Sofia Melo Pereira (3715-08D4-DFEF)

Curriculum Vitae

Sofia Melo Pereira

Sofia Melo Pereira is a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Physiology, currently self-employed and learning programming languages, such as Python (Data Science, Pandas, NumPy, Web Scraping), HTML and CSS (web development). She is experienced in scientific project management with a strong cell/molecular biology background and multidisciplinary training: aging, cell cycle, human genetics, stem cells, biomaterial science and developmental biology. In the past years, Sofia has worked as a researcher in biomedical sciences with focus on finding alternative therapeutic approaches to improve quality of late life in elderly people by delaying the onset of age-related diseases. Previous to post-doctoral research, Sofia was the scientific communication manager at CGC Genetics (Porto, PT), responsible for all written scientific communication in the company and the Science and Technological Manager in a Marie Curie ITN (University of Liverpool, UK) and taught as a University demonstrator in courses such as Biostatistics, Animal Physiology and Basic Laboratory.

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Identification

Personal identification

Full name: Sofia Melo Pereira
Date of birth: 1987/06/03
Gender: Female

Citation names

Pereira, SM

Author identifiers

Ciência ID: 3715-08D4-DFEF
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8335-846X

Email addresses

spereira@ibmc.up.pt (Professional)

Telephones

Telephone

220408800 (Professional)

Addresses

i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação da Universidade do Porto. Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135, Porto, Porto, Portugal (Professional)

Knowledge fields

Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Cell Biology
Medical and Health Sciences - Medical Biotechnology - Gene-based Diagnostics and Therapeutic Interventions
Medical and Health Sciences - Medical Biotechnology - Technologies Involving the Manipulation of Cells, Tissues, Organs or the Whole Organism
Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Molecular Biology
Medical and Health Sciences - Basic Medicine - Human Genetics

Languages

Language	Speaking	Reading	Writing	Listening	Peer-review
English	Proficiency (C2)	Proficiency (C2)	Proficiency (C2)	Proficiency (C2)
Portuguese	Proficiency (C2)	Proficiency (C2)	Proficiency (C2)	Proficiency (C2)

Education

	Degree	Classification
2011/06/01 - 2015/04/01 Concluded	PhD Programme in Cellular and Molecular Physiology (Doctor of Philosophy) University of Liverpool Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, United Kingdom "Magnetic reporter genes for MRI-based stem cell tracking" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	n/a
2011 Concluded	Biotecnologia para as Ciências da Saúde (Mestrado integrado) Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal "Development of models to determine dynamic GNE expression in vivo to aid resolution of sialic acid dysfunction associated with Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	17 (de 20)
2008 Concluded	Genética e Biotecnologia (Licenciatura) Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal "Regenerative Medicine – Periodontal Ligament Engineering " (THESIS/DISSERTATION)	14 (de 20)

Affiliation

Science

	Category Host institution	Employer
2018/06/15 - 2019/12/31	Postdoc (Research)	Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal

2016/12/01 - 2018/05/31	Postdoc (Research)	Universidade do Porto Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Portugal

2011/06/01 - 2015/04/01	Research Trainee (Research)	University of Liverpool Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, United Kingdom

2012/03/01 - 2014/09/01	Science and Technology Management	University of Liverpool Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, United Kingdom

2009/09/15 - 2011/02/01	Research Trainee (Research)	Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Portugal

2008/05/01 - 2008/07/31	Research Trainee (Research)	Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics, Portugal

Teaching in Higher Education

	Category Host institution	Employer
2012/12/01 - 2013/12/31	Tutor (University Teacher)	University of Liverpool School of Health Sciences, United Kingdom

Others

	Category Host institution	Employer
2015/04/01 - 2016/06/01	Science Communication Manager	CGC Genetics Centro de Genética Clínica, Portugal

2007/08/01 - 2007/08/31	Summer Traineeship Clinical & Diagnostic Human Cytogenetics	Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal

Projects

Grant

	Designation	Funders
2018/06/15 - 2019/12/31	Assessing the role of FoxM1 repression in age-associated mitotic phenotypes PTDC/BEX-BCM/2090/2014 Post-doc Universidade do Porto Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal	Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Ongoing
2016/12/01 - 2018/05/31	Adaptive potential of aneuploidy in cancer NORTE-01-0145- FEDER-000029 – Research line 2 Post-doc Universidade do Porto Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Portugal Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal	European Commission - H2020 Concluded
2015/04 - 2016/06	Internacionalização CGC Genetics - Consolidação de mercados actuais e Novos Mercados (China, Macau e Rússia) POCI-02-0752-FEDER-007806 NORTE-01-0145- FEDER-000029 – Research line 2 Science and Technology Management Fellow CGC Genetics Centro de Genética Clínica, Portugal	Portugal 2020 Concluded

