Joana Dias Apolónio Viegas (791E-9E39-2795)

Curriculum Vitae

Joana Dias Apolónio Viegas

Joana Apolónio has a PhD in Mechanisms of Disease and Regenerative Medicine completed in 2019. During her PhD project she worked under the supervision of Dr. Pedro Castelo-Branco (UAlg) and Dr. Uri Tabori (Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada), and she was focused on the study of TERT promoter methylation status in breast cancer, namely, its impact on TERT transcriptional regulation and its clinical implications, as a disease biomarker and therapeutic target. Since 2020, holds a position as Auxiliar Researcher at the Algarve Biomedical Center/ Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), where integrates the Epigenetics in Human Disease Group, coordinated by Dr. Pedro Castelo-Branco, and is the head of the Strategic Planning and Project Management Unit of ABC. Since 2022, she integrated the ABC CoLab team and holds a position as Invited Auxiliar Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, where teaches units like Epigenetics and Problem-Based-Learning (PBL-clinical within the Master's Degree in Medicine). Through her academic path in cancer research, became highly experienced in a wide repertoire of cellular and molecular biology techniques. Has also excellent communication and team working skills coupled with personal qualities including competence, responsibility, dynamism, and with a strong commitment to high ethical standards. In the last years has been focused on the study of epigenetic alterations in cancer, including breast, colorectal, prostate, bladder and gliobastoma, and also in ageing. She has been deeply committed to attracting funding. Joana has participated in 16 research projects (both national and international), 1 as Principal Investigator (PI), and 15 as team member. As a result of her scientific career, published 1 book chapter and 20 articles in international journals with peer-review , resulting in more than 950 citations, with an h-index of 13 (according to Scopus). Her work was also presented in national and international meetings, counting with 13 oral communications and 29 poster presentations. Additionally, she received a total of 8 distinctions awards and/or honors. In 2025, she was awarded with a grant from the Portuguese League Against Cancer-NRS to further investigate THOR methylation as a non-invasive biomarker in breast cancer. Is highly engaged in supervising students conducting laboratory works with a total of 17 students in the last years: 2 PhD student in Biomedical Sciences (ongoing), 1 MSc in Medicine, 3 MSC in Biomedical Sciences, 1 Biomedical Sciences monography and 10 Medicine monographs (3 ongoing). She was also a jury member and arguer of 1 academic MSc degree and 1 Bachelor's degree. Joana has also organized several meetings/events and is highly involved in several outreach and science communication activities. Additionally, Joana still collaborates with Dr. Uri Tabori (Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada) and has many collaborations with clinicians at the Algarve Local Health Unit, Faro. CAREER BREAKS/MATERNAL LEAVE (1): September 2020/February 2021 (reduced working hours until September 2021).

Read full resume ↓

Identification

Personal identification

Full name: Joana Dias Apolónio Viegas

Citation names

Apolónio, Joana

Author identifiers

Ciência ID: 791E-9E39-2795
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9727-1813

Email addresses

joanadias_a@hotmail.com (Professional)

Websites

https://abcri.pt/epigenetics-in-human-disease-lab/ (Professional)

Knowledge fields

Medical and Health Sciences - Basic Medicine
Medical and Health Sciences - Clinical Medicine - Oncology
Medical and Health Sciences - Clinical Medicine
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)	Proficiency (C2)
Spanish; Castilian	Intermediate (B1)	Upper intermediate (B2)	Intermediate (B1)	Advanced (C1)	Intermediate (B1)

Education

	Degree	Classification
2015/01/05 - 2019/10/29 Concluded	Mechanisms of Disease and Regenerative Medicine (Doutoramento) Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal "TERT Hypermethylated Oncologic Region (THOR) as a Biomarker for Breast Cancer." (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	Approved with High Distinction and Honor
2018/02/01 - 2018/03/31 Concluded	Observership in Breast Cancer Clinical Practice (Outros) Odette Cancer Centre, Canada Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada
2017/02/23 - 2017/02/23 Concluded	Workshop - Gene Delivery for Biomedical application. (Outros) Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal
2016/12/08 - 2016/12/10 Concluded	Animal Experimentation Course (Category B, 42 hours, accreditation from FELASA) (Outros) Sociedade Portuguesa de Ciências em Animais de Laboratório (SPCAL) , Portugal
2015/05/11 - 2015/05/14 Concluded	V Workshop on Cancer Research: Biological and molecular basis. (Outros) Universidade do Porto Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Portugal	18 (in a scale from 0 to 20)
2014/04/28 - 2014/05/28 Concluded	Pedagogical Aptitude Training course (CCP) (Outros) Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional, Portugal	Excellent
2011/10/05 - 2013/12/16 Concluded	Master in Biomedical Sciences (Mestrado) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Portugal "Acquisition of tolerance to essential oil components by pathogenic bacteria." (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	19 (in a scale from 0 to 20)
2007/09/24 - 2011/06/16 Concluded	Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences (Licenciatura) Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Portugal "Influence of obesity on lipid profile of patients with type II diabetes mellitus." (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	17 (in a scale from 0 to 20)

Affiliation

Science

	Category Host institution	Employer
2020/01/15 - Current	Science and Technology Management	Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal
	Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal (...)
2020/01/15 - Current	Auxiliary Researcher (Research)	Centro Académico de Investigação e Formação Biomédica do Algarve, Portugal
	Universidade do Algarve, Portugal (...)
2014/01/15 - 2014/04/15	Researcher (Research)	Universidade do Algarve Centro de Investigação em Biomedicina, Portugal

Teaching in Higher Education

	Category Host institution	Employer
2022/01/01 - Current	Invited Assistant Professor (University Teacher)	Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal

2021/03/01 - 2022/09/30	Invited Assistant (Polytechnic Teacher)	Universidade do Algarve Escola Superior de Saúde, Portugal

