Ana Maria Portugal

Assistant Researcher (ERA Fellow) | PhD | Mother

Porto, Porto, Portugal

About

I have over 10 years of experience in neuroscience research, with a PostDoc at the Karolinska Institute and Uppsala University, a PhD in Psychology from Birkbeck, University of London, and double MSc degrees in Health Science (University of Minho) and Developmental Science (Birkbeck). I am always looking for new challenges and opportunities. Key Skills ---Data analysis and programming - 10+ years of experience in Matlab and R. - Expertise in signal analysis, time-series/event data, and advanced statistical methods (e.g., generalized estimating equations, structural equation modeling, cluster analysis). ---Research Methodology -10+ years of experience in psychology research methodology, including eye-tracking, EEG, and various standardized and experimental instruments. ---Scientific writing -Published first-author articles in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, including JAMA Pediatrics and Nature Human Behaviour. ---Communication -Proven ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, including the media, parents, and practitioners. ---Collaboration and leadership -Peer support, individual-level supervision, and team building in international and multidisciplinary environments.

Experience

  • Assistant Researcher (ERA Fellow) at CIPsi | Centro de Investigação em Psicologia da Universidade do Minho
    Nov 2025 - Present · 9 mos

  • Postdoc at ProChild CoLAB
    Apr 2024 - Oct 2025 · 1 yr 7 mos

  • Uppsala University (2 yrs)
    • Postdoctoral Researcher
      Apr 2022 - Mar 2024 · 2 yrs

    • Full-time parenting
      Jul 2022 - Apr 2023 · 10 mos

  • Postdoctoral Researcher at Karolinska institutet
    Mar 2020 - Mar 2022 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    At the Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, I analyzed data collected as part of an infant twin study (+500 infants) to understand the etiological factors behind early brain and behavioural processes, for example in attention to faces and physiological pupil constriction. I also provided infant EEG and eye-tracking support to the data collection team, contributed to setting up new studies in the lab, and coordinated the lab team biweekly meetings.

  • Guest Lecturer at UCL
    Nov 2017 - Nov 2021 · 4 yrs 1 mo

    Annual guest lecturer in the Introduction to Neuroscientific Methods Course on the Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology MRes (UCL)