Contract

	Designation	Funders
2011/06/01 - 2015/04/01	Magnetic reporter genes for MRI-based cell tracking PERG08-GA-2010-276909 PhD Student Fellow University of Liverpool, Institute of Translational Medicine, United Kingdom	University of Liverpool, Institute of Translational Medicine EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Concluded
2012/03/01 - 2014/09/30	The potential of human kidney stem/progenitor cells for use in drug discovery and regenerative therapy programmes. \| FP7 Initial Training Network: “NephroTools” "NephroTools" Science and Technology Management Fellow University of Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, United Kingdom	European Commission Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development People EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Concluded

Outputs

Publications

Conference abstract	Pereira, Sofia. "Disease exome, a powerful diagnostic tool: post-mortem diagnosis of dyskeratosis congenita (P03.39)". Paper presented in European Human Genetics Conference 2016, Barcelona, 2016. Published Pereira, Sofia. "A case report of 6p25p22 duplication associated with BOFs clinical features (P11.022)". Paper presented in European Human Genetics Conference 2016, Barcelona, 2016. Published Pereira, Sofia. "Intragenic CASK deletion found in mosaicism in a female patient (P11.080)". Paper presented in European Human Genetics Conference 2016, Barcelona, 2016. Published Pereira, Sofia. "A Case Report of Parental Transmission of Koolen-De Vries Syndrome". Paper presented in American College of Medical Genetics 2016, Tampa, Florida, 2016. Published Pereira, Sofia. "Are reporter genes feasible for the MRI Tracking of Stem Cells?". Paper presented in Future Investigators Regenerative Medicine (FIRM) Conference, Girona, 2013. Published
Conference poster	Pereira, Sofia. "A Case Report of Parental Transmission of Koolen-De Vries Syndrome.". Paper presented in American College of Medical Genetics, Florida, USA, 2016. Pereira, Sofia. "A case report of 6p25p22 duplication associated with BOFs clinical features.". Paper presented in European Society of Human Genetics, Barcelona, Spain, 2016. Pereira, Sofia. "Intragenic CASK deletion found in mosaicism in a female patient.". Paper presented in European Society of Human Genetics, Barcelona, Spain, 2016. Pereira, Sofia. "Disease exome, a powerful diagnostic tool: post-mortem diagnosis of dyskeratosis congenita". Paper presented in European Society of Human Genetics, Barcelona, Spain, 2016. Pereira, Sofia. "A placenta gemelar: corionicidade e tipo de inserção dos cordões.". Paper presented in Associação Portuguesa de Diagnóstico Pré-Natal, Lisboa, Portugal, 2015. Pereira, Sofia. "Array CGH em Diagnóstico Pré-Natal.". Paper presented in Associação Portuguesa de Diagnóstico Pré-Natal, Lisboa, Portugal, 2015. Pereira, Sofia. "A case report of Parental Transmission of Koolen-de Vries Syndrome.". Paper presented in Sociedade Portuguesa de Genética Humana, Porto, Portugal, 2015. Pereira, Sofia. "A Autópsia Fetal no Estudo dos Defeitos Cardíacos Congénitos.". Paper presented in Sociedade Portuguesa de Obstetrícia e Medicina Materno-Fetal, Coimbra, Portugal, 2015. Pereira, Sofia. "Magnetic reporter system for MRI tracking of cells.". Paper presented in University of Liverpool and University of Manchester Inter-University Physiology and Cell Biology Postgraduate Symposium, Liverpool UK, 2014. Pereira, SM. "Are reporter genes feasible for the MRI Tracking of Stem Cells? (Poster 5)". Paper presented in 1st NephroTools International Conference, The Kidney: Development, Disease and Novel Therapies., Liverpool UK, 2013. 10.11159/icnb16.102 Pereira, Sofia. "MRI Tracking of “Magnetic” Stem Cells.". Paper presented in University Poster Day 2013, University of Liverpool, UK, 2013. Pereira, Sofia. "Ferritin and MagA as reporter genes for MRI tracking of Stem Cells.". Paper presented in Life Sciences PhD Conference, University of Manchester, UK, 2013. Pereira, Sofia. "Are reporter genes feasible for MRI tracking of Stem Cells? (BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE POSTER AWARD)". Paper presented in Symposium on Nanoparticle-based Technologies for Cell Tracking, University of Liverpool, UK, 2013. Pereira, Sofia. "Are reporter genes feasible for the MRI Tracking of Stem Cells?". Paper presented in 4rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Mercia Stem Alliance, Keele University, UK, 2013. Pereira, Sofia. "Reporter genes for the MRI Tracking of Stem Cells. (Poster 34)". Paper presented in University of Liverpool and University of Manchester Inter-University Physiology and Cell Biology Postgraduate Symposium, Liverpool UK, 2012. Pereira, Sofia. "MagA – A potential or a restraint reporter gene for MRI tracking of stem cells?". Paper presented in 3rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Mercia Stem Alliance, University of Nottingham, UK, 2012. Pereira, Sofia. "Reporter genes for the MRI Tracking of Stem Cells.". Paper presented in 2nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Mercia Stem Alliance, University of Manchester UK, 2011.
Journal article	Pereira, SM; Ribeiro, R; Logarinho, E. "Approaches towards longevity: reprogramming, senolysis and improved mitotic competence as anti-aging therapies". International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2019): https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/4/938. Open access • Published Mournetas, V; Pereira, SM; Fernig, DG; Murray, P. "A descriptive guide for absolute quantification of produced shRNA pseudotyped lentiviral particles by real-time PCR". Journal of Biological Methods 3 4 (2016): http://dx.doi.org/10.14440/jbm.2016.142. Open access • Published • 10.14440/jbm.2016.142 Pereira, SM; Williams, SR; Murray, P; Taylor, A. "MS-1 magA: Revisiting Its Efficacy as a Reporter Gene for MRI". Molecular Imaging 15 (2016): http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1536012116641533. Open access • Published • 10.1177/1536012116641533 Pereira, SM; Herrmann, A; Moss, D; Poptani, Harish; Williams, SR; Murray, P; Taylor, A. "Evaluating the effectiveness of transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1) as a magnetic resonance reporter gene". Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging 11 3 (2016): 236-244. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cmmi.1686. Open access • Published • 10.1002/cmmi.1686 Nogueira, R; Pinto-Ribeiro, F; Pereira, SM; Valente, F. "Macroscopic and Histopathological Study of the Placenta - An Essential Resource in Litigation Processes". Journal of Clinical Research & Bioethics 06 06 (2015): http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-9627.1000247. Open access • Published • 10.4172/2155-9627.1000247 Pereira, SM; Moss, D; Williams, SR; Murray, P; Taylor, A. "Overexpression of the MRI Reporter Genes Ferritin and Transferrin Receptor Affect Iron Homeostasis and Produce Limited Contrast in Mesenchymal Stem Cells". International Journal of Molecular Sciences 16 12 (2015): 15481-15496. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms160715481. Open access • Published • 10.3390/ijms160715481
Thesis / Dissertation	Pereira, Sofia. "Magnetic reporter genes for MRI-based stem cell tracking". PhD, University of Liverpool Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 2015. https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/2009422/. Pereira, Sofia. "Development of models to determine dynamic GNE expression in vivo to aid resolution of sialic acid dysfunction associated with Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy". Master, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10348/717.

