Research Interests

Biophysics, structural biochemistry, membrane remodeling, lipid model membranes, DNA origami, protein/peptide/DNA-lipid interactions, atomic force microscopy, fluorescence microscopy/spectroscopy

Education & Research Experience

Since 2012	Postdoctoral researcher, Cellular and Molecular Biophysics Department (Prof. Petra Schwille), Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Martinsried, Germany
2007 - 2012	PhD in Biomedical Sciences (summa cum laude), Physical Biochemistry lab (Prof. Miguel Castanho), Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Fac. Medicine Uni. Lisbon (FMUL), Portugal Dissertation: The role of lipid membranes in the mechanism of action of sifuvirtide and other HIV-1 fusion inhibitors (Advisor: Prof. Miguel Castanho; Co-advisor: Prof. Nuno Santos)
2003 - 2007	Degree in Biochemistry (Licentiate; honored with merit grants) Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal Thesis: Lipid membranes as a key factor for the efficacy of the HIV-1 fusion inhibitor sifuvirtide (Advisor: Prof. Miguel Castanho)

Awards

2018	MPIB Junior Scientists’ Publication Award (JPSA), Martinsried, Germany
2017	Best Poster Award, EBSA/IUPAB Congress, Edinburgh
2016	CeNS Best Interdisciplinary Publication Award, CeNS, Munich
2013 - 2015	Alexander von Humboldt Postdoc Research Fellowship, AvH Stiftung
2011	Finalist of COHiTEC entrepreneurship program (member of team), COTEC & ISCTE, Portugal
2010	Winner of Idea-2-Product Portugal (member of team), COTEC, Portugal
2010	2nd place Idea-2-Product Europe (member of team), RWTH Aachen, Germany
2010	Best YSF Oral Presentation Award, IUBMB Congress, Melbourne, Australia
2009	Best Poster Award, EBSA Congress, Genoa, Italy
2008 - 2011	FCT Doctoral Fellowship, FCT Portugal
2008	BES Award (for best graduate students), Fac. Sciences Univ. Lisbon