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Cristiana Fernandes holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry (minor in Clinical Biochemistry) from the University of Aveiro. Her Master’s thesis was conducted in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, where she investigated the role of estrogen in cardiac microvascular endothelial cell function and its implications for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This work allowed her to develop expertise in cell culture, biochemical assays, and molecular biology techniques, such as protein extraction and immunoblotting. Following her Master’s degree, Cristiana worked as a research fellow in the CANNVALUE project at CICECO and LAQV-REQUIMTE (University of Aveiro), where she focused on polysaccharide-based encapsulation systems and structural characterization using GC-FID. She is currently a researcher at the Lipidomics Laboratory of the Mass Spectrometry Centre (University of Aveiro), contributing to the ENABLE project, where she applies LC-MS-based lipidomic approaches to study early-life environmental exposures and metabolic health. In addition to her research activities, Cristiana has actively participated in scientific dissemination through conference presentations and outreach initiatives.
Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Cristiana Duarte Fernandes

Citation names

  • Fernandes, Cristiana

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
3614-DE74-0090
ORCID iD
0009-0005-8499-6734

Knowledge fields

  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Biochemical Research Methods
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Cell Biology
  • Medical and Health Sciences
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Molecular Biology

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
Portuguese (Mother tongue)
English Upper intermediate (B2) Upper intermediate (B2) Upper intermediate (B2) Upper intermediate (B2) Upper intermediate (B2)
Education
Degree Classification
2025/03/11 - 2029
Ongoing
Programa Doutoral em Bioquímica (Doutoramento)
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
2022/06/03 - 2024/12/10
Concluded
Bioquímica (Mestrado)
Major in Bioquímica Clínica
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
18 in 20 values
2024/04/19 - 2024/04/19
Concluded
ICH Boas Práticas Clínicas E6 (R2) (Outros)
The Global Health Network, United Kingdom
100 %
2022/03/14 - 2022/06/23
Concluded
Curso Livre de Inglês (Outros)
Major in nível Intermédio II - B2.2
Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Línguas e Culturas, Portugal
19 in 20 values
2018/09/15 - 2021/09/15
Concluded
Bioquímica (Licenciatura)
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
14 in 20 values
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution
Employer
2026/02/01 - Current Contracted Researcher (Research) Universidade de Aveiro Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Portugal
Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Química, Portugal
2025/03/15 - 2026/01/31 Contracted Researcher (Research) Universidade de Aveiro CICECO, Portugal
Universidade de Aveiro CICECO, Portugal
Projects

Contract

Designation Funders
2026/02/01 - Current ENABLE - Enabling environments for NCD risk reduction in Ethiopia
Research Fellow
European Union
Ongoing
2025/03/15 - 2026/01/31 CANNVALUE - Valorização de subprodutos do processo de extração de canabinoides e suas aplicações
COMPETE2030-FEDER-01203300
Research Fellow
European Union
Ongoing
2024/01/02 - 2024/12/10 Exploring SEX-specific DIFferences in ENDothelial (dys)function towards improved HFpEF management
2022.04344.PTDC
Estudante de Mestrado
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
Outputs

