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I obtained a PhD in MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES in 2020 by Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB NOVA), a Master DEGREE in Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2009 by Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra (FCTUC), and a 5-year degree in Biology ("Licenciatura pré-bolonha") in 2007 by FCTUC. Currently, I am a Post-Doc at ITQB NOVA. I am AUTHOR/CO-AUTHOR of 12 PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS (9 as FIRST AUTHOR), and of 14 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS and 32 POSTERS in national and international scientific meetings. I have participated as TEAM MEMBER in several RESEARCH PROJECTS in the areas of the epidemiology of Gram positive bacteria, and vaccine impact, with special focus on the EPIDEMIOLOGY OF STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE. I have CO-SUPERVISED UNDERGRADUATE AND MASTER STUDENTS and have TAUGHT IN MASTER LEVEL COURSES. My main area of interest is molecular epidemiology of Gram-positive bacteria. Currently, I am particularly interested in understanding the role of PNEUMOCOCCUS-LIKE CAPSULES expressed by COMMENSAL BACTERIA closely related with S. pneumoniae, and its IMPACT ON PATHOGEN EPIDEMIOLOGY. I am also interested in understand carriage dynamics of clinically relevant bacteria and virus in the upper respiratory tract of the adult host. I have been involved in the IMPLEMENTATION and VALIDATION of a COVID-19 DIAGNOSTIC TEST LABORATORY. This initiative was carried out in ITQB NOVA in collaboration with the Municipality of Oeiras. I INTEGRATED THE CORE TEAM THAT was RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAILY MANAGEMENT OF THIS INITIATIVE. Through these studies I have acquired long experience in molecular epidemiology of Gram positive bacteria, planning and carrying out field work, management of a large number of samples, characterization, detailed analysis and integration of laboratory findings with epidemiological information.
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Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Sónia Almeida

Citation names

  • Almeida, Sónia T

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
9910-BFA9-6461
ORCID iD
0000-0002-8143-5254

Email addresses

  • soniaalmeida@itqb.unl.pt (Professional)

Telephones

Telephone
  • 214469628 Ext.: 628 (Professional)

Addresses

  • ITQB NOVA. Av da República , 2780-157, Oeiras, Oeiras, Portugal (Professional)

Knowledge fields

  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Biology
  • Medical and Health Sciences - Health Sciences - Epidemiology
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Microbiology

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
Portuguese (Mother tongue)
English Upper intermediate (B2) Advanced (C1) Upper intermediate (B2) Upper intermediate (B2)
Education
Degree Classification
2016/01/01 - 2020/05/26
Concluded
 Molecular Biosciences (Doutoramento)
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
"Dynamics of bacterial colonization in the upper respiratory tract of the adult host" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 Unanimously approved
2007/09/01 - 2009/09/21
Concluded
 Cellular and Molecular Biology (Mestrado)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
"Estudo da Etiologia do Autismo Utilizando as Técnicas de FISH e MLPA" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 18 (0-20)
2002/09/01 - 2007/09/30
Concluded
 Biology (Licenciatura)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
"Tecnologias em Citogenética: Aplicabilidade na Etiologia do Autismo" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 14 (0-20)
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2023/02/01 - Current Contracted Researcher (Research) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2020/01/01 - 2023/01/31 Postdoc (Research) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2010/04/01 - 2015/12/31 Research Trainee (Research) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2014/07/21 - 2014/07/25 Visiting Researcher (Research) Molecular Microbiology Department, University Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain., Spain
Molecular Microbiology Department, University Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain., Spain

Others

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2016/01/01 - 2020/05/26 PhD student Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2007/09/01 - 2009/09/21 Master student Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
2006/09/01 - 2007/09/01 Undergraduate student Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2024/09/01 - Current CAPSMi - Characterization of the diversity of Streptococcus pneumoniae-like capsules expressed by other streptococci and impact on pneumococcal diagnosis and epidemiology
ESCMID Grant
Principal investigator
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Portugal
 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Ongoing
2023/02/01 - Current PneumoAd - Pneumococcal carriage in Portuguese adults
100643
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Portugal
 MSD Portugal
Ongoing
2020/01/01 - 2023/01/31 PneumoY3 - Effect of universal use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumococcal colonization: a study following several years of use of PCVs in the private market in Portugal
WI230921
Research Fellow
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
 Pfizer Portugal
Ongoing
2017/01/01 - 2020/12/31 ONEIDA: An Omics Network to Prevent and Control Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance.
SAICTPAC/0015/2015
LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-016417
Researcher
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Portugal

Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Portugal

Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Portugal
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2014/01/01 - 2015/12/31 PneumoS - Influence of cigarette smoking in the dynamics of carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae: a longitudinal study
WI183695
Research Fellow
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
 Pfizer Portugal
Concluded
2011/04/01 - 2013/12/31 Pneumococcal colonization patterns in the elderly living in urban and rural areas of Portugal (PneumoEL)
0887X1-4629
Research Fellow
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
 Pfizer Portugal
Concluded
2012/01/01 - 2012/03/31 Pneumococcal colonization patterns in young children living in urban and rural areas of Portugal in the era of the 13-valent conjugate vaccine
WS857151
Research Fellow
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
 Pfizer Portugal
Concluded
2010/04/01 - 2011/12/31 Unraveling pneumococcal interactions in the nasopharyngeal niche
PTDC/BIA-BEC/098289/2008
Research Fellow
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded

Other

Designation Funders
2025/01/01 - 2027/12/31 PneumoFAM - Intergenerational transmission dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae within families
103123
Post-doc
MSD Portugal, Portugal
2023/11/01 - 2026/09/30 PneumoY4 - impact of universal use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in the pediatric population in Portugal
89051149
Post-doc
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Portugal
 Pfizer, Portugal
Ongoing
2021/01/01 - 2023/06/30 STOP-COVID: Strategies to prevent COVID-19 by early detection of asymptomatic carriers at increased risk: epidemiological studies and validation of a rapid in-house diagnostic test
072559
Post-doc
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
 Programa Operacional Regional Lisboa 2020
2020/06/01 - 2022/05/31 Implementation, validation and management of a COVID-19 diagnostic testing laboratory at ITQB NOVA
NA
Team member responsible for implementation, validation, and management of a COVID-19 diagnostic testing laboratory; and volunteer
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
 Câmara Municipal de Oeiras
Concluded
Outputs

