PhD Students from CNC-UC Head to the USA to Study Sleep and Develop Formulations to Alleviate Brain Ageing

18/05/2023
Rafaela Ferrão and Catarina Carvalhas-Almeida

Rafaela Ferrão and Catarina Carvalhas-Almeida

Catarina Carvalhas-Almeida and Rafaela Ferrão, PhD students at CNC-UC, have recently been awarded Fulbright Program scholarships. These scholarships provide students with the opportunity to conduct research in the United States of America. Both students are currently working on their doctoral theses in the field of neuroscience and biotechnology.
 
Catarina Almeida is enrolled in the PhD program in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Coimbra, under the supervision of Professor Cláudia Cavadas, the leader of the "Neuroendocrinology and Aging" group at CNC-UC. Her research project focuses on studying the impact of sleep deprivation on the interaction between neurons and glial cells. With the Fulbright scholarship, her work will be complemented through collaboration with the Sehgal laboratory at the Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, University of Pennsylvania, USA. Catarina aims to provide new insights into how glia and neurons generate biological rhythms to regulate sleep, with a particular emphasis on the neurological consequences of sleep deprivation, a prevalent issue in society.
 
Rafaela Ferrão is a student in the PhD program in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra. Her doctoral research is focused on developing a nanoparticle-based formulation capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (a physiological barrier between the bloodstream and the brain) and eliminating senescent brain cells, which may contribute to cognitive dysfunctions associated with aging. Her research is supervised by Professor Lino Ferreira, the leader of the "Advanced Therapies" group at CNC-UC. The Fulbright scholarship will enable collaboration with the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation in Los Angeles, California, where the young researcher will test nanoformulations and evaluate their permeation across the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, she will assess the impact of the nanoformulations on the barrier properties and their anti-senescence effects on other brain cells.
 
With the Fulbright scholarships, both scientists now have the opportunity to work in international research groups, significantly enhancing the development of their research projects.
 
Carolina Caetano

We use cookies to improve your visit to our website.