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I have a Bachelor in Genetics and Biotechnology and a Master in Biotechnology for the Health Sciences. Currently, I'm a PhD student at the Biology of Reproduction and Stem Cells Research Group, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal. My current work focuses on the effects of antidepressants in male fertility. I have previously participated in 3 projects as a Research Fellow, 2 in the area of Biology of Reproduction and chemical contraception, and 1 in Neurosciences (Huntington's Disease). I am also a first co-author in a published scientific paper about the efficacy of benzalkonium chloride, myristalkonium chloride and nonoxynol-9 as active principles in vaginal contraceptives. I am also the author of a master thesis on the genotoxicity of of BPA in Drosophila Melanogaster, as well as its effects on their longevity and prolificacy. During my scientific journey, I have presented my work in several scientific meetings, either in the format of poster or oral communication. The most common terms in my CV are: Andrology, Male (in)fertility; Contraception; Biology of Reproduction; Reproductive Medicine; Toxicology; Molecular Biology; Genetics; Endocrine disruptors, drosophila melanogaster.
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Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Rita António Santos

Citation names

  • Santos, Rita
  • António-Santos, Rita
  • António Santos, Rita

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
4315-E0F1-DE4D
ORCID iD
0000-0003-1857-4240

Email addresses

  • rita.santos@cnc.uc.pt (Professional)

Addresses

  • Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC.IBILI). Sub Unit 1 of FMUC/IBILI, IIIUC, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas , 3004-548, Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal (Professional)

Knowledge fields

  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Reproductive Biology
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Genetics and Heredity
  • Medical and Health Sciences - Clinical Medicine - Andrology
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Molecular Biology
  • Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Biology

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
Portuguese Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2) Proficiency (C2)
English Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1)
Spanish; Castilian Beginner (A1) Intermediate (B1) Intermediate (B1) Elementary (A2)
French Beginner (A1) Intermediate (B1) Elementary (A2) Elementary (A2)
Education
Degree Classification
2020/09/01 - 2025/03
Ongoing
 Biologia Experimental e Biomedicina (Doutoramento)
Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Portugal
"Are sperm depressed?: Effects and mechanisms of action of antidepressants on sperm function, fertilization potential and ART outcomes" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
2021/05/10 - 2021/05/14
Concluded
 Connecting Researchers with Society - Science Communication (Curso de doutoramento (conclusão de unidades curriculares))
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2021/03/19 - 2021/03/19
Attended
 Formação Hiorse: Organização da Emergência (Outros)
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2019/05/21 - 2019/05/21
Attended
 Regulamento geral sobre a proteção de dados (GDPR/RGPD), Coimbra (Outros)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2018/09/04 - 2018/09/04
Attended
 Course - Introduction to Laboratory Safety. LAB SAFETY WORK SPACE, Coimbra (Outros)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2018/04/30 - 2018/04/30
Attended
 Course - Princípios OCDE das Boas Práticas de Laboratório (BPL), Coimbra (Outros)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2018/03/22 - 2018/03/22
Attended
 Course - “Gestão de Recursos Hospitalares Perigosos – Triagem e Acondicionamento” (AMBIWASTE) - Coimbra (Outros)
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2017
Concluded
 Biotecnologia para as Ciências da Saúde (Mestrado)
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
"Avaliação in vivo dos efeitos biológicos e comportamentais do bisfenol A (BPA) em Drosophila melanogaster" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
2015/09 - 2016/05
Attended
 Formação certificada em SOFT SKILLS, Vila Real (Outros)
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal
2014
Concluded
 Genética e Biotecnologia (Licenciatura)
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
"Variabilidade do género Mycobacterium em animais selvagens: estudo através de ISSRs" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2018/05/15 - 2020/05/14 Research Trainee (Research) CNC.IBILI, Portugal
CNC.IBILI, Portugal
2017/10/02 - 2018/03/31 Research Trainee (Research) Rede de Química e Tecnologia Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde, Portugal
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal

Other Careers

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2020/05/18 - 2021/01/31 Assistente (Técnico Superior de Saúde - Laboratório) Laboratório de Análises Clínicas da Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
Laboratório de Análises Clínicas da Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal

Others

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2020 - Current PhD student Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Portugal
CNC.IBILI, Portugal
2015/09/01 - 2017/01/16 MSc Thesis student - "In vivo evaluation of the biological and behavioral effects of bisphenol A (BPA) in Drosophila melanogaster” Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
2014/02/01 - 2014/05/31 Laboratorial Internship - "Variability of the Mycobacterium genus in wild animals: a study through ISSRs" Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2021/03/01 - 2025/02/28 Are sperm depressed: Effects and mechanisms of action of antidepressants on sperm function, fertilization potential and ART outcomes
2020.06698.BD
10.54499/2020.06698.BD
Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing

Contract

Designation Funders
2019 - 2020 MEN'S HEALTH ESTARREJA - evaluation of the reproductive health of men living in a heavily industrialized area
OHM-E/2019/Proj.3
Research Fellow
CNC.IBILI, Portugal
 LabEx DRIIHM
Ongoing
2018/05/15 - 2019/07/31 INNOTECH 2015
INNOTECH 2015
Research Fellow
CNC.IBILI, Portugal
 Laboratoire INNOTECH International
Concluded
2017/10 - 2018/03 Proteostasia da huntingtina e mitocôndria: alvos para prevenir a disfunção neuronal na doença de Huntington (PTDC/NEU-NMC/0412/2014)
PTDC/NEU-NMC/0412/2014
Research Fellow
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
Ongoing
Outputs

Publications

Conference poster
  1. Alfaiate, MIR; António Santos, Rita; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. Corresponding author: Alfaiate, MIR. "No loss, no gain: Cholesterol efflux and sperm function deficit after capacitation in overweight and obese men". Paper presented in European Testis Workshop, 2023.
  2. António Santos, Rita; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. "The Impact of Antidepressants on Male Fertility: Evidence from an in vitro study". Paper presented in European Testis Workshop 2023, 2023.
  3. António Santos, Rita; Alfaiate, MIR; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. Corresponding author: Tavares, Renata S.. "And what about antidepressants: do they affect human spermatozoa?". Paper presented in 57th anual Scientific meeting of the European Society of Clinical Investigation (ESCI), 2023.
  4. Alfaiate, MIR; António Santos, Rita; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. Corresponding author: Alfaiate, MIR. "No loss, no gain: Lack of cholesterol efflux and tyrosine phosphorylation in overweight and obese men". Paper presented in 57th anual Scientific meeting of the European Society of Clinical Investigation (ESCI), 2023.
  5. António Santos, Rita; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. "Is the use of antidepressants making human spermatozoa happy?". Paper presented in BEB Day 2023, 2023.
  6. Alfaiate, MIR; António Santos, Rita; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. Corresponding author: Alfaiate, MIR. "No loss, no gain: Cholesterol efflux and sperm function deficit after capacitation in overweight and obese men". Paper presented in BEB Day 2023, 2023.
  7. Tavares, Renata S.; Alfaiate, MIR; António Santos, Rita; Carola, Carolina; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João. Corresponding author: Tavares, Renata S.. "It takes two to tango: The involvement of endocrine disruptors in male infertility aetiology". Paper presented in Fertility 2023, 2023.
  8. Tavares R.; Alfaiate, MIR; António-Santos, Rita; Carola, Carolina; Sousa, AP; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João. Corresponding author: Alfaiate, MIR. "It Takes Two to Tango: the Involvement of Certain Environmental Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Male Infertility Aetiology". Paper presented in 56th anual Scientific meeting of the European Society of Clinical Investigation (ESCI), 2022.
  9. Santos, Rita; Alfaiate, MIR; Carola, Carolina; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. "Effects of Heavy Metal Contamination in Male Reproductive Status - A Preliminary Study". Paper presented in 21st European Testis Workshop, 2021.
  10. Carolina Carola; Alfaiate, MIR; Santos, Rita; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. "MEN’S HEALTH ESTARREJA - evaluation of the reproductive health of men living in a heavily industrialized area". Paper presented in 7 eme Colloque de Restitution do OHM Estarreja, 2020.
  11. António-Santos, Rita; Alfaiate, MIR; Sousa, AP; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. "Avaliação da segurança e eficácia de surfactantes catiónicos para potencial utilização em contraceptivos vaginais". Paper presented in 7º Congresso Português de Medicina da Reprodução, Porto, Portugal, 2019.
  12. Alfaiate, MIR; Santos, Rita; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. "Empowering women: in vitro safety and efficacy of cationic surfactants as active principles for potential vaginal contraceptives". Paper presented in 53rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Society for Clinical Investigation (ESCI), 2019.
  13. Santos, Rita; Isabel O'Neill de Mascarenhas Gaivão. "In vivo evaluation of the biological effects of bisphenol A (BPA) in Drosophila melanogaster". Paper presented in VIII Jornadas de Genética e Biotecnologia, 2016.
Journal article
  1. António Santos, Rita; Sousa, Ana Paula; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata S.. "In vitro effects of antidepressants on human sperm function". Asian Journal of Andrology (2024):
    Accepted
  2. Carola, Carolina; António-Santos, Rita; Alfaiate, MIR; Sousa, Ana Paula; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Ramalho-Santos, João; Tavares, Renata. "Seminal levels of endocrine disrupting chemicals and male infertility: A Portuguese pilot study". (2022):
    Under revision
  3. Santos, Rita; Alfaiate, MIR; Silva, Andreia F; Ana Paula Sousa; Almeida-Santos, Teresa: AT Santos; Célia Gendron; Violaine Jabbour; et al. "Comparative in vitro study on the local tolerance and efficacy of benzalkonium chloride, myristalkonium chloride and nonoxynol-9 as active principles in vaginal contraceptives". The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care (2021): https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2021.1900563.
    Published • 10.1080/13625187.2021.1900563
Thesis / Dissertation
  1. Rita Santos. "Avaliação in vivo dos efeitos biológicos e comportamentais do bisfenol A (BPA) em Drosophila melanogaster". Master, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, 2017. https://repositorio.utad.pt/handle/10348/7987.
  2. Santos, Rita. "Variabilidade do género Mycobacterium em animais selvagens: estudo através de ISSRs". Degree, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, 2014.
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2024/01/29 And what about antidepressants: do they affect human spermatozoa? IV MAD Meeting 2024
University of Coimbra - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (Coimbra, Portugal)
2023/06/18 The Impact of Antidepressants on Male Fertility: Evidence from an in vitro study European Testis Workshop 2023
(Montreux, Switzerland)
2022/11/24 Environmental Pollution: The Implication Of Certain Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals In Male Fertility Aetiology 30th World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility (COGI)
(Amsterdam)
2022/06/05 Poluição Ambiental: O Envolvimento De Determinados Disruptores Endócrinos (EDs) Na Etiologia Da Infertilidade Masculina XVII Congresso Nacional da SPA / XVI Reunião Ibérica de Andrologia Medicina Sexual e Reprodução
Sociedade Portuguesa de Andrologia (SPA) (Évora, Portugal)
2021/06/26 Effects of heavy metal exposure in human male reproductive health status – An ongoing pilot study ESHRE virtual 37th Annual meeting 26th June – 1 July 2021
ESHRE
2021/06/18 Os Efeitos da exposição a Metais Pesados na Saúde Reprodutiva Masculina – Dados Preliminares XVII Congresso Nacional da Sociedade Portuguesa de Andrologia / XV Reunião Ibérica de Andrologia Medicina Sexual e Reprodução
Sociedade Portuguesa de Andrologia (Portugal)
2021/01/22 Men's Health Estarreja - Evaluation of the reproductive health of men living in a heavily industrialized area 8eme Colloque de Restitution OHM- Estarreja
(Estarreja, Portugal)
2019/09/20 Empowering women: in vitro safety and efficacy of cationic surfactants as active principles for potential vaginal contraceptives 9ª Reunião Nacional da Sociedade Portuguesa da Contracepção
Sociedade Portuguesa da Contracepção (Lisboa, Portugal)
2018/02/06 “A mitochondrial-targeted superoxide generator induces in vivo Parkinson-like phenotypes in zebrafish”. Encontro da Sociedade Portuguesa de Farmacologia (SPF), 2018
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 5 a 7 de Fevereiro de 2018. (Lisboa, Portugal)
2017/09/08 Biological and behavioral effects of bisphenol A (BPA) exposure: a study in drosophila 2017 Portuguese Drosophila Meeting
(Tomar, Portugal)