Other Careers

	Category Host institution	Employer
2012/10/10 - 2014/12/31	Técnico Principal (Técnico de Diagnóstico e Terapêutica - Técnico de Análises Clínicas e de Saúde Pública)	SYNLAB Portugal, Portugal
	SYNLAB Portugal, Portugal
2011/09/01 - 2012/06/30	Técnico Principal (Técnico de Diagnóstico e Terapêutica - Técnico de Análises Clínicas e de Saúde Pública)	Laboratório de Análises Clínicas A. Reis Valle, Portugal

Positions / Appointments

	Category Host institution	Employer
2025/12/16 - Current	President	Laboratório Colaborativo do Algarve Biomedical Center, Soluções Integradas para o Envelhecimento e Rejuvenescimento (ABC CoLAB), Portugal

Others

	Category Host institution	Employer
2015/01/05 - 2019/10/29	PhD student	Universidade do Algarve, Portugal

2012/09/01 - 2013/12/16	Master student	Universidade do Algarve Centro de Investigação em Biomedicina, Portugal

Projects

Grant

	Designation	Funders
2023/01/01 - Current	Strategic Plan of the Algarve Biomedical Center CAC/0007/2022 Researcher Centro Académico de Investigação e Formação Biomédica do Algarve, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Ongoing
2025/03/01 - 2027/02/28	hTERT promoter methylation as a biomarker for breast cancer detection in the blood. Bolsa de Investigação em Oncologia LPCC-NRS 2025 Principal investigator Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Portugal	Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro Ongoing
2023/06/14 - 2024/01/14	Equity in health for LGBTQIA+ people Grant Agreement no. 101058677 Researcher	European Commission
2022/04/01 - 2023/12/31	PtCRIN - Portuguese Clinical Research Infrastructure network - Development of the Advanced Clinical Research Center and clinical trial management in the Algarve ALG-01-0145-FEDER-072680 Researcher
2021/04/01 - 2023/12/31	PtCAC Portuguese Network of Clinical Academic Centers: Center of Research Excellence of the Academic Center for Biomedical Research and Training in the Algarve (CRE-ABC) ALG-01-0145-FEDER-072682 Researcher
2021/01/01 - 2023/12/31	ALFA Score - ALgarve Fit Ageing Score: uma nova ferramenta integrada para melhorar a qualidade de vida e o envelhecimento saudável ALG-01-0145-FEDER- 072586 Researcher	Concluded
2015 - 2020	Targeting the telomere maintenance pathway for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Canadian Cancer Society Impact Grants PhD Student Fellow Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Canada Hospital for Sick Children, Canada	Canadian Cancer Society Ongoing
2015 - 2020	Novel implications of THOR hypermethylation in telomere maintenance and gliomagenesis. Early Renewal-Canadian Institutes of Health Research PhD Student Fellow Hospital for Sick Children, Canada Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal	Canadian Institutes of Health Research Ongoing
2015/01/01 - 2019/10/29	Tert Hypermethylated Oncologic Region (THOR) as a biomarker for Breast Cancer. PD/BD/105899/2014 PhD Student Fellow Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal Universidade do Algarve Centro de Investigação em Biomedicina, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded
2015/01 - 2019/10	Tert Hypermethylated Oncologic Region (THOR) as a biomarker for Breast Cancer. PD/BD/105899/2014 PhD Student Fellow	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded
2018 - 2019	Xenografting of bovine ovarian tissue as a model for testing new drugs and examining angiogenesis, follicle premature depletion and dynamics. Grant CIISA Researcher Universidade do Algarve Centro de Investigação em Biomedicina, Portugal Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Portugal	Universidade de Lisboa Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal Concluded
2015/01/05 - 2017/01/14	Diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications of THOR - Tert Hypermethylated Oncologic Region in breast cancer. Maratona da Saúde PhD Student Fellow Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal	Maratona da Saúde Association Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded
2015 - 2017	Utilization of THOR hypermethylation for stratification and noninvasive detection of cancer. Innovation grant Canadian Cancer Research Society PhD Student Fellow Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal Hospital for Sick Children, Canada	Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute Concluded
2012/05/15 - 2013/12/16	Acquisition of tolerance to essential oil components by pathogenic bacteria. Pest-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013 Master Student Fellow Universidade do Algarve Centro de Investigação em Biomedicina, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded

Contract

	Designation	Funders
2026/02/23 - 2027/08/22	THOR-SIGNAL: THOR Methylation signatures in liquid biopsy for breast cancer detection 2024.17709.PEX 10.54499/2024.17709.PEX Universidade do Algarve, Portugal The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Ongoing
2025/01/02 - 2026/12/31	ABA: Algarve Brain Aging Imaging Study: Estudo imagiológico do envelhecimento cerebral na população do Algarve ALGARVE-FEDER-01343800 Researcher Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal	Ongoing
2024/01/01 - 2026/12/31	NUMAPLUS. Más Allá del Nuevo Modelo Asistencial: Regiones Cardio aseguradas. 0237_NUMAPLUS_5_E Researcher Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal	Ongoing
2023/02/01 - 2024/07/31	ExCITinG - Exploring CITED2 role in glioblastoma stem cell biology 2022.09209.PTDC 10.54499/2022.09209.PTDC Researcher	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded
2019/01/01 - 2020/03/31	Centre for Biomedical Research UID/BIM/04773/2019 Universidade do Algarve, Portugal Universidade do Algarve Centro de Investigação em Biomedicina, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Concluded

Other

	Designation	Funders
2020/04/02 - 2022/09/30	Centro de Testes à COVID-19 no Algarve: Sistema "Drive-Thru" e Rastreio em Lares de Idosos. Sistema "Drive-Thru" e Rastreio em Lares de Idosos. Researcher Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal	Ongoing