Publications

Conference poster
  1. Paulo, A. C.; S. T. Almeida; S. Handem; A. S. Simões; R. Sá-Leão. "SARS-COV-2 induces significant changes in the oropharyngeal microbiota of asymptomatic individuals". Paper presented in 13th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-13). Cape Town, South Africa. March 17-20, 2024.
  2. Almeida, S. T.; A. S. Simões; S. Handem; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Saliva-based analysis of pneumococcal carriage and serotype distribution among children in Portugal in the era of universal PCV13 use". Paper presented in 13th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-13). Cape Town, South Africa. March 17-20, 2024.
  3. Paulo, A. C; S. T. Almeida; S. Handem; A. S. Simões; R. Sá-Leão. "Unveiling COVID-19 effects: SARS-CoV-2 significantly alters the oropharyngeal microbiota of asymptomatic adults". Paper presented in Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2023). Covilhã, Portugal. December 7-9, 2023.
  4. Almeida, S. T.; A. S. Simões, S. Handem; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage and serotype distribution in saliva samples from pre-school children". Paper presented in Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2023). Covilhã, Portugal. December 7-9, 2023.
  5. Simões A. S; S. T. Almeida; C. Valente; T. Touret; J. Lança; A. R. Cruz; S. Martins; R. Nordin; T. Bacelar; L. Afonso; I. Afonso; A. A. Reis; C. Carvalhal; J. Lobo; R. Sá-Leão ; and ITQB NOVA COVID-19 Volunteer Working Group, the Healthcare Workers and the Clinical and Health Council of ACES Lisbo. "A partnership between the Municipality of Oeiras, the local primary-care center (ACES-LOO) and ITQB NOVA to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks through active screening of civil servants". Paper presented in V International Conference NOVAhealth Chronic Disease and Infection - COVID-19: the contribution of NOVA - Lessons learned, perspectives for the future. Lisboa, Portugal. October 14, 2022.
  6. Lança J.; A. C. Paulo; S. T. Almeida; R. Sá-Leão. "Factors shaping the upper respiratory tract microbiota of healthy adults". Paper presented in EMBO - FEBS Lecture Course - The New Microbiology. Spetses, Greece. August 31 - September 8, 2022.
  7. Almeida S. T; A. C. Paulo, F. Froes. H. de Lencastre and R. Sá-Leão. "Dynamics of pneumococcal carriage in adults: a new look to an old paradigm". Paper presented in Streptococcal Biology Gordon Research Seminar "Evolving Genomes, Behavior and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Streptococci and Enterococci. Sunday River, Newery, ME, USA. August 14-19, 2022.
  8. Candeias C.; S. T. Almeida; A. S. Simões; B. Ferreira; A. R. Cruz; M. Queirós; T. Touret; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Introduction of PCV13 into the Portuguese national immunization plan: impact on Streptococcus pneumoniae carried by children.". Paper presented in 12th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-12). Toronto, Canada. June 19-23, 2022.
  9. Candeias C.; S. T. Almeida; A. S. Simões; B. Ferreira; A. R. Cruz; M. Queirós; T. Touret; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Evolution of antimicrobial resistance among pneumococci carried by children in Portugal". Paper presented in 12th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases(ISPPD-12). Toronto, Canada. June 19-23, 2022.
  10. Candeias C.; S. T. Almeida; A. S. Simões; B. Ferreira; A. R. Cruz; M. Queirós; T. Touret; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Impact of the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in the National Immunization Plan, on Streptococcus pneumoniae carried by children in Portugal". Paper presented in 32nd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) Lisboa, Portugal. April 23-, 2022.
  11. Candeias C.; S. T. Almeida; A. S. Simões; B. Ferreira; A. R.Cruz; M. Queirós; T. Touret; A. Brito-Avô, H. de Lencastre, R. Sá-Leão. "Pneumococcal carriage among Portuguese children after the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in the National Immunization Plan". Paper presented in Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2021). Lisboa, Portugal. November 23-26, 2021.
  12. Almeida S. T.; A. C. Paulo; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Evaluation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in the elderly in Portugal using selective enrichment followed by qPCR". Paper presented in Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2021). Lisboa, Portugal. November 23-26, 2021.
  13. Simões A. S.; S. T. Almeida; C. Valente; T. Touret; J. Lança; A. R. Cruz; S. Martins; R. Nordin; T. Bacelar; L. Afonso; I. Afonso; A. A. Reis; C. Carvalhal; J. Lobo; R. Sá-Leão; ITQB NOVA COVID-19 Volunteer Working Group. "Preventing COVID-19 outbreaks through active screening of civil servants - A partnership between local government, a primary-care center and a research institute". Paper presented in Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2021). Lisboa, Portugal. November 23-26, 2021.