Publications

Conference abstract
  1. Fernandes, Cristiana; Ferreira C., Filipa; Coelho, Elisabete; Nunes, Cláudia; Coimbra, Manuel A.. "Impact of Drying Methods on the Encapsulation Efficiency of Oils Using Polysaccharides". Paper presented in 15th International Joint Meeting GLUPOR 15 & GLYCOTwinning 2025, Coimbra, 2025.
  2. Nogueira-Ferreira, Rita; Relva-Pinto, Joana; Fernandes, Cristiana; Grego, Ana; ADELINO LEITE-MOREIRA; Dias-Neto, Marina. "The impact of 17ß-estradiol and testosterone on male and female microvascular endothelial cardiac cells". Paper presented in 59th Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Society for Clinical Investigation: Aging in focus – a comprehensive view for enhancing healthspan, Genoa, 2025.
    Published
  3. Fernandes, Cristiana; Grego, Ana; Ivo Fonseca; Ferreira, Rita; ADELINO LEITE-MOREIRA; Dias-Neto, Marina; Oliveira, Sandra Marisa; Nogueira-Ferreira, Rita. "Estrogen and endothelial dysfunction: Unraveling sex differences in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells function". Paper presented in V International Congress in HEALTH SCIENCES RESEARCH From molecule to community, Covilhã, 2025.
  4. Fernandes, Cristiana; Grego, Ana; Ivo Fonseca; Ferreira, Rita; ADELINO LEITE-MOREIRA; Dias-Neto, Marina; Oliveira, Sandra Marisa; Nogueira-Ferreira, Rita. "Sex-dependent efects of estrogen on cardiac microvascular endothelial cell function". Paper presented in 3rd International Meeting of the Portuguese Physiological Society (Frontiers), Porto, 2024.
    Published
Conference poster
  1. Fernandes, Cristiana; Ferreira C., Filipa; Coelho, Elisabete; Nunes, Cláudia; Coimbra, Manuel A.. "Polysaccharide-Based Encapsulation of Sunflower Oil: Effect of Drying Techniques". Paper presented in Jornadas CICECO 2025, 2025.
  2. Fernandes, Cristiana; Ferreira C., Filipa; Coelho, Elisabete; Nunes, Cláudia; Coimbra, Manuel A.. "Impact of Drying Methods on the Encapsulation Efficiency of Oils Using Polysaccharides". Paper presented in International Joint Meeting GLUPOR 15 & GLYCOTwinning 2025, 2025.
  3. Nogueira-Ferreira, Rita; Relva-Pinto, Joana; Fernandes, Cristiana; Grego, Ana; Ivo Fonseca; ADELINO LEITE-MOREIRA; Dias-Neto, Marina; Ferreira, Rita; Oliveira, Sandra Marisa. "The impact of 17ß-estradiol and testosterone on male and female microvascular endothelial cardiac cells". Paper presented in 59th Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Society for Clinical Investigation: Aging in focus – a comprehensive view for enhancing healthspan, 2025.
  4. Relva-Pinto, Joana; Fernandes, Cristiana; Grego, Ana; Ivo Fonseca; ADELINO LEITE-MOREIRA; Dias-Neto, Marina. "Sex-specific effects of 17ß-estradiol and testosterone on human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells". Paper presented in XVI Biochemistry Day – Microbiota: Unveiling the Biochemistry within us, 2025.
  5. Fernandes, Cristiana; Grego, Ana; Ivo Fonseca; Ferreira, Rita; Adelino Leite-Moreira; Dias-Neto, Marina; Oliveira, Sandra Marisa; Nogueira-Ferreira, Rita. Corresponding author: Nogueira-Ferreira, Rita. "Estrogen and endothelial dysfunction: Unravelling sex differences in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells function". Paper presented in V International Congress in Health Sciences Research, 2025.
  6. Fernandes, Cristiana; Grego, Ana; Ivo Fonseca; Ferreira, Rita; Adelino Leite-Moreira; Dias-Neto, Marina; Oliveira, Sandra Marisa; Nogueira-Ferreira, Rita. "Sex-dependent effects of estrogen on cardiac microvascular endothelial cell function". Paper presented in 3rd International Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Physiology, 2024.
  7. Fernandes, Cristiana; Oliveira, Sandra Marisa; Grego, Ana; Ferreira, Rita; Nogueira-Ferreira, Rita. "Endothelial Dysfunction in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Does Sex Matter?". Paper presented in XV Biochemistry Day, 2024.
Journal article
  1. Grego, Ana; Fernandes, Cristiana; Fonseca, Ivo; Dias-Neto, Marina; Costa, Raquel; Leite-Moreira, Adelino; Oliveira, Sandra Marisa; Trindade, Fábio; Nogueira-Ferreira, Rita. Corresponding author: Nogueira-Ferreira, Rita. "Endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases: mechanisms and in vitro models". Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry 480 8 (2025): 4671-4695. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-025-05289-w.
    Open access • Published • 10.1007/s11010-025-05289-w
  2. Joana Santos; Barreto, A.; Cristiana Fernandes; Ana Rita Silva; Diogo Cardoso; Edgar Pinto; Ana L. Daniel-da-Silva; Maria, Vera L.. "A Comprehensive Ecotoxicity Study of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheets versus Bulk form in Soil Organisms". Nanomaterials (2023): https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/24/3163.
    10.3390/nano13243163
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. "Evaluation of estrogen effect on cardiac microvascular endothelial cells function". Master, 2024.
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2024/11/26 The effects of estrogen on cardiac microvascula endothelial cells function: the role of sex (Dissemination of the results of the SEXDIFEND project) In vitro models of Cardiovascular Diseases
Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (Porto, Portugal)

Event participation

Activity description
Type of event
Event name
Institution / Organization
2026/03/04 - 2026/03/04 Attended the XVII Biochemistry Day, focused on the contribution of biochemistry over the 50 years of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Aveiro, along with sessions featuring talks and experiences from invited speakers and former students, and participated in the “Mostra Ciência” outreach activity, sharing the work of the lipidomics laboratory with younger students.
Conference
XVII Biochemistry Day
Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Química, Portugal
2026/03/04 - 2026/03/04 Promotion of research in the Lipidomics Lab at the University of Aveiro through the “Lipodrome: A Fun Journey to Raise Awareness of Lipids and Health” outreach activity, sharing concepts and applications related to lipids in food, marine organisms, plants, and health and disease with younger students, contributing to science outreach and engagement.
Call
Concurso de Mostras de Ciência integrado no evento XVII Biochemistry Day
Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Química, Portugal
2025/10/09 - 2025/10/09 Attended the Jornadas CICECO 2025, featuring scientific sessions on nanotechnology, catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, and advanced materials, and participated in poster sessions presenting my own work, fostering scientific exchange and networking.
Conference
Jornadas CICECO 2025: Navigating the Borders of Knowledge
Universidade de Aveiro CICECO, Portugal
2025/09/15 - 2025/09/17 Attended a congress covering glycobiology in health and disease, as well as applications in materials science and food, including participation in poster sessions with my own work, promoting interdisciplinary exchange and networking.
Congress
15th International Joint Meeting GLUPOR 15 & GLYCOTwinning 2025
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal

Universidade Nova de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Portugal
2025/06/04 - 2025/06/04 Online event focusing on laboratory quality standards and practices.
Seminar
Seminário Qualidade em Laboratórios
Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Química, Portugal

Laboratório Central de Análises, Portugal
2025/05/15 - 2025/05/15 Attended an event on microbiota, exploring host–microbiome biochemical interactions and their relevance to health and disease, along with sessions featuring experiences shared by former Biochemistry students from the Department of Chemistry.
Conference
XVI Biochemistry Day - Microbiota: Unveiling the Biochemistry within us
Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Química, Portugal
2024/11/26 - 2024/11/26 Participated and delivered an oral presentation presenting results from my Master’s thesis
Workshop
Workshop “In vitro models of Cardiovascular Diseases”
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2024/11/07 - 2024/11/08 Attended and presented a poster engaging in scientific discussion.
Congress
3rd International Meeting of the Portuguese Society of Physiology
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2024/05/29 - 2024/05/29 Online event about the experimental use of animal models for the study of development and regeneration.
Workshop
III Workshop em Modelos Animais - Regeneração e Desenvolvimento
Universidade de Évora, Portugal
2024/04/12 - 2024/04/12 Promotion of research in the cardiovascular area in the Department of Surgery and Physiology of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto. Sharing concepts of cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, and histology.
Exhibition
Mostra U.Porto 2024
Universidade do Porto, Portugal
2024/04/10 - 2024/04/10 Attended the XV Biochemistry Day at the University of Aveiro, focused on the contribution of biochemistry to sustainability.
Conference
XV Biochemistry Day - Contribution of Biochemistry for Sustainability
Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Química, Portugal
2021/06/23 - 2021/06/23 Online event led by Dr. Slavka Andrejkovicová, learning about her experiences and insights as a researcher at NASA.
Workshop
Space Talk – From ‘Casa’ to NASA
Scientific Junior Value, Portugal
2020/12/19 - 2020/12/19 Online event exploring mental health, sleep, and neuroscience topics.
Workshop
Brainload – Power Up YourKnowledge
Scientific Junior Value, Portugal
2020/12/05 - 2020/12/05 Online event led by Dr. Margarida Pinto, focusing on practical workplace skills, safety practices, and career tips.
Workshop
Work Safe
Scientific Junior Value, Portugal
2019/04/12 - 2019/04/15 Attended the XII ENEBIOQ at the University of Aveiro, with active participation in the Alta Pressão workshop
Conference
XII ENEBIOQ
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Other jury / evaluation

Activity description Institution / Organization
2026/03/04 - 2026/03/04 Served as a jury member in the Poster Contest at the XVII Biochemistry Day at the University of Aveiro, evaluating scientific posters presented by Bachelor’s and Master’s students and engaging with student research. Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Química, Portugal
2025/05/07 - 2025/05/07 Served as a jury member in the Poster Contest at the XVI Biochemistry Day at the University of Aveiro, evaluating scientific posters presented by Bachelor’s and Master’s students and engaging with student research. Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Química, Portugal
Distinctions

Award

2026 Honorable Mention for the Mostra de Ciência for the outreach activity “Lipodrome: A Fun Journey to Raise Awareness of Lipids and Health” at the XVII Biochemistry Day
Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Química, Portugal
2024 Honorable Mention for the poster presentation ""Endothelial Dysfunction in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Does Sex Matter?" at the XV Biochemistry Day
Universidade de Aveiro Departamento de Química, Portugal
2018 Merit Award: Scholarship to the best freshman students of the University of Aveiro
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal