Scientific Committee
Elisa Kawamoto
Elisa Kawamoto is a professor at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo (ICB-USP), with extensive experience in Neuropharmacology and Neuroscience. She holds a degree in Pharmacy-Biochemistry from USP, and a master's and doctorate in Pharmacology from the same institution. She completed an internship at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), where she studied the Wnt protein and neuroprotection, in addition to postdoctoral studies at ICB-USP and NIA. As a Young Investigator funded by FAPESP, she is dedicated to research on hormesis, synaptic plasticity, aging and neurodegeneration, combining biochemical, behavioral and electrophysiological approaches to investigate fundamental mechanisms of brain function.
Christopher Scavone
Pharmacologist and neuroscientist, full professor in the Department of Pharmacology at ICB-USP and member of the Academy of Sciences of the State of São Paulo. With a postdoctoral degree from Harvard Medical School, his research focuses on aging and inflammatory processes involved in neuropsychiatric diseases. His studies address synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection, exploring the influence of environmental factors such as intermittent diet and physical exercise.
Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
Pharmacist-biochemist from UNESP, with a PhD in Sciences (Pharmacology) from USP, including research periods at the Complutense University of Madrid and Stanford University. She completed postdoctoral studies at USP and Stanford, where she deepened her studies in neuroinflammation and neuroendocrinology. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at ICB-USP, investigating the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that link stress, inflammation and neuropsychiatric disorders, contributing to the development of new therapeutic approaches.
Fernando Abdulkader
Pharmacist-biochemist from the University of São Paulo, with a PhD in Sciences (Human Physiology) from USP and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, at the University of Oxford. A PhD Professor at USP, he has experience in Cellular Biophysics, studying insulin and glucagon secretion by pancreatic islets, intracellular acid-base and calcium homeostasis by fluorescent probes, and the transport of protons and fatty acids in planar lipid bilayers. He also develops innovative strategies for teaching physiology.
Martin Metzger
Biologist from the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, with a master's and doctorate in Neurological Anatomy from the University of Bielefeld, Germany. He completed postdoctoral studies at the Federal Institute of Neurobiology in Magdeburg and was a Visiting Professor at the Heart Institute (HC/USP) before becoming a Professor at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at USP. His research in Functional Neuroanatomy investigates the action of dopamine in the brain, the neural connections and neurochemistry of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems, as well as neural circuits involved in reward and aversion mechanisms.
Rosana Camarini
Pharmacist-biochemist from the University of São Paulo, with a master's and doctorate in Psychobiology from the Federal University of São Paulo, as well as a postdoctoral fellowship at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, at UCSF. Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology at ICB-USP, she has a prominent role in international research societies on alcoholism, including the presidency of ISBRA (2020-2022) and LASBRA (2008-2013). Her research in the area of neuropsychopharmacology investigates the effects of alcohol and cocaine on neurodevelopment, as well as the impact of environmental factors, such as stress and environmental enrichment, on substance use disorders, contributing to new prevention and treatment strategies.
Vanessa Morais Freitas
She holds a degree in dentistry from the University of São Paulo, a master's degree in Oral Pathology and a PhD in Sciences (Cellular and Tissue Biology) from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at USP. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology at ICB-USP, and has worked as a visiting professor and researcher at UCSD and UCLA, where she furthered her studies on tumor biology. Her research focuses on the tumor microenvironment, investigating the role of extracellular matrix proteases and extracellular vesicles in regulating cell behavior, contributing to advances in the understanding of cancer progression and potential therapeutic approaches.
Lydia Mitiko Yshii
Immunologist, focusing on the role of T cells in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. His research explores the interaction between the immune system and the nervous system, contributing to the understanding of diseases such as multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory conditions of the brain.
Luiz Roberto Britto
Full professor at USP, with postdoctoral studies at the University of California, San Diego. A neuroscience specialist, his research focuses on cellular communication in the nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases. He has held several academic leadership positions and is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, contributing significantly to the advancement of knowledge in physiology and neurobiology.