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Dr. Marisa Freitas | Pharmaceutical Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at LAQV/REQUIMTE/Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Porto, Portugal.

Dr. Marisa Freitas is a distinguished researcher with a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Porto, specializing in the effects of metals on human neutrophils. She holds an MSc in Analytical Chemistry and a Licenciatura in Agricultural Sciences Engineering. Currently a Contracted Researcher at REQUIMTE LAQV, her research focuses on the therapeutic potential of natural compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids, particularly for inflammatory and metabolic disorders. She has received prestigious awards, including a post-Doc FCT fellowship and an FCT Individual Scientific Employment Stimulus grant. Marisa’s expertise spans experimental design, data analysis, and nanocarrier systems, with proficiency in various lab techniques. She has published over 100 papers, 36 abstracts, and 9 book chapters, and has presented at numerous conferences. Her international recognition includes roles in COST actions, the Global Burden of Disease Studies, and peer-reviewing for over 20 journals.

Professional Profiles:

Education 🎓

Marisa Freitas completed her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Porto in 2010, with a thesis on “The effect of metals on human neutrophils,” earning unanimous approval with distinction. She holds an MSc in Analytical Chemistry from the same institution, achieved in 2006 with a thesis on “Estudo da activação de neutrófilos humanos pelo nitrato de níquel,” awarded with the maximum grade. Additionally, she obtained a Licenciatura in Agricultural Sciences Engineering in 2005, majoring in Animal Nutrition, with a thesis titled “A cor como método de avaliação do valor nutritivo do Corn Gluten Feed,” receiving a grade of 16.

Professional Experience

Marisa Freitas is currently a Contracted Researcher at REQUIMTE LAQV, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, a position she has held since March 2019. From July 2016 to February 2019, she worked as a Contracted Researcher at the Institute of Agricultural and Agro-Alimentary Sciences and Technologies, University of Porto. Prior to this, she was a Postdoctoral Researcher from January 2012 to June 2016 at the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, University of Porto.

🔬 Research Interests

Marisa Freitas’s research interests focus on the use of natural compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, for their potential therapeutic effects. She investigates their role in preventing and mitigating inflammatory responses, particularly those induced by nanoparticles. Additionally, her work explores the application of these compounds in the treatment of metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus. Her research extends to the development of nanocarrier systems to enhance the bioefficacy of these natural compounds and their impact on key metabolic pathways in conditions like diabesity.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Marisa Freitas has been recognized with several prestigious awards and honors throughout her career. In 2012, she received a post-Doc FCT fellowship. In 2016, she was hired as an Assistant Researcher for the project “New Technologies for Three Health Challenges of Modern Societies: Diabetes, Drug Abuse, and Kidney Diseases” (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000024). In April 2019, she was appointed as an Assistant Researcher for the project “Use of Flavonoids in the Prophylaxis of Intestinal Pro-inflammatory Effects of Silver Nanoparticles” (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029248). In 2020, Marisa won a grant in the Call for Individual Scientific Employment Stimulus from FCT (2020.04126.CEECIND). Subsequently, in 2021, she became part of the permanent staff at REQUIMTE, a testament to her high scientific competence and contributions to the field.

🛠️ Research Skills

Marisa Freitas possesses a diverse set of research skills that have significantly contributed to her scientific achievements. She is highly skilled in experimental design and data analysis, with a strong focus on the pharmacological and toxicological evaluation of natural compounds. Her expertise extends to the development and optimization of nanocarrier systems for drug delivery, enhancing the bioefficacy of therapeutic agents. Marisa is proficient in various laboratory techniques, including cell culture, flow cytometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). She has extensive experience in supervising research projects and mentoring students, demonstrating her ability to lead and collaborate effectively in scientific research. Additionally, she has a proven track record in publishing high-impact scientific papers and presenting research findings at national and international conferences.

Publications

  1. Pyrazoles have a multifaceted anti-inflammatory effect targeting prostaglandin E2, cyclooxygenases and leukocytes’ oxidative burst
    • Authors: Rocha, S., Silva, J., Silva, V.L.M., Freitas, M., Fernandes, E.
    • Year: 2024
  2. Bioactive Compounds and Scavenging Capacity of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab Fruit) Pulp Extracts against ROS and RNS of Physiological Relevance
    • Authors: Vinha, A.F., Costa, A.S.G., Pimentel, F.B., Fernandes, E., Oliveira, M.B.P.P.
    • Year: 2024
  3. 2-Styrylchromones as inhibitors of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus
    • Authors: Santos, C.M.M., Proença, C., Freitas, M., Silva, A.M.S., Fernandes, E.
    • Year: 2024
  4. Rheumatoid arthritis molecular targets and their importance to flavonoid-based therapy
    • Authors: Rufino, A.T., Freitas, M., Proença, C., Fernandes, E., Ribeiro, D.
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 2
  5. Melanoxetin: A Hydroxylated Flavonoid Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Modulates Insulin Resistance and Glycation Pathways in an Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
    • Authors: Rocha, S., Amaro, A., Ferreira-Junior, M.D., Matafome, P., Fernandes, E.
    • Year: 2024
  6. The role of flavonoids in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer: A review on targeting signaling pathways and metastasis
    • Authors: Proença, C., Freitas, M., Ribeiro, D., Fernandes, E., Ferreira de Oliveira, J.M.P.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 1
  7. Biodistribution and intestinal inflammatory response following voluntary oral intake of silver nanoparticles by C57BL/6J mice
    • Authors: Sousa, A., Azevedo, R., Costa, V.M., Fernandes, E., Freitas, M.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 2
  8. Global, regional, and national burden of osteoarthritis, 1990–2020 and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
    • Authors: Steinmetz, J.D., Culbreth, G.T., Haile, L.M., Vos, T., Kopec, J.A.
    • Year: 2023
    • Citations: 108
  9. Applications of silver nanoparticles in daily life
    • Authors: Sousa, A., Carvalho, F., Fernandes, E., Freitas, M.
    • Year: 2023
  10. Novel strategies for managing diabetes mellitus using lipid-based delivery systems as vehicles of polyphenols
    • Authors: Rocha, S., Corvo, M.L., Fernandes, E., Freitas, M.
    • Year: 2023

 

 

Marisa Freitas | Pharmaceutical Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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