Cláudia has a degree in Biochemistry from the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon. Always fascinated by the workings of the brain she decided to focus on neuroscience and completed a PhD in Neuroscience with specific interest in cerebral ischemia from the ITQB/IBET-UNL, New University of Lisbon, with Dr Paula Alves and Dr Helena Vieira.
Her research looked at the therapeutic potential of carbon monoxide. As a result of her findings she has published a number of peer-reviewed papers in international journals, participated in eight international meetings with experts in this field, including giving two presentations, and received the ‘Best ITQB PhD Thesis 2012’ Award for her thesis.
Cláudia’s work on cerebral ischaemia (Dr Helena Vieira, CEDOC-NMS) led to further publications and to her joining the clinical trial team researching acute ischaemic stroke at the stroke unit of the Hospital São Francisco Xavier, together with Prof. Miguel Viana-Baptista and Dr. João Pedro Marto.
With her passion for improving the therapeutic process of stroke, joining the Angels Initiative felt like a natural step for Cláudia when the project launched in Europe in 2016.
She says, “It is a very rewarding experience working every day with a highly motivated team, and crossing paths with healthcare professionals who epitomise scientific excellence but are nevertheless team players who never give up. From the start our team has been united around a single goal – the positive impact on stroke patients’ lives.”