Activities

Oral presentation

	Presentation title	Event name Host (Event location)
2017	Amelioration of Hutchison-Gilford Progeria Syndrome ageing hallmarks by transcriptional modulation	6th i3S Annual Meeting. Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto (Póvoa, Portugal)
2015	Magnetic reporter genes for MRI-based stem cell tracking	Pre-VIVA public presentation. University of Liverpool, Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology (Liverpool, United Kingdom)
2014	Lentiviral approaches to knock-in and knock-down genes of interest	1st Young Investigators Workshop of MSCA Mercia Stem Cell Alliance (Liverpool, United Kingdom)
2013	Are reporter genes feasible for the MRI Tracking of Stem Cells?	Future Investigators Regenerative Medicine (FIRM) Symposium (Girona, Spain)
2013	Ferritin and MagA as reporter genes for the MRI Tracking of Stem Cells.	17th Annual Nephrogenesis Workshop University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
2012	Limitations of MagA as a reporter gene for MRI tracking of Stem Cells	Annual Postgraduate Seminars University of Liverpool, Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology (Liverpool, United Kingdom)
2011	Development of models to determine dynamic GNE expression in vivo to aid resolution of sialic acid dysfunction associated with HIBM.	Master Pre-Defence Presentation Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Altou Douro (Vila Real, Portugal)

Supervision

	Thesis Title Role	Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2017/12/01 - 2018/01/01	Amelioration of HGPS aging hallmarks by cyclic induction of FoxM1 transcriptional activity Co-supervisor of Rui Oliveira	Medicine (Degree) Universidade do Algarve Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Portugal
2017/05/01 - 2017/06/30	Ascertain FOXM1 role in modulation of epigenetic alterations in HGPS Co-supervisor of Bibiana Silva	Master of Science (MSc) Student in Cellular and Molecular Biology (Master) Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
2014/04/01 - 2014/06/30	Investigating the effect of MagA as a reporter gene on HEK 293TN Supervisor of Maria Christofi	Masters of Research (MRes) Student in Biomedical Sciences – Molecular and Cellular Physiology. (Master) University of Liverpool School of Health Sciences, United Kingdom
2014/01/01 - 2014/03/31	Effect of overexpressed effects of Transferrin Receptor-1 and MagA overexpressed genes on CHO K1 cells Supervisor of Maria Christofi	Masters of Research (MRes) Student in Biomedical Sciences – Molecular and Cellular Physiology. (Master) University of Liverpool School of Health Sciences, United Kingdom
2013/09/01 - 2013/12/31	Master-level project design and laboratory work supervision Supervisor of Zohra Butt	Masters of Research (MRes) Student in Biomedical Sciences – Molecular and Cellular Physiology (Master) University of Liverpool School of Health Sciences, United Kingdom

Event organisation

	Event name Type of event (Role)	Institution / Organization
2014/09/18 - 2014/09/19	Organized 1st MCSA Young Investigators Workshop - "Lentiviral approaches to knock-in and knock-down genes of interest" – Liverpool, UK (2014/09/18 - 2014/09/19) Workshop (Member of the Organising Committee)	University of Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, United Kingdom Mercia Stem Cell Alliance, United Kingdom
2014/09/18 - 2014/09/19	5th Annual meeting of Mercia Stem Cell Alliance This is a UK-based conferences, holding more than 200 delegates and 15 sponsoring parties (2014/09/18 - 2014/09/19) Conference (Member of the Organising Committee)	Mercia Stem Cell Alliance, United Kingdom University of Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, United Kingdom

Event participation

	Activity description Type of event	Event name Institution / Organization
2018/05/07 - 2018/05/18	Course in Laboratory Animal Science – FELASA, Category C Seminar	XXV Edition in Laboratory Animal Science Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2012/10/01 - 2012/12/31	Biotechnology Young Entrepreneurs Scheme Competition - "Biotech YES" International postgraduate training course and competition to create a business plan which is presented to a panel of Venture Capitalists, Patent Attorneys and Scientific Officers. Other	Biotechnology Young Entrepreneurs Scheme Competition - "Biotech YES" Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, United Kingdom
2012/10/01 - 2012/10/15	International Curie/UPMC Developmental Biology Course Seminar	International Curie/UPMC Developmental Biology Course Sorbonne Université Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, France

Association member

	Society Organization name	Role
2011/01/01 - 2014/12/31	British Society for Cell Biology	Member
2011/01/01 - 2014/12/31	British Society for Developmental Biology	Member

Consulting

	Activity description	Institution / Organization
2015/04/06 - 2016/06/01	International scientific written communication, such scientific marketing, publications (paper/poster/abstract), planning of international conference participation, workshop organization, application to calls and funding opportunities and scientific customer care support. Applying for funding outside academia provided me with experience in developing and managing schedules, identifying goals and tasks to be accomplished in a realistic timeline.	CGC Genetics Centro de Genética Clínica, Portugal
2012/03/01 - 2014/09/30	Project Administrator FP7 Initial Training Network NephroTools: "The potential of human kidney stem/progenitor cells for use in drug discovery and regenerative therapy programmes" As part of administrator of an EU Network, comprehending 12 academic and industrial partners, my main duties included on assisting with the recruitment of researchers, addressing applications to check eligibility criteria and requesting references as appropriate.	University of Liverpool Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, United Kingdom

Course / Discipline taught

	Academic session	Degree Subject (Type)	Institution / Organization
2012/12/01 - 2013/12/31	Basic Laboratory Skills	(Bachelor)	University of Liverpool School of Health Sciences, United Kingdom
2012/12/01 - 2013/12/31	Biostatistics	(Bachelor)	University of Liverpool School of Life Sciences, United Kingdom
2012/12/01 - 2013/12/31	Animal Physiology	(Bachelor)	University of Liverpool School of Life Sciences, United Kingdom

Mentoring / Tutoring

	Topic	Student name
2018/08/01 - 2018/08/31	Project design and laboratory work supervision	Rafaela Oliveira

Distinctions

Award

2013	Biomaterials Science Poster Award, Symposium on Nanoparticle-based Technologies for Cell Tracking University of Liverpool Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, United Kingdom
2013	Travel Grant Award by the British Society for Cell Biology British Society for Cell Biology, United Kingdom

Title

2013	University of Liverpool PhD Representative & Co-Founder Young Investigators Committee of Mercia Stem Cell Alliance (MSCA) University of Liverpool Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, United Kingdom Mercia Stem Cell Alliance, United Kingdom