  14. Paulo, A. C.; J. Lança; S. T. Almeida; R. Sá-Leão. "Influence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, smoking status and contact with children on the upper respiratory tract microbiota of healthy adults". Paper presented in IV International Conference NOVAhealth Chronic Disease and Infection: Microbiota and Health. Lisboa, Portugal. October 22, 2021.
  15. Félix S.; S. Handem; S. Nunes; A. C. Paulo; C. Valente;, C. Candeias; A. S. Simões; S. T. Almeida; D. A. Tavares; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Impact of PCV13 private use on carriage of pneumococcal serotypes among children in an urban and rural region of Portugal". Paper presented in 15th Congress of The European Meningococcal and Haemophilus Disease Society (EMGM). Lisboa, Portugal. May 27, 2019.
  16. Félix S.; S. Handem; S. Nunes; A. C. Paulo; C. Valente; C. Candeias; A. S. Simões; S. T. Almeida; D. A. Tavares; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Private use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) has impacted on carriage of pneumococcal serotypes among Portuguese children". Paper presented in NOVAhealth IV Genetics Workshop. Lisboa, Portugal. March 21, 2019.
  17. Almeida, S. T.; F. Froes; C. Valente; A. C. Paulo;, H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Streptococcus pneumoniae asymptomatic carriage can last several months in the healthy immunocompetent adult host.". Paper presented in 11th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-11). Melbourne, Australia. March 15-19, 2018.
  18. Félix S.; S. Handem; S. Nunes; A. C. Paulo; C. Valente; C. Candeias; A. S. Simões; S. T. Almeida; D. A. Tavares; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Private use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) has impacted on pneumococcal carriage among Portuguese children.". Paper presented in 11th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-11). Melbourne, Australia. March 15-19, 2018.
  19. Almeida, S. T.; T. Pedro; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão.. "A new look on pneumococcal carriage in the elderly.". Paper presented in 3rd NOVAsaúde Genetics Workshop. Lisboa, Portugal. October 2, 2017.
    10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.pa1844
  20. Almeida, S. T.; F. Froes; C. Valente; A. C. Paulo; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Colonization dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae in smokers and non-smokers: insights from a longitudinal study.". Paper presented in 3rd NOVAsaúde Genetics Workshop. Lisboa, Portugal. October 2, 2017.
    10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.pa1877
  21. Félix, S.; S. Handem; S. Nunes; A. C. Paulo;, C. Valente; A. S. Simões; S. T. Almeida; D. A. Tavares; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on pneumococcal carriage among portuguese children - part I: serotype distribution.". Paper presented in European Meeting on the molecular Biology of the Pneumococcus (Europneumo 2017). Stockholm, Sweden. June 27-30, 2017.
  22. Handem, S.; S. Félix; S. Nunes; A. C. Paulo; C. Valente; A. S. Simões; S. T. Almeida; D. A. Tavares; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on pneumococcal carriage among portuguese children - part II: antibiotic non-susceptibility.". Paper presented in XIII European Meeting on the molecular Biology of the Pneumococcus (Europneumo 20). Stockholm, Sweden. June 27-30, 2017.
  23. S. T. Almeida; Froes, F.; C. Valente; A. C. Paulo; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão.. "A longitudinal study into the colonization dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the adult host: Preliminary results.". Paper presented in 10th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases. Glasgow, Scotland. June 26-30, 2016.
  24. Almeida, S. T.; F. Froes; C. Valente; A. C. Paulo; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "A longitudinal study into the colonization dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the adult host: Preliminary results.". Paper presented in II Workshop de Genética NOVAsaúde. Lisboa, Portugal. May 30, 2016.
  25. Froes, F.; S. T. Almeida; C. Valente; A. C. Paulo; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Dynamics of carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults living in Portugal: a longitudinal study.". Paper presented in American Thoracic Society International Conference (ATS 2016). San Francisco, USA. May 13-18, 2016.
  26. Almeida, S. T.; F. Froes; C. Valente; A. C. Paulo; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão.. "Dynamics of carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults living in Portugal: a longitudinal study.". Paper presented in Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2015). Évora, Portugal. December 10-12, 2015.
  27. Félix S.; S. Nunes; C. Valente; A. C. Paulo; A. S. Simões; S. T. Almeida; D. A. Tavares; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Penicillin and erythromycin resistance among pneumococci carried by young children in Portugal: evolution over a 15-year period.". Paper presented in XII European Meeting on the Molecular Biology of the Pneumococcus (Europneumo 2015). Oxford, United Kingdom. July 7 - 10, 2015.
