Curriculum Vitae
Mariana Luísa Cruz e Almeida
Identification
Personal identification
- Full name
- Mariana Luísa Cruz e Almeida
- Date of birth
- 1990/03/21
- Gender
- Female
Citation names
- Almeida, Mariana Cruz
- Almeida, MC
Author identifiers
- Ciência ID
- 3611-A689-FCBB
- ORCID iD
- 0000-0001-8902-1892
- Google Scholar ID
- https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=LgXour8AAAAJ&hl=pt-PT
- Researcher Id
- J-1471-2019
- Scopus Author Id
- 57193715964
Email addresses
- mcruzalmeida90@gmail.com (Professional)
- mcalmeida@uc.pt (Professional)
Addresses
- CNC-UC UCBiotech - Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, Núcleo 04, Lote 8, 3060-197, Cantanhede, Coimbra, Portugal (Professional)
Knowledge fields
- Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Microbiology
Languages
| Language | Speaking | Reading | Writing | Listening | Peer-review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portuguese (Mother tongue) | |||||
| English | Proficiency (C2) | Proficiency (C2) | Proficiency (C2) | Proficiency (C2) | |
| Spanish; Castilian | Beginner (A1) | Beginner (A1) | Beginner (A1) | Intermediate (B1) |
Education
| Degree | Classification | |
|---|---|---|
|
2014/04/01 - 2017/06/25
Concluded
|
PhD in Microbiology (Doctor of Philosophy)
University of Aberdeen College of Life Sciences and Medicine, United Kingdom
"The role and regulation of Pxl1 in the hyphal steering of Candida albicans" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
|
Passed with Minor Corrections |
|
2013/07/19
Concluded
|
MSc in Biochemistry (Master)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
"Characterization of the innate immune response to Alternaria infectoria" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
|
18/20 |
|
2008/09 - 2011/07/11
Concluded
|
BSc in Biochemistry (Bachelor)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
"Expression of variants of Vpr protein of HIV1. Mitochondrial changes and disease progression" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
|
14/20 |
Affiliation
Science
| Category Host institution |
Employer | |
|---|---|---|
| 2020/03/01 - 2021/02/28 | Postdoc (Research) | CNC.IBILI, Portugal |
| Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal | ||
| 2017/09/01 - 2020/02/29 | Postdoc (Research) | Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Engenharia Mecânica Materiais e Processos, Portugal |
| Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Engenharia Mecânica Materiais e Processos, Portugal | ||
| 2014/04/01 - 2017/07/01 | Research Assistant (Research) | University of Aberdeen College of Life Sciences and Medicine, United Kingdom |
| 2013/10/01 - 2014/03/31 | Researcher (Research) | CNC.IBILI, Portugal |
Others
| Category Host institution |
Employer | |
|---|---|---|
| 2018/10/16 - 2018/10/31 | Short stay at Prof Harald Weigand's lab at Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences in Giessen, Germany | Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen - University of Applied Sciences, Germany |
| Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen - University of Applied Sciences, Germany |
Projects
Contract
| Designation | Funders | |
|---|---|---|
| 2020/03/01 - 2021/02/28 | MEDPERSYST - Synaptic networks and Personalized Medicine Approaches to Understand Neurobehavioural Diseases Across the Lifespan
POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016428 (SAICTPAC/0010/2015)
Post-doc Fellow
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
CNC.IBILI, Portugal |
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
|
| 2017/09/01 - 2020/02/29 | ReNATURE - Valorization of Natural Endogenous Resources in the Central Region
CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000007
Post-doc Fellow
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Engenharia Mecânica Materiais e Processos, Portugal
|
Centro2020
Ongoing
|
| 2014/04/01 - 2017/06/30 | EU Marie Curie ITN - Sensing and integration of signals governing cell polarity and tropism in fungi
PhD Student Fellow
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
|
European Commission
Concluded
|
| 2013/10/01 - 2014/03/31 | Ambiguity and virulence in a human pathogen
Research Fellow
CNC.IBILI, Portugal
|
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
|
Other
| Designation | Funders | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017/09 - 2018/06 | Safesurf - Light activated permanent antimicrobial surfaces
PTDC/CTMPOL/6138/2014
Post-doc
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Engenharia Mecânica Materiais e Processos, Portugal
|
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
|
| 2012/09 - 2013/07 | Alternaria infectoria FKS, CHS and melanin synthesis genes: the combination to oportunism
PTDC/SAU-ESA/108636/2008
Master Student Fellow
CNC.IBILI, Portugal
|
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
|
Outputs
Publications
| Book chapter |
|
| Conference abstract |
|
| Conference poster |
|
| Journal article |
|
| Preprint |
|
| Thesis / Dissertation |
|
Activities
Oral presentation
| Presentation title | Event name Host (Event location) |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2017/03/18 | Regulation of hyphal guidance by Pxl1 and Cst20 in Candida albicans | 29th Asilomar Fungal Genetics Conference
Genetics Society of America (Pacific Grove, United States)
|
| 2017/01/27 | Regulation of hyphal guidance by Pxl1 and Cst20 in Candida albicans | Medical Mycology Centre - Official Launch
University of Aberdeen (Aberdeen, United Kingdom)
|
| 2016/09/15 | Pxl1 and Cst20 influence the directional growth of Candida albicans hyphae | Fungibrain Network Meeting 4
University of Aberdeen (Aberdeen, United Kingdom)
|
| 2016/01/14 | The conserved protein, Paxillin, is involved in the directional growth of Candida albicans hyphae | Aberdeen Fungal Group Annual Retreat
Aberdeen Fungal Group (Angus, United Kingdom)
|
| 2015/09/07 | The conserved protein, Paxillin, is involved in the directional growth of Candida albicans hyphae | SGM-BMS International Focused Meeting - The Invasive Fungus
Society for General Microbiology and British Mycological Society (Manchester, United Kingdom)
|
| 2015/05/15 | The molecular regulation of directional growth in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans | Fungibrain Network Meeting 3
CNRS, Nice (Nice, France)
|
| 2015/03/09 | The molecular regulation of directional growth in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans | 51st BSMM Annual Scientific Meeting
British Society for Medical Mycology (Aberdeen, United Kingdom)
|
| 2015/01/13 | The molecular regulation of directional growth in the pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans | Aberdeen Fungal Group Annual Retreat
Aberdeen Fungal Group (Angus, United Kingdom)
|
| 2014/09/19 | The role of calcium-signalling in directional growth and tissue penetration by Candida albicans hyphae | Fungibrain Network Meeting 2
CSIC, Salamanca (Salamanca, Spain)
|
| 2013/12/18 | Characterization of the macrophage response to Alternaria infectoria conidia infection | XI CNC Annual Meeting
CNC.IBILI (Cantanhede, Portugal)
|
Supervision
| Thesis Title Role |
Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2020/01/01 - 2020/02/01 | "Biorecovery of metals from Panasqueira mine tailings using columns".
The main objective of this project was to recover economically relevant metals from mine tailings with Panasqueira origin
(Tungsten mine located in Covilhã, Portugal) using a column-based approach.
Co-supervisor of Diogo Vicente
|
Laboratory Rotation (6 ECTS) (Master)
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
|
| 2019/02 - 2019/06 | "Phosphate removal from residual waste waters."
The project focused on the following aims: 1) evaluate whether the heat treatment (70ºC) changes the concentration of soluble
phosphate in wastewater samples in upscale; 2) evaluate the intracellular accumulation of phosphate by bacteria in wastewater
samples in upscale; and 3) cloning of ppk1 gene from specific bacteria to improve polyphosphate accumulation in E. coli.
Co-supervisor of Diogo Vicente
|
Project (12 ECTS) (Degree)
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
|
| 2019/01/02 - 2019/02/01 | "Novel biostrategies for phosphate removal from residual waste waters". The project focused on the following aims: 1) evaluate
whether the heat treatment (70ºC) changes the concentration of soluble phosphate in wastewater samples; 2) evaluate the intracellular
accumulation of phosphate by bacteria in wastewater samples; and 3) determine whether bacteria that accumulate polyphosphate
from wastewater have the ppk gene.
Co-supervisor of Daniel Silvério
|
Laboratory Rotation (6 ECTS) (Master)
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
|
| 2018/07/16 - 2018/09/14 | "Screening of bacterial strains which produce phosphate mobilising enzymes."
Adriana was an undergraduate (BSc in Biology) at the University of Coimbra. Her summer project (160 hours) focused on determining
the phosphate mobilization ability of several bacterial strains. She worked with classic techniques of microbiology, namely
preparation of culture media, bacterial culture and methodologies for determination of phosphate.
Co-supervisor of Adriana Mata
|
Summer Internship (Other)
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
|
| 2018/07/09 - 2018/09/07 | "Biorecovery of metals from mining waste under column conditions and in suspension."