Outputs

Publications

Book chapter	Apolónio, Joana ; Fernandes, Mónica T; Leão, Ricardo Romão Nazário; Paredes, Joana. "Mecanismos moleculares do cancro". In Fisiopatologia - bases da medicina clínica. Portugal: LIDEL, 2025. Published
Conference poster	Pestana, Daniel; Cardoso, Candida; Ramos, Mónica; Rajado, Ana Teresa; Silva, Nádia; Apolónio, Joana; Nóbrega, Clévio David Rodrigues ; Justin O'Sullivan; Pedro Castelo-Branco. Corresponding author: Pestana, Daniel. "Ageing Well in Algarve: A Clinical, Molecular and Geospatial integrative analysis into Elderly Health and fitness". Paper presented in Encontro Ciência 2025, 2025. Cardoso, Candida; Pestana, Daniel; Apolónio, Joana ; Silva, Nádia; Nunes, Nuno Miguel; Tabori, Uri; Pedro Castelo-Branco. Corresponding author: Cardoso, Candida. "THOR Methylation signatures in liquid biopsies for early breast cancer detection". Paper presented in Encontro Ciência 2025, 2025. Apolónio, Joana ; Cardoso, Candida; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "THOR Methylation signatures in liquid biopsies for early breast cancer detection". Paper presented in EACR 2025 Congress: Innovative Cancer Science, 2025. Paiva-Correia, António; Apolónio, Joana ; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Henrik Hellquist. "Salivary gland tumours are epigenetically regulated by THOR methylation.". Paper presented in 36th European Congress of Pathology, 7 - 11 September 2024 \| Florence, Italy, 2024. Apolónio, Joana ; Cardoso, Candida; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "THOR: Tert Hypermethylated Oncologic Region- a novel breast cancer biomarker for liquid biopsy.". Paper presented in 6th ASPIC International Congress, April 29th and 30th, 2024, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal, 2024. Mónica Ramos; Daniela Santos; A.T. Rajado; Apolónio, Joana Dias; Nádia Margarida Silva; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "Associations between a DNA methylation-based telomere length estimator, the redox state, diet, and aging in the Algarve population.". Paper presented in X Workshop de Bioquímica Clínica (IX-CBW), University of Algarve, 2024, 2024. Fernandes, Mónica T.; Apolónio, Joana ; Esteves, Filipa; De Sousa-Coelho, Ana Luísa; Sofia M. Calado; Marreiros, Ana; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "Unveiling a novel epigenetic biomarker for personalized medicine in gliomas". Paper presented in Congresso Nacional dos Farmacêuticos, CNF24: Mais Inovação, Melhor Saúde, 2024. Fernandes, Mónica Teotónio; Apolónio, Joana Dias; De Sousa-Coelho, Ana Luísa; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "CITED4 methylation is a novel prognosis biomarker in gliomas". Paper presented in EACR-AstraZenecaCancer Epigenetics Virtual Event, Worldwide, 2023. Apolónio, Joana ; Gabriela Valadas; Fernandes, Mónica Teotónio. "THOR A targetable epigenetic biomarker in BC, finding new paths for its use". Paper presented in XX Jornadas de Senologia, October 13 and 14, 2023, Palácio de Congresso do Algarve, Albufeira, Portugal., 2023. Apolónio, Joana Dias; Nádia Margarida Silva; ALFA Score consortium. "ALFA Score - Algarve Fit Ageing Score Project, a multidisciplinary approach for ageing assessment". Paper presented in 19º EuGMS Congress, 20 – 22 September 2023, Helsinki, Finland., 2023. Rajado, Ana Teresa; Pestana, Daniel; Silva, Nádia; Apolónio, Joana ; Esteves, Filipa; Brito, David V.C.; Trindade, Marlene; et al. Corresponding author: Pedro Castelo-Branco. "Algarve Fit Ageing Score Project, A Multidisciplinary Approach To Assess Healthy Ageing Status". Paper presented in EMBO Workshop Systems Biology: Linking chromatin and Epigenetics to Disease and Development, 2023. Apolónio, Joana Dias; Fernandes, Mónica Teotónio; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Bragança, José. "CITED4 methylation status is a potential prognostic biomarker for glioma in elderly patients". Paper presented in International Conference Ageing Without Borders; December 6 and 7, 2022, Faro, Portugal., 2022. Apolónio, Joana Dias; Andrade, Raquel G. D.; Nádia Margarida Silva; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Ana Teresa Rajado; ALFA Score consortium. "ALFA Score - Algarve Fit Ageing Score Project, a multidisciplinary approach for ageing assessment". Paper presented in ABC Days, October 12 – 14, 2022, Sagres, Portugal., 2022. Fernandes, MT; Apolónio, Joana Dias; Castelo-Branco, Pedro; Bragança, J.. "CITED4 role in gliomas - revisiting previous studies and providing new clues". Paper presented in ABC Days, October 12 – 14, 2022, Sagres, Portugal., 2022. Apolónio, Joana Dias; ALFA Score consortium. "ALFA Score - Algarve Fit Ageing Score Project, a multidisciplinary approach for ageing assessment". Paper presented in International Conference Ageing Without Borders; December 6 and 7, 2022, Faro, Portugal., 2022. Rajado, Ana Teresa; Raquel P. Andrade; Apolónio, Joana ; Inês Maria Pombinho de Araújo; Brito, David V.C.; Sofia M. Calado; Esteves, Filipa; et al. "ALFA Score - Algarve Fit Ageing Score". Paper presented in ABC-Days, 2022. Apolónio, Joana Dias; Fernandes, Mónica Teotónio. "THOR is a targetable epigenetic biomarker with clinical implications in breast cancer". Paper presented in 5th Aspic International Congress, June 30th and July 1st, at the IPO-Porto Auditorium, 2022, Porto, Portugal., 2022. Fernandes, Mónica T; Apolónio, Joana Dias; Castelo-Branco, P.; Bragança, José. "CITED4 hypomethylation in the 3’UTR is associated with an adverse prognosis in glioblastoma". Paper presented in 5th Aspic International Congress, June 30th and July 1st, at the IPO-Porto Auditorium, 2022, Porto, Portugal., 2022. Apolónio, Joana ; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Vânia Palma Roberto; Gabriela Valadas; João Silva Dias; Uri Tabori. "THOR: A DNA methylation-based marker for breast cancer". Paper presented in XVIII Jornadas de Senologia, Portimão, Portugal., 2019. Pereira RM; Pimenta, J.; Castelo-Branco P; Apolónio, Joana Dias; Pires VMR; Nolasco S; Marques CC; et al. "Epigenetic behavior of prion-type genes in bovine granulosa cells (abstract p.69)". Paper presented in XI Congreso Ibérico sobre Recursos Genéticos Animales (SERGA-SPREGA), 2018. Jorge Pimenta; Apolónio, Joana ; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Pires V.M; Nolasco S. "Comportamento epigenético de genes do tipo priónico em células da granulosa de bovino.". Paper presented in XI Congreso Ibérico sobre Recursos Genéticos Animales. Murcia, Spain., 2018. Apolónio, Joana ; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Uri Tabori. "A DNA methylation-based marker for breast cancer management". Paper presented in Keystone Symposia Conference, Cancer Epigenetics: New Mechanisms, New Therapies. Breckenridge, Colorado, USA., 2018. Apolónio, Joana ; Bernardo Pereira de Almeida; Alexandra Binnie; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "Roadmap of DNA methylation in breast cancer identifies 15 novel potential biomarkers". Paper presented in 2nd CBMR/ProRegem Annual Meeting, Faro, Portugal., 2017. Vânia Palma Roberto; Apolónio, Joana ; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "Uncovering new epigenetic biomarkers in colorectal cancer.". Paper presented in 2nd CBMR/ProRegem Annual Meeting, Faro, Portugal., 2017. Leão, Ricardo; Lee, Donghyun; Apolónio, Joana ; Figueiredo, Arnaldo; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Uri Tabori. "Integrated molecular signatures of TERT promoter deregulation predict disease progression in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer". Paper presented in Telomeres & Telomerase Meeting, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA., 2017. Apolónio, Joana ; Vânia Palma Roberto; Uri Tabori; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "Uncovering the potential of a DNA methylation-based biomarker for breast cancer.". Paper presented in Genetics and Genome Biology Annual Retreat. Sickkids Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada., 2017. Sara Ramalhete; Apolónio, Joana ; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "Dna Methylation patterns in oncogenes and tumor suppressors in breast cancer.". Paper presented in 1st CBMR/ProRegem Annual Meeting, Faro, Portugal., 2016. Apolónio, Joana ; Célia Domingos; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "Uncovering the potential of THOR as a biomarker for breast cancer". Paper presented in 2nd ASPIC International Congress, IPO, Porto, Portugal., 2016. Célia Domingos; Luís Relvas; Apolónio, Joana ; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "THOR methylation as a new tool for the clinical management of colorectal cancer". Paper presented in 2nd ASPIC International Congress, IPO, Porto, Portugal., 2016.
Journal article	Nuno Marques; Apolónio, Joana ; Pedro Castelo-Branco. Corresponding author: Nuno Marques. "Impact of epigenetics on the development of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: A sistematic literature review.". Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine 10 1 (2026): 15-21. Open access • Published António Paiva-Correia; Joana Apolónio; Alfons Nadal; José Ricardo Brandão; Nádia Silva; Bianca Machado; Ivan Archilla; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Henrik Hellquist. "Methylation Status of the Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Promoter in Parotid Tumours and Adjacent Parotid Gland Tissue: A Pilot Study on the Implications for Recurrence and Development of Malignancy". Current Oncology (2025): https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32060312. 10.3390/curroncol32060312 Paiva-Correia, António; Hellquist, Henrik; Apolónio, Joana ; Castelo-Branco, Pedro. "Role of Ancillary Techniques in the Differential Diagnosis of Salivary Gland Carcinomas". APMIS 133 2 (2025): https://doi.org/10.1111/apm.70008. Published • 10.1111/apm.70008 Esteves, Filipa; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Apolónio, Joana. "Establishment of an induced pluripotent cell line (ABCRIi001-A) from an elderly female for ageing research.". Stem Cell Research Vol 81 (2024): Published Nádia Silva; Ana Teresa Rajado; Filipa Esteves; David Brito; Joana Apolónio; Vânia Palma Roberto; Alexandra Binnie; et al. "Measuring healthy ageing: current and future tools". Biogerontology (2023): https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-023-10041-2. 10.1007/s10522-023-10041-2 Nunes, Francisca Martins; Apolónio, Joana Dias; Mota-Pinto, Anabela; Leão, Ricardo. "Epigenetic alterations in urothelial bladder cancer associated with disease outcomes". International Journal of Urology (2023): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/iju.15335. Published • 10.1111/iju.15335 Brito, D. V. C.; Esteves, F.; Rajado, A. T.; Silva, N.; Andrade, R.; Apolónio, J.; Calado, S.; et al. "Assessing cognitive decline in the aging brain: lessons from rodent and human studies". npj Aging 9 1 (2023): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41514-023-00120-6. 