  28. Almeida, S. T.; S. Nunes; A. C. Paulo; I. Valadares; S. Martins; F. Breia; A. Brito-Avô; A. Morais; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "The PneumoEL project: pneumococcal carriage among the elderly living in Portugal, final results.". Paper presented in 9th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-9). Hyderabad, India. March 9-13, 2014.
  29. Nunes S.; S. Félix; C. Valente; A. C. Paulo; A. S. Simões; S. T. Almeida; D. A. Tavares, A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Evolution over a 17-year period of serotypes carried by young children in Portugal, a country with widespread use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (1996-2012).". Paper presented in 9th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-9). Hyderabad, India. March 9-13, 2014.
  30. Félix S.; S. Nunes; C. Valente; A. S. Simões; D. A. Tavares; S. T. Almeida; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Update on the epidemiology of serotype 6C carried by young children in Oeiras (2009-2012).". Paper presented in Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2013). Aveiro, Portugal. December 6-8, 2013.
    10.26678/abcm.conem2018.con18-0516
  31. Almeida, S. T.; S. Nunes; I. Valadares; S. Martins; F. Breia; A. Brito-Avô; A. Morais; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "The PneumoEL project: epidemiology of pneumococcal colonization among the elderly.". Paper presented in Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2011). Braga, Portugal. December 1-3, 2011.
  32. Nunes S.;; S. T. Almeida; I. Valadares; S. Martins; F. Breia; A. Brito-Avô; A. Morais,; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Prevalence and characteristics of pneumococci colonizing adults older than 60 years in Portugal: the PneumoEL project.". Paper presented in 21th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID). Milan, Italy. May 7-10, 2011.
Journal article
  1. Candeias, C.*; S. T. Almeida*; A. C. Paulo*; A. S. Simões; B. Ferreira; A. R. Cruz; M. Queirós; et al. "Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage, serotypes, genotypes, and antimicrobial resistance trends among children in Portugal, after introduction of PCV13 in National Immunization Program: A cross-sectional study". Vaccine 42 22 (2024): 126219. *These authors contribute equally to the work.
    Published • 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126219
  2. Paulo, A. Cristina; J. Lança; S. T. Almeida; M. Hilty; R. Sá-Leão. "The upper respiratory tract microbiota of healthy adults is affected by Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage, smoking habits, and contact with children". Microbiome 2;11(1):19 (2023):
    Published • 10.1186/s40168-023-01640-9
  3. Miellet, Willem R.*; S. T. Almeida.*; K. Trzcinski,; R. Sá-Leão. "Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage studies in adults: Importance, challenges, and key issues to consider when using quantitative PCR-based approaches". Frontiers in Microbiology 14:1122276 (2023): *These authors contribute equally to the work.
    Published • 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1122276
  4. Almeida, Sónia T.; A. C. Paulo; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Evaluation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in the Elderly in Portugal Using Selective Enrichment Followed by Quantitative Real-Time PCR". Microbial Drug Resistance 28 5 (2022): 585-592.
    Published • 10.1089/mdr.2021.0383
  5. Félix S.; S. Handem; S. Nunes; A. C. Paulo; C. Valente; C. Candeias; A. S. Simões; S. T. Almeida; D. A. Tavares; A. Brito-Avô; H. de Lencastre; and R. Sá-Leão. "Impact of private use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on pneumococcal carriage among Portuguese children living in urban and rural regions". Vaccine 39 32 (2021): 4524-4533.
    Published • 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.06.035
  6. Almeida, Sónia T.; A. C. Paulo; J. Babo; J. Borralho; C. Figueiredo; B. Gonçalves; J. Lança; et al. "Absence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization among immunocompetent healthy adults: Insights from a longitudinal study". PLOS ONE 16 6 (2021): e0253739.
    Published • 10.1371/journal.pone.0253739
  7. Almeida, Sónia T.; A. C. Paulo; F. Froes; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Dynamics of pneumococcal carriage in adults: a new look at an old paradigm". The Journal of Infectious Diseases 20 223(9) (2020): 1590-1600.
    Published • 10.1093/infdis/jiaa558
  8. Almeida, Sónia T.; T. Pedro; A. C. Paulo; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Re-evaluation of Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage in Portuguese elderly by qPCR increases carriage estimates and unveils an expanded pool of serotypes". Scientific Reports 10 1 (2020):
    Published • 10.1038/s41598-020-65399-x
  9. Nunes, S.; S. Félix; C. Valente; A. S. Simões; D. A. Tavares; S. T. Almeida; A. C. Paulo; et al. "The impact of private use of PCV7 in 2009 and 2010 on serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae carried by young children in Portugal: Comparison with data obtained since 1996 generating a 15-year study prior to PCV13 introduction". Vaccine 34 14 (2016): 1648-1656.
    Published • 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.02.045
  10. Almeida, Sónia T.; S. Nunes; A. C. Paulo; N. A. Faria; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Prevalence, risk factors, and epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carried by adults over 60 years of age". European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases 34 3 (2014): 593-600.
    Published • 10.1007/s10096-014-2267-8
  11. Almeida, Sónia T*.; S. Nunes*; A. C. Paulo; I. Valadares; S. Martins; F. Breia; A. Brito-Avô; et al. "Low prevalence of pneumococcal carriage and high serotype and genotype diversity among adults over 60 years of age living in Portugal". PLoS ONE 9 3 (2014): e90974. *These authors contribute equally to the work.
    Published • 10.1371/journal.pone.0090974
  12. Almeida, Sónia T.; H. de Lencastre; R. Sá-Leão. "Epidemiology and Population Structure of Serotypes 1, 5 and 7F Carried by Children in Portugal from 1996-2010 before Introduction of the 10-Valent and 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines". PLoS ONE 8 9 (2013): e75442.
    Published • 10.1371/journal.pone.0075442
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. Almeida, Sónia T. "Dynamics of bacterial colonization in the upper respiratory tract of the adult host.". PhD, Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, 2020.
  2. Almeida, Sónia T. "Estudo da etiologia do autismo utilizando as técnicas de FISH e MLPA.". Master, Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, 2009.
  3. Almeida, Sónia T. "Tecnologias em Citogenética: Aplicabilidade naEtiologia do Autismo". Degree, Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, 2007.
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2022/05/31 The upper respiratory tract microbiota of healthy adults is affected by Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage, smoking habits and contact with children (Presented by J. Lança) 15th European Meeting on the Molecular Biology of the Pneumococcus - Europneumo 2022
(Liverpool, United Kingdom)
2021/11/23 Pneumococcal colonization, smoking status and contact with children influence the upper respiratory tract microbiota of healthy adults (Presented by J. Lança) Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2021)
Sociedade Portuguesa de Microbiologia (Lisboa, Portugal) (Lisboa, Portugal)
2020/09/25 A partnership between local government, a primary-care center and a research institute to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks through active screening of civil servants in a Portuguese municipality (Presented by A. S. Simões). ESCMID Conference on Coronavirus Disease (ECVVID)
2018/02/23 Estudo longitudinal da dinâmica de colonização de Streptococcus pneumoniae em adultos fumadores e não fumadores. V workshop NovaSaúde-DGS. Lisboa, Portugal. (Presented by R. Sá-Leão). V workshop NovaSaúde-DGS
Universidade Nova, Lisboa
2018/02/23 Reavaliação da prevalência de colonização de Streptococcus pneumoniae em adultos com mais de 60 anos por PCR em tempo real. (Presented by R. Sá-Leão). V workshop NovaSaúde-DGS.
Universidade Nova, Lisboa
2017/12 Streptococcus pneumoniae asymptomatic carriage can last several months in the adult host. (Presented by S. T. Almeida). Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2017)
Sociedade Portuguesa de Microbiologia (Porto, Portugal)
2017/12 The impact of private use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on pneumococcal carriage among Portuguese children. (Presented by S. Handem). Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2017)
Sociedade Portuguesa de Microbiologia (Porto, Portugal)
2014/03 Epidemiology of serotype 6C carried by young Portuguese children between 2009 and 2012. (Presented by S. Félix). 9th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-9)
Hyderabad, India
2013/12 Low Prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage among the elderly in Portugal. (Presented by S. T. Almeida) Congresso Nacional de Microbiologia e Biotecnologia (MICROBIOTEC 2013)
Sociedade Portuguesa de Microbiologia (Aveiro, Portugal)
2013/09 Low prevalence of pneumococcal carriage and high serotype and genotype. (Presented by S. T. Almeida) 53rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC)
Denver, CO
2013/05 Molecular epidemiology of serotypes 1, 5 and 7F carried by children in Portugal from 1996-2010. (Presented by S. T. Almeida). 11th European Meeting on the Molecular Biology of the Pneumococcus
Madrid, Spain
2012/03 The pneumoEL project: Pneumococcal colonization among the elderly in Portugal. (Presented by S. Nunes). 8th International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-8)
Iguaçu Falls, Brazil
2011/11 Pneumococcal colonization in the elderly in Portugal. (Presented by S. T. Almeida) 10th European Meeting on the Molecular Biology of the Pneumococcus.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2009/11 FISHing in Autism with MLPA. (Presented by A. Mascarenhas). 13ª Reunião anual da Sociedade Portuguesa de Genética Humana
Sociedade Portuguesa de Genética Humana (Porto, Portugal)