Luiz was a Biochemistry undergrad student. His summer project (160 hours) focused on the biorecovery of metals from mining
waste under column conditions and in suspension. Luiz used classical techniques of microbiology, such as the preparation of
culture media, bacterial culture and the preparation of experiments to bioleach waste in suspension.
Co-supervisor of Luiz Piochi
|
Summer Internship (Other) |
| 2016/01/04 - 2016/04/01 | "The role of putative focal adhesion-like complexes in Candida albicans". Milda's honours project focused on investigating
putative focal adhesion-like complexes in Candida albicans. Pxl1 and Cst20 deletion mutant phenotypes, secretion profiles
and actin arrangement were characterised. In the United Kingdom, the Honours project is a final lab rotation project (300
hours) in the 4th year of the BSc degree.
Co-supervisor of Milda Atkocaityte
|
Honour's Project (BSc degree) (Degree)
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
|
| 2015/05/25 - 2015/08/15 | "Evaluation of calcium signalling pathways in the directional growth responses of Candida albicans".
Vladislav was summer BMS-funded undergrad student (320 hours). His project main aim was to create a double mutant by deleting
the gene responsible for the synthesis of Rdi1 (a GDI protein which removes the cell polarity protein, Cdc42, from the plasma
membrane and recycles it back to the polarity site).
Co-supervisor of Vladislav Nikolov
|
Summer internship (Scientific initiation)
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
|
| 2015/01/05 - 2015/04/01 | "The role of SH3-domain proteins in galvanotroism of the fungal pathogen, Candida albicans: a mutant library screen".
Radina's Honour's Project (300 hours) aimed to understand whether SH3-domain protein play a role in responses to electric
field (cell polarization). In the United Kingdom, the Honours project is a final lab rotation project in the 4th year of the
BSc degree.
Co-supervisor of Radina Liharska
|
Honour's Project (BSc degree) (Degree)
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
|
Event organisation
| Event name Type of event (Role) |
Institution / Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| 2018/12/01 - 2019/12/07 | Organization of the Microbiotec19 (International Congress of Microbiology and Biotechnology 2019) in University of Coimbra.
This international congress had approximately 500 participants. (2019/12/05 - 2019/12/07)
Congress (Member of the Organising Committee)
|
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal Sociedade Portuguesa de Microbiologia, Portugal |
| 2018/01 - 2018/05 | Workshop “Environmentally sustainable processes in critical metals recovery: bio (micro) technologies to support a circular
economy of raw materials” within the BIOCriticalMetals Project (3-4th May 2018, University of Coimbra, Portugal) with approximately
30 participants. (2018/05/03 - 2018/05/04)
Workshop (Co-organisor)
|
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Engenharia Mecânica Materiais e Processos, Portugal |
| 2015/01 - 2017/01 | Aberdeen Fungal Group weekly lab meetings (more than 80 researchers). (2015 - 2017)
Meeting (Co-organisor)
|
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| 2015/05 - 2016/09 | Workshop “Medical Mycology” Hands-on infection models: galleria mellonella and mouse, EU ITN FUNGIBRAIN at the University
of Aberdeen for (Aberdeen, UK, 14-15th September 2016), 15 participants for each workshop). Coordinated accommodation, travelling
arrangements and invoicing for participants. (2016/09/14 - 2016/09/15)
Workshop (Co-organisor)
|
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| 2015/05 - 2016/09 | Workshop “Systems Biology” (Aberdeen, UK, 12-13th September 2016), EU ITN FUNGIBRAIN at the University of Aberdeen (15 participants
for each workshop). Coordinated accommodation, travelling arrangements and invoicing for participants. (2016/09/12 - 2016/09/13)
Workshop (Co-organisor)
|
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| 2015/05 - 2016/09 | Workshop "Grant Writing Skills” (Aberdeen, UK, 15th September 2016), EU ITN FUNGIBRAIN at the University of Aberdeen (15 participants
for each workshop). Coordinated accommodation, travelling arrangements and invoicing for participants. (2016/09/15 - 2016/09/15)
Workshop (Co-organisor)
|
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
| 2015/05 - 2016/09 | 4th Network Meeting for the EU ITN FUNGIBRAIN at the University of Aberdeen for all ESRs, University and Industry Partners
(PIs) and Project Manager (total of 28 participants). Coordinated accommodation, travelling arrangements and invoicing for
participants. (2016/09/16 - 2016/09/16)
Meeting (Co-organisor)
|
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
Event participation
| Activity description Type of event |
Event name Institution / Organization |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2019/09/14 - 2019/09/17 | International Microorganism Day - Activities within the 2nd Formative Meeting for Ciência Vida
Other
|
"Microbes are everywhere!"
Exploratório de Coimbra, Portugal
Sociedade Portuguesa de Microbiologia, Portugal Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal |
| 2018/09/17 - 2018/09/17 | International Microorganism Day - Public Science Communication
Exhibition
|
International Microorganism Day
Sociedade Portuguesa de Microbiologia, Portugal
Ordem dos Biólogos, Portugal Ciência Viva National Agency, Portugal United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, France Sociedade Portuguesa de Ecologia, Portugal |
| 2018/02 - 2018/04 | “Green Lantern” Science Dissemination Project with a student class (7th graders at Colégio de São Teotónio, Coimbra) within
the Ilídio Pinho Foundation 15th edition programme “Science in School”
Other
|
“Green Lantern” Public Engagement
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Engenharia Mecânica Materiais e Processos, Portugal
|
| 2017/12/05 - 2017/12/05 | International Soil Day - Public Engagement Event
Other
|
International Soil Day
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
|
| 2017/09/17 - 2017/09/17 | International Microorganism Day - Public Science Communication
Exhibition
|
International Microorganism Day
Sociedade Portuguesa de Microbiologia, Portugal
Ordem dos Biólogos, Portugal Ciência Viva National Agency, Portugal United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, France |
| 2016/10/19 - 2016/10/23 | Summer School “Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry” (Goettingen and Jena, Germany 19-23th October 2016)
Workshop
|
Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany
|
| 2016/09/15 - 2016/09/15 | Workshop “Grant Writing Skills” (Aberdeen, UK, 15th September 2016)
Workshop
|
Grant Writing Skills
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
|
| 2016/09/14 - 2016/09/15 | Workshop “Medical Mycology” Hands-on infection models: galleria mellonella and mouse (Aberdeen, UK, 14-15th September 2016)
Workshop
|
Medical Mycology
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
|
| 2016/09/12 - 2016/09/13 | Workshop “Systems Biology” (Aberdeen, UK, 12-13th September 2016)
Workshop
|
Systems Biology
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
|
| 2016/07/05 - 2016/07/08 | Explainer at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition “Killer Fungus” in London - Public Science Engagement
Exhibition
|
Royal Society Summer Exhibition “Killer Fungus”
Aberdeen Fungal Group, United Kingdom
|
| 2016/05/04 - 2016/05/05 | Workshop “Anti-Fungal Drug Discovery and Company Start-Up” (Manchester, UK, 4-5th May 2016)
Workshop
|
Anti-Fungal Drug Discovery and Company Start-Up
F2G Ltd, United Kingdom
|
| 2016/04/29 - 2016/05/03 | Workshop “Live-Cell Imaging and Calcium Signalling” (Manchester, UK, 29th April 2016 to May 3rd 2016)
Workshop
|
Live-Cell Imaging and Calcium Signalling
The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, United Kingdom
|
| 2016/04/29 - 2016/04/29 | Workshop “CV Clinic: Showcasing your achievements so you secure the career you want.” (Manchester, UK, 29th April 2016)
Workshop
|
CV Clinic: Showcasing your achievements so you secure the career you want
The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, United Kingdom
|
| 2016/04/25 - 2016/04/29 | Workshop “Scientific Writing and Presentation Skills Part I and II” (Manchester, UK, 25-29th April 2016)
Workshop
|
Scientific Writing and Presentation Skills Part I and II
The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, United Kingdom
|
| 2016/01/12 - 2016/01/14 | Aberdeen Fungal Group Annual Scientific Retreat
Meeting
|
Annual Scientific Retreat
Aberdeen Fungal Group, United Kingdom
|
| 2015/06/15 - 2015/06/15 | Demonstrator for microbiology sample preparation and light microscopy to secondary-school pupils - Public Engagement
Other
|
Public Engagement
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
|
| 2015/05/11 - 2015/05/14 | Workshop “Scientific Writing I” (CNRS, Nice, France 11th-14th May 2015)
Workshop
|
Scientific Writing I
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France
|
| 2015/05/08 - 2015/05/10 | Workshop “Phospholipid Signalling and Imaging” (CNRS, Nice, France 8th-10th May 2015)
Workshop
|
Phospholipid Signalling and Imaging
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France
|
| 2015/05/07 - 2015/05/07 | Workshop “Industrial Agricultural and Fungicide Research” (Bayer Crop Science, Lyon, France, 7th May 2015)
Workshop
|
Industrial Agricultural and Fungicide Research
Bayer CropScience Lyon La Dargoire Centre de Recherche, France
|
| 2015/05/05 - 2015/05/06 | Workshop “Microfabrication for Microbiology” (Institut Jaques Monrod, Paris, France, 5-6th May 2015)
Workshop
|
Microfabrication for Microbiology
Institut Jaques Monrod, France
|
| 2015/01/13 - 2015/01/15 | Aberdeen Fungal Group Annual Scientific Retreat
Meeting
|
Annual Scientific Retreat
Aberdeen Fungal Group, United Kingdom
|
| 2015 - 2015 | Demonstrator for DNA extraction from children’s cheek cells at the Gilcomstoun Primary School (Aberdeen, UK) - Public Science
Communication
Other
|
Public Engagement with children
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
|
| 2014/10/13 - 2014/10/15 | Microscopy Course (13-15th October 2014, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK)
Workshop
|
Microscopy Course
University of Aberdeen Institute of Medical Sciences, United Kingdom
|
| 2014/09/13 - 2014/09/17 | 13th International Meeting of the European Calcium Society, Centre de Congrès, Aix-en-Provence (France) (13-17th September,
2015)
Conference
|
13th International Meeting of the European Calcium Society
European Calcium Society, Belgium
|
| 2014/06/10 - 2014/06/14 | Workshop "Fungal Genetics and Biology” (Carlsberg Laboratory, Copenhagen, Denmark, 10-14th June 2014)
Workshop
|
Fungal Genetics and Biology
Carlsberg Laboratorium, Denmark
|
| 2012/11/26 - 2012/11/30 | Postgraduate course "Medical Microbiology" of the Doctoral Program in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, 2012-2013 Edition
Other
|
Postgraduate course "Medical Microbiology"
CNC.IBILI, Portugal
|
| 2011/08/01 - 2011/08/12 | Summer Course "Infection meets Immunity" at University of Utrecht, Netherlands (2011)
Other
|
Summer Course "Infection meets Immunity"
Hogeschool Utrecht, Netherlands
|
Association member
| Society Organization name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017/12 - 2018/12 | American Society for Microbiology | ASM Young Ambassador for Portugal 2018 |
Course / Discipline taught
| Academic session | Degree Subject (Type) | Institution / Organization | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018/02/06 - 2018/02/07 | Molecular Microbiology Practical Class - "Molecular Biology" (MSc Biochemistry) 2018 | Microbiologia Molecular (Mestrado) | Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal |
| 2017/09/25 - 2017/09/26 | Microbiology Laboratories - Practical class "Isolation of Bacteria and Spreading techniques" BSc Biochemistry 2017 | Laboratórios de Microbiologia (Licenciatura) | Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal |
| 2015/01/20 - 2015/03/10 | Molecular Microbiology - Practical Classes Demonstrator | Molecular Microbiology (Bachelor) | University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom |
Mentoring / Tutoring
| Topic | Student name | |
|---|---|---|
| 2018/03/15 - 2018/05/05 | Biorecovery of metals from mining waste under fixed bed conditions. | Nicole Herner |
| 2017/12/01 - 2018/02/01 | Isolation and identification of microorganisms from mine tailings. | Alicja Wawrzen |
| 2015/03/01 - 2015/07/31 | Screen of mutant strains for directional growth and mating defects in the opportunistic yeast Candida albicans. | Alejandra González Cardoso |
Distinctions
Award
| 2018 | Award ASM "The Young Ambassador Project Fund" (YAPF) - 500 USD
American Society for Microbiology, United States
|
| 2018 | Award FEMS Travel Grant “International Microorganism Day" - 150 EUR
Federation Of European Microbiological Societies, United Kingdom
|
| 2015 | Best Poster Talk in the 51st BSMM Annual Scientific Meeting
British Society for Medical Mycology, United Kingdom
|
| 2015 | Best 1st year PhD Talk in the Postgraduate Winter Symposium College of Life Sciences & Medicine
University of Aberdeen College of Life Sciences and Medicine, United Kingdom
|
| 2015 | Award of Travel Funding - 300 GBP
University of Aberdeen Institute of Medical Sciences, United Kingdom
|