10.1038/s41514-023-00120-6 Esteves, Filipa; Brito, David; Rajado, Ana Teresa; Silva, Nádia; Apolónio, Joana; Roberto, Vânia Palma; Araújo, Inês; et al. "Reprogramming iPSCs to study age-related diseases: Models, therapeutics, and clinical trials". Mechanisms of Ageing and Development 214 (2023): 111854. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2023.111854. Published • 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111854 Rajado, Ana Teresa; Silva, Nádia; Esteves, Filipa; Brito, David; Binnie, Alexandra; Araújo, Inês M.; Nóbrega, Clévio; et al. "How can we modulate aging through nutrition and physical exercise? An epigenetic approach". Aging (2023): https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204668. Published • 10.18632/aging.204668 Apolónio, Joana Dias; Dias, João S.; Fernandes, Mónica Teotónio; Komosa, Martin; Lipman, Tatiana; Zhang, Cindy H.; Leão, Ricardo; et al. "THOR is a targetable epigenetic biomarker with clinical implications in breast cancer". Clinical Epigenetics 14 1 (2022): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13148-022-01396-3. 10.1186/s13148-022-01396-3 Pimenta, Jorge M.B.G.A.; Pires, Virgínia M.R.; Nolasco, Sofia; Castelo-Branco, Pedro; Marques, Carla C.; Apolónio, Joana; Azevedo, Rita; et al. "Post-transcriptional silencing of Bos taurus prion family genes and its impact on granulosa cell steroidogenesis". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 598 (2022): 95-99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.02.012. 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.02.012 Donghyun D. Lee; Martin Komosa; Sumedha Sudhaman; Ricardo Leão; Cindy H. Zhang; Joana D. Apolonio; Thomas Hermanns; et al. "Dual role of allele-specific DNA hypermethylation within the TERT promoter in cancer". Journal of Clinical Investigation (2021): https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI146915. 10.1172/JCI146915 Bernardo P. de Almeida; Joana Dias Apolónio; Alexandra Binnie; Pedro Castelo-Branco. "Roadmap of DNA methylation in breast cancer identifies novel prognostic biomarkers". BMC Cancer 19 1 (2019): https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-019-5403-0. Published • 10.1186/s12885-019-5403-0 De Mello, Ramon Andrade; Faleiro, Inês; Apolónio, Joana D; Tabori, Uri; Price, Aryeh J; Roberto, Vânia P; Castelo-Branco, Pedro. "Hot topics in epigenetic regulation of cancer self-renewal for pancreatic tumors: future trends". Future Oncology 15 7 (2019): 683-685. http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/fon-2018-0153. Published • 10.2217/fon-2018-0153 Leão, Ricardo; Lee, Donghyun; Figueiredo, Arnaldo; Hermanns, Thomas; Komosa, Martin; Zhang, Cindy; Lipman, Tatiana; et al. "Combined genetic and epigenetic alterations of the TERT promoter affect clinical and biological behavior of bladder cancer". International Journal of Cancer 144 7 (2018): 1676-1684. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijc.31935. Published • 10.1002/ijc.31935 Lee, Donghyun D.; Leão, Ricardo; Komosa, Martin; Gallo, Marco; Zhang, Cindy H.; Lipman, Tatiana; Apolónio, Joana D.; et al. "DNA hypermethylation within TERT promoter upregulates TERT expression in cancer". Journal of Clinical Investigation 129 1 (2018): 223-229. http://dx.doi.org/10.1172/jci121303. Published • 10.1172/jci121303 Leão, Ricardo; Apolónio, Joana Dias; Lee, Donghyun; Figueiredo, Arnaldo; Tabori, Uri; Castelo-Branco, Pedro. "Mechanisms of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) regulation: clinical impacts in cancer". Journal of Biomedical Science 25 1 (2018): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12929-018-0422-8. Published • 10.1186/s12929-018-0422-8 Faleiro, Inês; Apolónio, Joana Dias; Price, Aryeh J; De Mello, Ramon Andrade; Roberto, Vânia Palma; Tabori, Uri; Castelo-Branco, Pedro. "The TERT hypermethylated oncologic region predicts recurrence and survival in pancreatic cancer". Future Oncology 13 23 (2017): 2045-2051. http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/fon-2017-0167. Published • 10.2217/fon-2017-0167 Apolónio, Joana Dias; Pedro Castelo-Branco; Ricardo Leão; Tatiana Lipman; Brittany Campbell; Donghyun Lee; Cindy Zhang; Uri Tabori. "A cancer specific hypermethylation signature of the TERT promoter predicts biochemical relapse in prostate cancer: a retrospective cohort study.". Oncotarget 7 36 (2016): 57726-57736. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.10639. Published • 10.18632/oncotarget.10639 Apolónio, Joana Dias; Maria Leonor Faleiro; Maria Graça Miguel; Luis Neto. "No induction of antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes during continuous exposure to eugenol and citral.". FEMS Microbiology Letters 354 2 (2014): 92-101. https://doi.org/10.1111/1574-6968.12440. Published • 10.1111/1574-6968.12440
Thesis / Dissertation	Apolónio, Joana. "TERT Hypermethylated Oncologic Region (THOR) as a Biomarker for Breast Cancer". PhD, Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, 2019. Apolónio, Joana. "Acquisition of tolerance to essential oil components by pathogenic bacteria.". Master, Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, 2013.

Activities

Oral presentation

	Presentation title	Event name Host (Event location)
2025/07/10	Event opening, including a presentation of ABC-RI and participation in ‘Panel 1 – A Conversation About Preventing Illness and Disease. Healthcare & Wellness in the Algarve: Highlighting Excellence & Research, July 10, 2025, 9-12.30h, Hotel Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa	Healthcare & Wellness in the Algarve: Highlighting Excellence & Research Ireland Portugal Business Network (IBPN) (Vilamoura, Portugal)
2025/05/21	Participation in the Science Communication Festival “Pint of Science 2025” (8th edition), under the theme “With Feet and Head,” featuring the session “Epigenetic Marks on DNA: A New Perspective on the Early Detection of Breast Cancer” (speaker: Joana Apolónio), 21 May 2025, Game Over Bar, Faro.	Science Communication Festival “Pint of Science 2025” (8th edition) Algarve Biomedical Center Researsh Institute (Faro, Portugal)
2024/10/05	Biomarcador THOR: novo alvo de diagnóstico precoce no cancro da mama?	Highlights no Cancro da Mama para Clínicos 2024 Lusíadas Knowledge Center (Faro, Portugal)
2023/05/24	Wellness & Healthcare Tourism	IPBN Tourism Conference, May 24, 2023, Quinta do Lago, Clubhouse, Portugal IPBN
2023/02/17	Investigation of biomarkers and their application in clinical practice.	2º Congresso do Cancro da Mama do Algarve, Hotel Vila Galé - Lagos, Portugal.
2022/07/14	A revisão por pares como meio de desenvolvimento da escrita científica em contexto de aula	Congresso Nacional de Práticas Pedagógicas no Ensino Superior (CNaPPES), Coimbra (Coimbra, Portugal)
2022/05/28	DNA methylation and its potential as a biomarker in breast cancer	VII Congresso Luso-Brasileiro de Patologia Experimental, May 28, 2022, Coimbra, Portugal.
2021/10/08	Epigenetic alterations associated with aging.	IV Jornadas do Algarve Biomedical Center-ABC Algarve Biomedical Center (Moura, Portugal)
2019/03/29	Targeted DNA Demethylation of TERT hypermethylated oncologic region (THOR) in Breast Cancer.	3rd Annual Meeting of Algarve Biomedical Center Algarve Biomedical Center ( Albufeira, Portugal)
2018/11/16	Gene silencing (siRNA) of Bos taurus prion-like genes, and its relation to progesterone (P4) and 17b-estradiol (E2) concentrations.	Exploring the boundaries of animal, veterinary and biomedical sciences. CIISA congress 2018 CIISA- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (Lisbon, Portugal)
2018/05/10	TERT methylation: a potential diagnostic and prognostic tool for the management of colorectal cancer.	3rd ASPIC International Congress Portuguese Association for Cancer Research (Lisbon, Portugal)
2018/03/16	TERT methylation in colorectal cancer: from molecular mechanisms to clinic significance	2nd Annual Meeting of Algarve Biomedical Center Algarve Biomedical Center (Olhão, Portugal)
2015/11/13	THOR as a biomarker for breast cancer.	VII National Meeting of Health Sciences and Technology Lisbon School of Health Technology (Lisbon, Portugal)
2011/10/21	Obesity influence on lipid profile of patients with diabetes mellitus type II.	VI National Meeting of Health Sciences and Technology Lisbon School of Health Technology (Lisbon, Portugal)

Supervision

	Thesis Title Role	Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2024/11/01 - Current	THORbio: a new liquid biopsy biomarker for breast cancer detection and monitoring. Supervisor	PhD in Biomedical Sciences (PhD) Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal
2025/03/12 - 2025/04/24	Co-supervisor of medical student Lúcia Calleja on “Identification of Genes Associated with Aging and Their Predictive Potential for Cancer Risk in Men". Traineeship. Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, UAlg. Co-supervisor	Medicine (Master) Universidade do Algarve Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Portugal
2025/03/12 - 2025/04/23	Supervisor of medical student Daniela Cardoso, on “Identification of Genes Associated with Aging and Their Predictive Potential for Cancer Risk in Women”, Traineeship. Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, UAlg. Supervisor	Medicine (Master) Universidade do Algarve Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Portugal
2023/03/13 - 2023/04/20	Supervisor of medical student, Susana Matias, on An exploratory study of PRAC2, TDRD10, and TMEM132C genes as new potential epigenetic biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in breast cancer, Traineeship. Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, UAlg. Supervisor	Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal
2022/03/15 - 2022/04/20	Supervisor of medical student, Sofia Gomes, on DNA methylation as a new biomarker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via TGF-ß and Hedgehog signaling pathways, Traineeship. Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal. Supervisor	Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal
2021/05/01 - 2022/03/24	Identification of new epigenetic biomarkers in urothelial bladder cancer. Co-supervisor	Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2016/01/04 - 2016/06/30	DNA methylation patterns in Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors” Co-supervisor	Biochemical Sciences (Degree) Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal

Event organisation

	Event name Type of event (Role)	Institution / Organization
2026/09/27 - 2026/10/02	ISN Advanced School 2026 “Stress, proteostasis, and RNA dynamics: Neurochemical mechanisms in brain function and disease”, to be held from September 27 to October 2, 2026, in Faro, Portugal. (2026/09/27 - 2026/10/02) Workshop (Member of the Organising Committee)	Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Portugal
2026/05/11 - 2026/05/17	3rd International Portugal-USA Summer Course in Cancer Research”, from 11-17 May, 2026, in Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal. (2026/05/11 - 2026/05/17) Workshop	Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal
2025/10/25 - 2025/10/25	4th edition of the Solidarity walk and run Mama em Movimento, organized by ABC in partnership with the Algarunners Sports Association, and with the support of the Algarve Oncological Association (AOA) and Portuguese Cancer League (LPCC-NRS), October 25, 2025, Faro, Portugal. (2025/10/25 - 2025/10/25) Other (President of the Organising Committee)	Algarve Biomedical Centre, Portugal
2024/10/27 - 2024/10/27	3rd Edition of the Solidarity walk and run “Mama em Movimento”, organized by ABC in partnership with the Algarviana Team - Cultural and Sports Association, and with the support of the Algarve Oncological Association (AOA) and Portuguese Cancer League (LPCC-NRS), October 27, 2024, Faro, Portugal. (2024/10/27 - 2024/10/27) Other (President of the Organising Committee)	Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal
2023/10/29 - 2023/10/29	2nd edition of the Solidarity walk and run Mama em Movimento, organized by ABC in partnership with the Algarviana Team - Cultural and Sports Association, and with the support of the Algarve Oncological Association (AOA) and Portuguese Cancer League (LPCC-NRS), October 29, 2023, Faro, Portugal. (2023/10/29 - 2023/10/29) Other (President of the Organising Committee)	Centro Académico de Investigação e Formação Biomédica do Algarve, Portugal
2022/12/06 - 2022/12/07	Member of the Organizing Committee of the International Conference Aging Without Borders, December 6-7, 2022, Faro, Portugal. (2022/12/06 - 2022/12/07) Congress (Member of the Organising Committee)	Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Portugal
2022/10/23 - 2022/10/23	1st edition of the Solidarity walk and run ¿Mama em Movimento¿, organized by ABC in partnership with the Algarviana Team - Cultural and Sports Association, and with the support of the Algarve Oncological Association (AOA) October 23, 2022, Faro, Portugal. (2022/10/23 - 2022/10/23)
2021/03/10 - 2021/03/10	Organization of the International Conference "Clinical Academic Centers: The Impact on Clinical Research", March 10, 2021, Cineteatro Louletano, Loulé. Hybrid event (in person and live online). (2021/03/10 - 2021/03/10)	Centro Académico de Investigação e Formação Biomédica do Algarve, Portugal
2018/10/22 - 2018/10/31	Organization of a fundraising to support breast cancer care in collaboration with Algarve Oncology Association. Raising awareness and sharing information about Breast Cancer and the role of Algarve Oncology Association. Promote the collection of donations to support the fight against breast cancer. (2018/10/22 - 2018/10/31) Other (Co-organisor)	Universidade do Algarve Centro de Investigação em Biomedicina, Portugal Associação Oncológica do Algarve, Portugal
2017/09/08 - 2017/09/08	Organization of the 2nd CBMR/ProRegem Annual Meeting (2017/09/08 - 2017/09/08) Meeting (Member of the Organising Committee)	Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal
2016/07/01 - 2016/07/01	Organization of the 1st CBMR/ProRegem annual meeting. (2016/07/01 - 2016/07/01) Meeting (Member of the Organising Committee)	Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal

Event participation

	Activity description Type of event	Event name Institution / Organization
2026/03/04 - 2026/03/06	CIALVE 2026 - International Congress on Lifelong Nutrition: Scientific Evidence and Innovative Practices, held online from March 4 to 6, 2026, with a total duration of 18 hours. Organized by ANGES – National Association of Social Gerontology. Congress	CIALVE 2026 - International Congress on Lifelong Nutrition: Scientific Evidence and Innovative Practices ANGES – Associação Nacional de Gerontologia Social, Portugal
2025/10/09 - 2025/10/09	Training session “From Concept to Practice: Simulation as a Pedagogical Strategy”, held on 9 October 2025, from 10:00 to 12:00, in the CRIA Training Room, Pavilion B1, Gambelas Campus. Trainer: Liliana Faria, UAlg – SOUAlg Training and Development Unit. Other	“From Concept to Practice: Simulation as a Pedagogical Strategy” Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2025/09/04 - 2025/09/06	GIMM Festival \| Questions of the Future: Aging and Longevity. 4th-6th September 2025, Pavilhão de Portugal, Lisbon Congress	GIMM Festival \| Questions of the Future: Aging and Longevity. Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine, Portugal
2025/07/21 - 2025/07/21	Training course on Liquid Biopsies: “Learn & Grow: A Liquid Biopsy cfDNA Course – Module I: Sample Preparation and cfDNA Purification + Module II: Analytical Considerations for cfDNA Biomarker Analysis Powered by NGS.” 21 July 2025, online, 1.5 hours. Workshop	“Learn & Grow: A Liquid Biopsy cfDNA Course – Module I: Sample Preparation and cfDNA Purification + Module II: Analytical Considerations for cfDNA Biomarker Analysis Powered by NGS” QIAGEN GmbH, Germany
2025/05/24 - 2025/05/24	Participation in the “Health Screening – National Day Against Obesity,” organized by the Algarve Biomedical Center in partnership with MAR Shopping Algarve, held on 24 May 2025, 10:00–18:00, MAR Shopping Algarve, Loulé, Portugal. https://www.viralagenda.com/pt/events/1631560/mar-shopping-algarve-promove-tres-acoes-dedicadas-a-saude-durante-o-mes-de-maio Other	"Health Screening – National Day Against Obesity” Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Portugal
2025/05/03 - 2025/05/03	Participation in the FNAC Talk session “Moving Against Cancer – Research at Every Step”, promoted by the Faro Support Group of the Portuguese League Against Cancer – Southern Regional Nucleous, and organized in collaboration with ABC and ABC-RI. May 3, 2025, FNAC Fórum Algarve, Faro. https://www.facebook.com/100082420357778/photos/679164328174240/?_rdr Round table	FNAC Talk session “Moving Against Cancer – Research at Every Step” Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro Núcleo Regional do Sul, Portugal Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Portugal
2025/03/28 - 2025/03/28	Participation in the “Blood Donation Awareness Event” organized by the Algarve Biomedical Center in partnership with MAR Shopping Algarve, held on 28 March 2025, 10:00–18:00, MAR Shopping Algarve, Loulé, Portugal. https://algarvebiomedicalcenter.pt/abc-promotes-blood-donation-awareness-event-at-mar-shopping/ Other	“Blood Donation Awareness Event” Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Portugal
2025/02/25 - 2025/02/25	Participation in the University of Algarve (UAlg) Open Days, “Come Do Science at FMCB and ABC-RI”; organization and participation in the ABC-RI activity “Are We the Same Age as Our Cells?”; lecture and assessment of parameters using a bioimpedance scale and measurement of muscle strength with a dynamometer. Activities aimed at secondary school students (11th and 12th grades), 25 February 2025, UAlg, Faro. https://www.ualg.pt/futuros-universitarios-vieram-conhecer-e-sentir-ualg-nos-dias-abertos Other	University of Algarve (UAlg) Open Days Universidade do Algarve Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Portugal
2025/02/04 - 2025/02/04	X JORNADAS DE INVESTIGAÇÃO EM ONCOLOGIA, organized by Portuguese League Against Cancer - South Regional Nucleus (LPCC-NRS). Meeting	X JORNADAS DE INVESTIGAÇÃO EM ONCOLOGIA Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro Núcleo Regional do Sul, Portugal
2024/11/20 - 2024/11/20	Participation in the Science and Technology Week - ABC-RI Day at CCV Algarve, Activity for the 3rd Cycle and Secondary School, entitled “Are we the same age as our cells? Aging begins when we are born and from the age of 25 physical decline begins. What factors allow us to live longer and better?”, organized by the Life Sciences Center of Algarve and University of Algarve, November 20, 2024, Faro, Portugal. Seminar	Science and Technology Week - ABC-RI Day at CCV Algarve Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Portugal Life Sciences Center of Algarve , Portugal Universidade do Algarve, Portugal
2024/10/01 - 2024/10/01	Participation in the National Cancer Hub - PT Session, organized by AICIB and DGS, at Secção Regional do Norte da Ordem dos Médicos, Sala Braga, October 1, 2024, Porto, Portugal. Round table	National Cancer Hub - PT Session AICIB - Agência de Investigação Clínica e Inovação Biomédica, Portugal
2024/04/12 - 2024/04/12	IX JORNADAS DE INVESTIGAÇÃO EM ONCOLOGIA, organized by Portuguese League Against Cancer - South Regional Nucleus (LPCC-NRS). Meeting	IX JORNADAS DE INVESTIGAÇÃO EM ONCOLOGIA Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro Núcleo Regional do Sul, Portugal
2020/03/09 - 2020/03/12	Clarification sessions about COVID-19 disease to the community and companies Seminar	Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal
2016/11/21 - 2016/11/25	European Week of Science, organized by the Life Sciences Center of Algarve and University of Algarve Seminar	European Week of Science. Universidade do Algarve Centro de Investigação em Biomedicina, Portugal Life Sciences Center of Algarve , Portugal
2014/12/17 - 2014/12/17	Monitor of students from the student award winners “Uma Forma de Cancro”, Life Sciences Center of Algarve and DCBM, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal. Workshop	Student award winners “Uma Forma de Cancro” Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal Life Sciences Center of Algarve , Portugal
2013/05/15 - 2013/05/15	Participation in the project "Being a Doctor and /or Scientist for a day". Exhibition	Project "Being a Doctor and /or Scientist for a day". Universidade do Algarve Centro de Investigação em Biomedicina, Portugal

Jury of academic degree

	Topic Role	Candidate name (Type of degree) Institution / Organization
2024/10/08	Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Sciences, at Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, of Graduate João Coelho – dissertation on “MicroRNAs circulantes preditores do sucesso da cirurgia bariátrica”. (Thesis) Main arguer	João Coelho (Other) Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal
2022/07/07	Effects of Carica papaya extracts on expression patterns of fetal hemoglobin regulatory genes. (Thesis) Main arguer	Maria Inês Mendes (Master) Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Portugal

Association member

	Society Organization name	Role
2015 - Current	ASPIC - Portuguese Association for Cancer Research.
2015 - Current	EACR - European Association of Cancer Research.

Committee member

	Activity description Role	Institution / Organization
2020/04/30 - 2020/05/19	Member of the evaluation committee of the proposals submitted to the 2nd edition of FCT-Research4Covid19. Member	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal

Course / Discipline taught

	Academic session	Degree Subject (Type)	Institution / Organization
2019/03/04 - 2019/05/31	Seminars for the Pharmacy degree: “Technologies for genome edition”, May 14. (3h) “Molecular Biology of Cancer”, April 23. (3h) Practical class: “Restriction enzymes, cloning and plasmid DNA extraction”, April 3. (4h)	Pharmacy (Licenciatura)	Universidade do Algarve Escola Superior de Saúde, Portugal
2016/10/04 - 2016/10/29	Seminars for the advanced course in Applied Epigenetics to the Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis: “Discussion of the role of Epigenetics in clinical laboratory diagnosis”, October 27. (3h) “Databases: Roadmap Epigenomics Project and TCGA”, October 22. (4h) “Epigenetic alterations associated to breast cancer”, October 20. (3h)	Advanced course in Applied Epigenetics to the Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis (Outros)	Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Portugal
2015/01/05 - 2015/03/08	Seminar for the classes of Oncolabs II of the Master in Oncobiology: “Extraction, Restriction and electrophoresis of plasmidic DNA”, January 12 (4h).	Master in Oncobiology (Mestrado)	Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal
2014/02/17 - 2014/05/30	Seminar for the Technology and Food Safety Degree, “Innate Immune System, April 30 (2h).	Technology and Food Safety (Licenciatura)	Universidade do Algarve, Portugal

Evaluation committee

	Activity description Role	Institution / Organization	Funding entity
2025/12/16 - 2025/12/16	Member of the jury (examiner) at the Annual PhD Students’ Meeting within the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, held on 16 December 2025. Evaluator	Universidade do Algarve Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Portugal

Mentoring / Tutoring

	Topic	Student name
2017/01/02 - 2017/02/03	“DNA methylation patterns of MGP in cancer”.	Nuno Carrasco
2017/01/02 - 2017/02/03	“Methylation Patterns in Tumor Suppressor Genes and Oncogenes involved in Breast Cancer”.	Maria Mouzinho
2016/01/04 - 2016/02/05	"Epigenetic regulation of TERT Hypermethylated Oncologic Region (THOR) and its implications in the diagnosis and prognosis of Colorectal Cancer"	Luis Relvas
2015/06/20 - 2015/07/28	“THOR methylation in pancreatic and thyroid carcinoma”.	Inês Faleiro

Other jury / evaluation

	Activity description	Institution / Organization
2018/11/01 - 2018/11/20	Reviewer of the article “MiR-202 inhibits cell proliferation, invasion and migration in breast cancer by targeting ROCK1 gene” Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, Manuscript ID: JCB-18-2656. November, 2018.	Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal

Distinctions

Award

2025	Oncology Research Fellowship LPCC-NRS 2025 Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro Núcleo Regional do Sul, Portugal
2019	Best oral communication entitled “Targeted DNA Demethylation of TERT hypermethylated oncologic region (THOR) in Breast Cancer” Algarve Biomedical Center, Portugal
2017	EACR Travel Fellowship European Association For Cancer Research, United Kingdom
2016	Award of excellence from the Directorate General for Higher Education (DGES) Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES), Portugal
2015	Merit award of Master Degree in Biomedical Sciences from New University of Lisbon Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
2012	Merit Award of Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences Caixa Geral de Depositos, Portugal

Other distinction

2011	Erasmus Scholarship Ministério da Educação, Portugal