Supervision

Thesis Title
Role 		Degree Subject (Type)
Institution / Organization
2024/03/01 - 2024/05/31 Isolation and characterization of pneumococci recovered from healthy pre-school children
Co-supervisor
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Portugal
2019/09 - 2021/02/01 Upper respiratory tract microbiota dynamics in healthy adults colonized with Streptococcus pneumoniae: a longitudinal study. Since September 2019.
Co-supervisor
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Portugal
2019/02 - 2019/06 A metagenomic analysis: nasopharynx and oropharynx microbiota of adults.
Co-supervisor
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Portugal
2018/09 - 2018/12 Identification and serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples from adults aged over 60 years old by real-time PCR.
Co-supervisor
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2018/02 - 2018/06 Prevalência de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes à meticilina em adultos saudáveis.
Co-supervisor
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2015/10 - 2016/06 Determinação de serótipos de Streptococcus pneumoniae numa colecção de isolados de colonização obtidos de uma população de adultos saudáveis.
Co-supervisor
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2014/09 - 2015/12 Ecological niches of Streptococcus pneumoniae revisited: insights based on novel-molecular diagnostic tools.
Co-supervisor
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2014/01 - 2014/02 Detecção de Haemophilus influenzae através de PCR multiplex em adultos com mais de 60 anos.
Co-supervisor
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2012/10 - 2012/12 Pesquisa de portadores de Staphylococcus aureus resistentes à meticilina em crianças a frequentar infantários.
Co-supervisor
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal

Event participation

Activity description
Type of event 		Event name
Institution / Organization
2024/10/18 - 2024/10/18 Career Management Skills for Early Stage Researchers
Workshop
 Career Management Skills
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Portugal
2024/09/30 - 2024/10/01 Grant Writing Course
Workshop
 Grant Writing Course
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Portugal
2024/09/25 - 2024/09/25 Workshop on Identify your Skills, CV & Cover Letter
Workshop
 Identify your Skills, CV & Cover Letter
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Portugal
2023/05/13 - 2023/05/13 Participation in ITQB Open Day
Exhibition
 ITQB Open Day
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2021/05/30 - 2021/05/30 Participation in ITQB Open Day
Exhibition
 ITQB Open Day
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2020/01/22 - 2020/01/24 Oral presentation at ITQB NOVA PhD Students´ Meeting Organized by the students, this meeting is an opportunity for ITQB NOVA PhD students to present and discuss their work amongst each other and with other ITQB NOVA scientists.
Meeting
 10th ITQB NOVA PhD Students´ Meeting
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2019/09/17 - 2019/09/17 Participation in Microorganism day
Exhibition
 International Microorganism Day
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2018/07/11 - 2018/09/11 Participation in ITQB NOVA PhD Students´ Meeting. Organized by the students, this meeting is an opportunity for ITQB NOVA PhD students to present and discuss their work amongst each other and with other ITQB NOVA scientists.
Meeting
 9th ITQB NOVA PhD Students´ Meeting
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2017/11/15 - 2017/11/17 Poster presentation at ITQB NOVA PhD Students´ Meeting. Organized by the students, this meeting is an opportunity for ITQB NOVA PhD students to present and discuss their work amongst each other and with other ITQB NOVA scientists.
Meeting
 8th ITQB NOVA PhD Students´ Meeting
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2017/05/02 - 2017/05/05 Research skills development course
Workshop
 Research skills development course
NOVA Doctoral School, Portugal
2016/11/23 - 2016/11/25 Participation in ITQB NOVA PhD Students´ Meetingin Organized by the students, this meeting is an opportunity for ITQB NOVA PhD students to present and discuss their work amongst each other and with other ITQB NOVA scientists.
Meeting
 7th ITQB NOVA PhD Students´ Meeting
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2016/11/14 - 2016/11/15 Design and implementation of longitudinal studies course
Workshop
 Design and implementation of longitudinal studies
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Portugal
2016/10/14 - 2016/10/15 Workshop + Saliva Camp (Research and Innovation in Saliva Applications)
Workshop
 Workshop + Saliva Camp (Research and Innovation in Saliva Applications)
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Instituto de Ciências da Saúde Viseu, Portugal
2015 - 2015 Participation in ITQB Open Day
Exhibition
 ITQB Open Day
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2013 - 2013 Participation in ITQB Open Day
Exhibition
 ITQB Open Day
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2011 - 2011 Participation in ITQB Open Day
Exhibition
 ITQB Open Day
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal

Ad Hoc journal article review

Journal title (ISSN) Publisher
2024/05 - Current Frontiers in Pediatrics (2296-2360) Frontiers Media S.A
2020/06 - Current PLoS ONE (1932-6203) Public Library of Science

Course / Discipline taught

Academic session Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2024/04/02 - 2024/04/22 Assistant in the optional module of "Molecular Biology and Epidemiology of Gram-Positive Pathogenic Bacteria" Master in Medical Microbiology (Mestrado) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2023/04/11 - 2023/04/27 Assistant in the optional module of "Molecular Biology and Epidemiology of Gram-Positive Pathogenic Bacteria" Master in Medical Microbiology (Mestrado) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2018/04/09 - 2018/04/26 Assistant in the optional module of "Molecular Biology and Epidemiology of Gram-Positive Pathogenic Bacteria" Master in Medical Microbiology (Mestrado) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2016/04/13 - 2016/05/02 Assistant in the optional module of "Molecular Biology and Epidemiology of Gram-Positive Pathogenic Bacteria" Master in Medical Microbiology (Mestrado) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2014/05/05 - 2014/05/20 Assistant in the optional module of "Molecular Biology and Epidemiology of Gram-Positive Pathogenic Bacteria" Master in Medical Microbiology (Mestrado) Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal

Other jury / evaluation

Activity description Institution / Organization
2025/01/22 - 2025/01/22 Member of the evaluation panel of the scholarship 078/BI/2024 under the framework of the project "“PneumoFAM - Intergenerational transmission dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae within families”. Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2024/11/28 - 2024/11/28 Member of the evaluation panel of the scholarship 055/BI/2024 under the framework of the project "PneumoY4 - Impact of universal use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in the pediatric population in Portugal.” Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2024/10/25 - 2024/10/25 Member of the evaluation panel of the scholarship 056/BI/2024 under the framework of the project "PneumoY4 - Impact of universal use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in the pediatric population in Portugal." Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Portugal
2023/04/14 - 2023/04/14 Member of the evaluation panel of the scholarship 037/BI/2023 under the framework of the project "PneumoY3 - Effect of universal use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumococcal colonization: a study following several years of use of PCVs in the private market in Portugal." Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2022/01/04 - 2022/01/04 Member of the jury panel of candidates to a scholarship under the framework of the project "STOP-COVID - Strategies to prevent COVID-19 by early detection of asymptomatic carriers at increased risk: epidemiological studies and validation of a rapid in-house diagnostic test." Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2020/07 - 2020/07 Member of the evaluation panel of the scholarship 006/BI/2020 under the framework of the project "PneumoY3 - Effect of universal use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumococcal colonization: a study following several years of use of PCVs in the private market in Portugal." Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2020/07 - 2020/07 Member of the evaluation panel of the scholarship 007/BI/2020 under the framework of the project "PneumoY3 - Effect of universal use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumococcal colonization: a study following several years of use of PCVs in the private market in Portugal." Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
Distinctions

Award

2024 ESCMID Research Grant 2024
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal

Other distinction

2024 Bolsa de incentivo “Impulso Adultos” do PRR
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Portugal
2021 Core team member of a recently funded project - STOP-COVID: Strategies to prevent COVID-19 by early detection of asymptomatic carriers at increased risk: epidemiological studies and validation of a rapid in-house diagnostic test
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2020 Research Grant (BI) (WI230921), 2014, by ITQB NOVA. From January 2014 to December 2015.
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2016 PhD fellowship (SFRH/BD/108380/2015), 2015, by FCT. From January 2016 to December 2019.
Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal
2015 Research Grant (BI) (WI1836), 2014, by ITQB NOVA. From January 2014 to December 2015.
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2014 Travel Grant, 2014, by TRANSBIO SUDOE. From 21 to 25 July 2014.
TRANSBIO SUDOE, Portugal
2011 Research Grant (BI) (0887X1-4629), 2011, by ITQB NOVA. From April 2011 to December 2013.
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Portugal
2011 Research Grant (BI) (PTDC/BIA-BEC/098289/2008), 2010, FCT. From April 2010 to April 2011.
Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal