Speakers
Diogo Trigo
Diogo Trigo holds a PhD in Neurology from University College London (2014), where he characterised axonal ionic and mitochondrial homeostasis. Following the completion of his doctoral studies, he assumed a role as an associate researcher at King’s College London, delving into the homeostasis of mitochondria in spinal cord injury. In 2018, having spent 8 years abroad, returned to Portugal. Diogo Trigo currently studies mechanisms of neuronal homeostasis at iBiMED, UA, and his present research interests are in Alzheimer’s Disease and Spinal Cord Injury.
Joaquim Brites
Joaquim Brites has been dedicated to the Portuguese Neuromuscular Association (APN) for over 20 years, initially as a board member and eventually as its President since 2012. He concurrently holds the esteemed position of President of the General Assembly of the Portuguese Alliance of Associations of Rare Diseases since the same year. In this capacity, he fervently represents the interests of Portuguese neuromuscular patients on the European stage, notably within the Rare Diseases Platform ("Plateforme Maladies Rares") in France.
Miguel Pais Vieira
Miguel Pais Vieira is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Sciences at iBiMED - Institute of Biomedicine, University of Aveiro, Portugal. He obtained his Ph.D. in Human Biology under the guidance of Professor Vasco Galhardo at the University of Porto. Following this, he pursued his Postdoctoral training in Neurophysiology and Neuroengineering at Duke University, USA, in the laboratory of Professor Miguel Nicolelis. His current line of research is focused on brain-machine interfaces for sensorimotor integration and rehabilitation in in humans.
António Salgado
António Salgado, a biologist with a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Technology (Tissue Engineering and Hybrid Materials, 2005), currently serves as the Coordinating Investigator at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine – University of Minho. His research is centered around developing innovative CNS repair therapies for conditions like Spinal Cord Injury and Parkinson’s Disease. Additionally, he holds key positions, including President of the Portuguese Society for Stem Cells and Cell Therapies, and serves as an Associate Editor for prominent journals like Biomed Research International, Biochimie, BMC Neuroscience, and Stem Cells International.
Isaura Martins
Isaura Martins obtained an Integrated Master's degree in Biochemistry from the University of Coimbra in 2010, followed by a PhD in Neuroscience from The University of Manchester School of Biological Sciences in 2015 where she focused the effects of diet on Alzheimer´s onset and Blood Brain Barrier (BBB). In 2015 she returned to Portugal, where she changed from the field of Neurodegeneration into Neuroregeneration, with a Postdoctoral position at the iMM in Leonor Saúde´s Laboratory. There she established the contusion mouse model of spinal cord injury and has since explored different players that could improve repair, from senescent cells to vascular and perivascular components of the Blood Spinal Cord Barrier. Her research primarily focuses on how vascular and perivascular therapeutic strategies and she recently has been awarded with a Morton Cure Paralysis Grant to explore further this topic.
Luís Santos
Luís Santos holds a Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy from the School of Health Technology of Porto (2016). His final project during his studies focused on pediatrics and was titled "Immediate Effects of Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Trunk Postural Control Associated with Reach Movement (distant target) in Children with Neuromotor Alterations." Luís Santos completed internships in various reputable healthcare units, including pediatric neurology at the Porto Association for Cerebral Palsy, thoracic surgery at São João Hospital, oncological rehabilitation at IPO Porto, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation at UCC Leça da Palmeira, all with highly positive evaluations.
Elsa Frazão Mateus
Elsa Mateus earned her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Lisbon in 2015. She holds key roles in the medical and research domains, serving as a Patient Expert in Medicinal R&D at Liga Portuguesa Contra as Doenças Reumáticas. Additionally, she is a Patient Research Partner and Vice-President at the European League Against Rheumatism. Elsa Mateus is also a Researcher at Universidade Nova de Lisboa Comprehensive Health Research Centre and holds leadership positions at Associação EUPATI Portugal and COLABTRIALS - Collaborative Laboratory for Innovation in Clinical Trials. Her expertise lies in Social Sciences, particularly Anthropology.
