Advancing
Clinical Neuroscience through
Medical Research
ABOUT
"The medic that only knows medicine, not even medicine knows..."
Prof. Abel Salazar
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I am a medical doctor currently working as a medical researcher in clinical neuroscience (Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London & NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre).
I have completed general medical training in Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (MD) - Portugal, followed by further training in clinical research at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London (PhD) - UK.
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The main motivation of my work is to improve global health through medical science and education within both the academic and private sectors.
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If you would like to connect or simply discuss my past and current work, feel free to get in touch.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The ultimate goal of my research work is to advance our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders and improve the treatment, diagnosis and prognosis of these patients through neuroimaging research.
1. Molecular neuroimaging
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"Virtual histology" of Neuroimaging biomarkers
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The integration of MRI data with transcriptomic data of regional gene expression in the postmortem human brain (Allen Brain Atlas) has opened new avenues to explore among candidate molecular and cellular pathways underlying Neuroimaging biomarkers of brain disease, treatment effects, etc. Part of my work aims to apply this approach to advance our understanding of different Neuroimaging phenotypes, such as structural alterations in patients with chronic pain or eating disorders.
Key collaborators: Dr. Mattia Veronese; Dr. Ottavia Dipasquale; Prof. Federico Turkheimer; Prof. Steve Williams
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Functional Neuroimaging biomarkers informed by molecular data
Functional MRI relies on measurements of the BOLD signal in the brain, which although related to is not specific for any specific neurotransmission system. This lack of specificity poses limitations to the amount of information one can derive from functional MRI biomarkers to inform models of disease mechanisms or identification of pharmacological targets for drug development or repurposing. The introduction of new analytical approaches leveraging molecular information from other imaging modalities (such REACT) has brought new opportunities to advance Neuroimaging biomarkers based on functional MRI. I am interested in exploring the potential of this approach to answer clinically relevant questions, such as treatment response prediction.
Key collaborators: Dr. Ottavia Dipasquale; Dr. Mattia Veronese; Prof. Federico Turkheimer; Prof. Mara Cercignani
2. Neuropsychopharmacology and treatment development (Intranasal oxytocin)
Intranasal oxytocin has been suggested as a potential innovative treatment for a number of brain disorders. I have a keen interest in the basic neuropsychopharmacology of intranasal oxytocin and its potential clinical applications in patients with impairments in social cognition, feeding behaviour and metabolism.
Key collaborators: Dr. Yannis Paloyelis; Prof. Janet Treasure; Dr. Paolo Fusar-Poli; Dr. Cathy Davies; Dr. Patricia Lockwood
Effects of route of administration on oxytocin-induced changes in regional cerebral blood flow in humans
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Martins et al. (2020), Nature Communications
SKILLS AND MAIN ASSETS
1. Academic excellence
2. Direct experience in both clinical and research environments
3. Hands-on experience in most of the big areas of data science
4. Proficient with narrative and quantitative synthesis of medical evidence (meta-analysis)
5. Familiar with several statistical softwares and basic coding skills (R, Matlab)
6. Proven writing skills and confident with public presentations
7. Team worker and easy-bonding, with teaching and supervision experience
8. Energetic, creative and goal-driven
9. Proficient in English, with work experience in highly international and multicultural environments
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