Marisa Freitas | Pharmaceutical Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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

 

 

DEROSA LISA | Immunology and Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. DEROSA LISA | Immunology and Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

MD, PhD at Gustave Roussy, France.

Associate Professor Dr. Lisa Derosa is a leading medical oncologist and researcher at Gustave Roussy Cancer Center (GRCC) in France, specializing in tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy. With an MD from Pisa University and a PhD in Immunology from Paris-Sud University, she has significantly contributed to understanding the immunosuppressive role of antibiotics and the impact of gut microbiota on antitumor immunity. Since 2016, Dr. Derosa has pioneered research in these areas, earning numerous prestigious awards including the Conquer Cancer Foundation ASCO Merit Award and recognitions from ESMO and European Urology. She directs the ClinicoBiome Program at GRCC and co-directs the RHU Clinical Program Grant “Immunolife” and the EU Program Grant “Oncobiome.” Her research skills include clinical trial design, metagenomic analysis, immunological assays, and pharmacodynamic studies, making her a leader in microbiota-centered cancer therapies. Dr. Derosa’s collaborative approach and interdisciplinary projects have resulted in over 100 publications and significant advancements in cancer immunotherapy.

Professional Profiles:

Education

Associate Professor Dr. Lisa Derosa’s educational journey is marked by a series of prestigious degrees and certifications. In 2023, she became an Associate Professor of Immunology at Paris-Saclay University in France. Prior to that, in 2019, she earned her PhD in Immunology from Paris-Sud University and registered as a physician in France the same year. She also obtained a University Diploma in Animal Experimentation Level 1 from Sorbonne University, Paris, in 2018. Her earlier academic achievements include a Diplôme Universitaire Européen de Recherche Translationnelle Et Clinique en Cancérologie (DUERTECC) from Paris-Sud University and a Diplôme d’Université Carcinologie Clíniques (DUC) from Université Paris XI, both in 2016. Dr. Derosa completed her M2 in Pharmacology, Clinical Trial in Oncology at Pisa University in Italy in 2015 and became Board Certified in Medical Oncology from the same university in 2014. She first qualified as a physician in Italy in 2009, following her MD from the School of Medicine at Pisa University in 2008.

Professional Experience

Associate Professor Dr. Lisa Derosa has a distinguished career in medical oncology and cancer immunology. Since 2022, she has been serving as the Co-Coordinator of the RHU IMMUNOLIFE (PIA2) multi-team program project in France and as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for everImmune. In the same year, she was appointed as an Associate Professor of Immunology at Paris-Saclay University and a Senior Research Associate in the Cancer Immunology Department at Gustave Roussy Cancer Center (GRCC). Dr. Derosa has also been the Clinical Director of the ClinicoBiome Program at GRCC since 2020 and has held the position of Medical Oncology Specialist at GRCC since 2020. From 2017 to 2021, she co-coordinated the PIA2 RHU TORINO LUMIERE project. She has also been a Co-Coordinator of the H2020 ONCOBIOME project since 2019. Prior to these roles, Dr. Derosa served as a clinical attending in the Genitourinary and Lung Department at GRCC from 2019 to 2020 and completed a clinical fellowship in the Genitourinary Medical Oncology Department at GRCC from 2016 to 2019. Before joining GRCC, she was a clinical attending in the Oncology Department at Hospital S. Chiara-Pisa from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, she gained valuable experience as a visiting student at GRCC in 2013 and at the Oncology Department at Ospedali Riuniti di Livorno from 2006 to 2008.

Award and Honors

Associate Professor Dr. Lisa Derosa has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout her career, reflecting her significant contributions to oncology and immunology. In 2023, she was honored with the Conquer Cancer Foundation ASCO Merit Award. The previous year, she received an accolade from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) at their Asia Annual Meeting. In 2021, she was awarded the Best Scientific Paper published on Fundamental Research by European Urology and also received the ASCO Merit Award in Lung Cancer, supported by Frances A. Shepherd. Her exceptional work earned her the EATI Award in 2020. The year 2018 was particularly notable, as she received the Best Paper Award from ESMO YOC, the ESMO Annual Meeting Award, the Early Detection of Cancer Conference Award from ARC, and the Conquer Cancer Foundation ASCO Merit Award. In 2017, she was recognized with multiple Conquer Cancer Foundation ASCO Merit Awards, including the Genitourinary Cancer Merit Award. In 2016, she was the recipient of the 5th Pieter de Mulder Memorial Prize and the ESMO Translational Research Fellowship Award. Her early career was distinguished by the AIOM Award for young researchers in Oncology in 2015, the ESMO Annual Meeting Award in 2014, and the ITT Stage in Oncology Award from the Istituto Toscano Tumori in 2013.

Research Interest

Associate Professor Dr. Lisa Derosa’s research interests lie at the intersection of tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy, with a particular focus on the immunosuppressive role of antibiotics in cancer treatment and the impact of gut microbiota on antitumor immunity. Since 2016, she has been pioneering research in these areas, exploring how the composition of gut microbiota can regulate the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Her innovative work has led to significant insights into the microbiota’s role in cancer treatment, making her a leading figure in the development of microbiota-centered interventions. Dr. Derosa currently directs the Microbiota-Centered Intervention Program (ClinicoBiome) at Gustave Roussy Cancer Center and co-directs the RHU Clinical Program Grant “Immunolife” as well as the EU Program Grant “Oncobiome.” Her research continues to bridge clinical oncology with translational research, aiming to improve patient outcomes through a deeper understanding of the immune system’s interactions with cancer therapies.

Research Skills

Associate Professor Dr. Lisa Derosa possesses a comprehensive skill set in the field of cancer immunology and immunotherapy, characterized by her expertise in clinical and translational research. She has extensive experience in designing and conducting clinical trials, particularly those investigating the interactions between gut microbiota and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Dr. Derosa is skilled in metagenomic analysis, allowing her to identify microbiome-based biomarkers that predict patient response to immunotherapy. Her proficiency in immunological assays and molecular biology techniques has been instrumental in her research on the immunosuppressive effects of antibiotics and the regulatory role of gut microbiota in antitumor immunity. Additionally, she has a strong background in pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies, which she has applied in various phase II clinical trials. Dr. Derosa’s ability to integrate clinical data with cutting-edge laboratory research has made her a leader in the development of microbiota-centered cancer therapies. Her collaborative projects often involve multidisciplinary teams, highlighting her skills in project management and scientific communication.