisboa.pt

PhD Student

Mafalda holds a Master in Medical Biochemistry (2019-2021) and a Bachelor in Biochemistry (2014-2018), both from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbo-
Mafalda is now a researcher in the CAML PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, with specialization in Neurosciences, at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2023–2026). Her work focuses on microglia‑mediated neuroinflammation and BDNF/TrkB signaling in Alzheimer’s disease.
Her laboratory experience includes in vitro techniques (primary microglial and neuronal cultures, CHME3 cell lines, western blotting, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, calcium imaging, viral transduction and RT-qPCR), in vivo techniques (rodent handling and welfare, behavioural tests, drug administration) and in ex vivo techniques (brain isolation and dissection, organ, blood and cerebrospinal fluid collection, perfusions) and biological samples processing.

ORCID: 0000-0001-5074-8154
E-mail: mafalda.manso@medicina.ulisboa.pt

PhD Student

Sara holds a Master in Neurosciences (2019–2021) from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon and a Bachelor in Biology (2016–2019) from Escola de Psicologia e Ciências da Vida, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias.
Sara is now a researcher in the CAML PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, with specialization in Neurosciences, at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2025–2028). Her work focuses on the search for novel therapeutic strategies targeting Alzheimer’s disease mechanisms, with particular emphasis on the BDNF/TrkB‑FL signalling pathway.
Her laboratory experience includes in vitro techniques (neuronal cultures, neuroblastoma cell lines, western blotting, immunofluorescence), in vivo techniques (rodent handling and procedures, drug administration), and ex vivo techniques (brain isolation and dissection, organ collection, electrophysiological recordings), as well as biological sample processing.

ORCID: 0000-0002-1604-656X
E-mail: sara86oliveira@medicina.ulisboa.pt

PhD Student

Henrique holds an Integrated Master in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2014–2018) and previously completed part of his medical training at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Madeira (2012–2014). He is currently undertaking a Residency in Internal Medicine at Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa – Hospital Santa Maria (2019–2027).
Henrique is now a researcher in the CAML PhD Program in Medicine, with specialization in Pharmacology, at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2024–2026). His work focuses on the pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles of a new compound designed by the team for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
His laboratory experience includes intermediate proficiency in in vitro techniques (endothelial cell cultures, western blotting, cell viability assays), as well as proficiency in in vivo techniques (rodent handling and welfare, drug administration). His ex vivo experience includes brain isolation and dissection, organ and blood collection, and toxicity and necropsy studies.

ORCID: 0000-0002-2270-8275
E-mail: henriquebarbacena@medicina.ulisboa.pt

Postdoctoral Fellow

Joana holds a Master in Molecular Biology and Genetics (2016–2018) and a Bachelor in Biochemistry (2013–2016), both from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon.
Joana recently completed the CAML PhD Program – NeurULisboa: Integrative Neurosciences at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2019–2025). Her work focuses on synaptic physiology and astrocyte–neuron communication, aiming to uncover mechanisms through which astrocytic CB1 receptors and adenosine signaling modulate synaptic plasticity and depression‑related behaviors.
She is proficient in in vitro techniques (primary astrocytic cultures, HEK293 cell lines, radiolabeled assays, immunofluorescence, calcium imaging), in vivo techniques (rodent handling and welfare, behavioural tests, drug administration), and ex vivo techniques (brain isolation and dissection, extracellular and dual patch‑clamp electrophysiological recordings).

ORCID: 0000-0002-5194-6512
E-mail: jgribeiro@medicina.ulisboa.pt

MSc student

Madalena holds a Bachelor in Biology from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (2020–2023).
Mariana is now a MSc student focusing on understanding potential neurogenic mechanisms in epilepsy, with particular emphasis on the BDNF/TrkB signaling system.
Her laboratory experience includes some in vitro methodologies, particularly immunohistochemistry.

ORCID: 0009-0005-5172-7693
E-mail: madalena.leandro@medicina.ulisboa.pt

PhD Student

Nuno holds an Integrated Master in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2017–2023). He is currently undertaking a Residency in Internal Medicine at Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa – Hospital Santa Maria (2025–2029).
Nuno is now a researcher in the CAML PhD Program in Medicine, with specialization in Pharmacology, at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2025–2027). His work focuses on the study of BDNF/TrkB signaling dysregulation in Alzheimer’s disease.
His laboratory experience includes some in vitro methodologies (western blotting and biological sample processing) and ex vivo procedures (brain isolation, cerebrospinal fluid and blood collection).

ORCID: 0000-0003-2100-1240
E-mail: naleman@medicina.ulisboa.pt

MSc Student

Carolina holds an Integrated Master in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2017–2023).
Carolina is now a MSc student focusing on the study of BDNF/TrkB signaling dysregulation in Alzheimer’s disease.
Her laboratory experience includes in vitro methodologies, particularly western blotting.

ORCID: 0000-0003-2100-1240
E-mail: carolinamarcal@edu.ulisboa.pt