Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
As a Medical Entomologist, I am interested in exploring topics related to the physiology and evolutionary biology of insects, particularly when these themes impact animal and human health. I have extensive knowledge of vector-borne diseases and research experience with various species of mosquito, such as Culex pipiens s.l., Anopheles gambiae s.l., Aedes aegypti, as well as phlebotomines (e.g. Phlebotomus argentipes and Lutzomyia longipalpais), the triatomine Rhodnius prolixus and the Drosophila melanogaster as non-target organism. I completed my PhD in the ecology and genetics of the mosquito Culex pipiens at the Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT, Portugal) in 2013. Since then, I have broadened my scientific experience to include molecular studies of insect digestion and insecticide resistance, as well as translational research aimed at developing new applications and tools for vector control, surveillance, and education in institutions in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Portugal. I am currently working in Marta Andrés' laboratory at the Animal Health Research Centre (CISA-INIA) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), focusing on the physiology and behaviour associated with mosquito hearing. I am also interested in public engagement activities and in bridging the gap between art and science.
Animal Health Research Centre, National Center National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, Spanish National Research Council (CISA-INIA-CSIC), 28130 Valdeolmos, Spain
A total of two manuscripts edited
Duties within project: -Development of a mosquito larvicide based on yeast-encapsulated essential oils (international consortium managed by Ivy Hurtwitz, UNM, USA and initially funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation - grant number 200-2017-93140). -I was the medical entomology & Scientist responsible for the experiment to evaluate larvicide efficiency of yeast-encapsulated essential oils in Brazil (IOC/Fiocruz) that include experiements under laboratory to test inseticide susceptibility (multiple lineages of Aedes aegypti, and Aedes albopictus), semi-field to verify product stability/activity across time (Aedes aegypti Rockefeller) and field trials to evaluate larvicide activity and breeding site recovery with mosquito ID (multiple mosquito species). Moreover, we also carry bioecology assays to understand other impacts of the product (e.g. impact on mosquito oviposition). -As project manager, I was part of the team responsible to establish the communication between Fiocruz (BR) and UNM (US), manage the budget required for higher technical staff and comsumables and equipment in Brazil, submit regular reports about the scientific progress of the project. -I was responsable to supervise and support all technical staff and students involved in the project, which require working with students from different regions of Brazil (Minas Gerais, Pará). Duties outside the main project -I also participate as Teacher/coordinator/co-supervisor in the Professional Master’s in Vector Control and Surveillance that aim to reinforce the knowledge about vector-borne diseases of persons working on vector control in Brazil. -I provide support on other activities of my laboratory (LABFISI): Innovation liaison, supervision of students with different academic background, courses coordination, funding, science communication activities and science-art activities.
A total of 62 manuscripts edited
I participate in two different projects: 1)The project aim to The study of molecular tools for insecticide resistance diagnosis in phlebotomine sandflies for sustainable leishmaniasis control and elimination programmes, and it was funded by by LSTM internal ISSF Challenge Grant Application. -Optimization of molecular tools to genotype Kdr-1014 (e.g. PCR, SANGER sequencing, TaqMan SNPs identification) in LSTM (UK) facilities. -In India, I carried insectary experiments and prepare samples for molecular biology with F1 and colony sand flies: i) WHO assays with multiples insecticides (DDT and pyrethroids), ii) RNA extraction of sand flies pools, iii) preparation of RNA samples for shipment/transportation - Preparation of samples for RNA-sequencing by llumina HiSeq4000 (Paired-end, 2x150 bp sequencing, generating data from >280 M clusters per lane): verification of quality and quantification in laboratory. -data analysis from genetic (Kdr-1014) and transcriptome data. -Moreover, I also support a Master student working with Environmental DNA. 2)The project aim to ‘Dissecting the role of insecticide resistance in the spread of vector-borne disease’ and it was funded by Seed Award in Science, Wellcome Trust, UK (Grant reference number: 202137/Z/16/Z). -Select new sublineages of A. aegypti CAYMAN based on insecticide resistance profile by molecular screening to select kdr mutations in live mosquitoes. This task was complemented by bioecology experiments in insectary. -Select new sublineages of A. aegypti RECIFE based on insecticide resistance profile by WHO assays with papers treated with insecticides with different concentrations. This task was complemented by bioecology experiments in insectary. -Preparation of samples for RNA-sequencing from all lineages selected, heterozygous individuals from crossing and reference lineages. -Data analysis of de novo Transcriptomic data from all groups sequenced. -Support students and tecnical staff aiming to continue the project.