Event organisation

Event name
Type of event (Role) 		Institution / Organization
2018/07/13 - Current Congresso Científico Internacional MitoPorto, 2018 (2018/07/13 - 2018/07/13)
Congress (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Farmácia, Portugal
2022/01/18 - 2022/01/19 BEB Day 2022 - The overview effect (2022/01/18 - 2022/01/19)
Conference (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal

Event participation

Activity description
Type of event 		Event name
Institution / Organization
2023/09/30 - 2023/09/30 2023 PicNic com Saúde ICBR
Other
 Picnic com Saúde
CNC.IBILI, Portugal
2023/09/29 - 2023/09/29 Participation in the 2023 European Night of Researchers. Coimbra. Coimbra
Other
 2023 European Night of Researchers
Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Portugal
2022/09/30 - 2022/09/30 Participation in the 2022 European Night of Researchers. Coimbra. Coimbra
Other
 2022 European Night of Researchers
Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Portugal
2022/01/28 - 2022/01/28 Art of living: Gestão do tempo e procrastinação
Workshop
 Art of living: Gestão do tempo e procrastinação
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2021/11/17 - 2021/11/18 II Retiro Científico da Área de Metabolism, Aging and Disease (MAD Retreat)
Conference
 II Retiro Científico da Área de Metabolism, Aging and Disease (MAD Restreat)
Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Portugal
2021/09/24 - 2021/09/24 Participation in the 2021 European Night of Researchers. Coimbra. Coimbra
Other
 2021 European Night of Researchers
Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, Portugal
2021/07/26 - 2021/07/27 WebRePRO - Reproductive Science & Fertility Virtual Summit
Conference
 WebRePRO - Reproductive Sciences & Fertility Virtual Summit
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
2021/05/27 - 2021/05/27 Formação sobre Revisão Sistemática
Workshop
 Formação sobre Revisão Sistemática
Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal
2019/10/04 - 2019/10/04 Participation in the workshop: How to Get Published, by Elsevier
Workshop
 How to Get Published
Elsevier, Netherlands
2019/09/27 - 2019/09/27 Participation in the 2019 European Night of Researchers. Coimbra. Coimbra
Other
 2019 European Night of Researchers. Coimbra
Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência , Portugal
2019/06/03 - 2019/06/03 Participation in the project Escola Ciência Viva, Coimbra
Workshop
 Escola Ciência Viva
Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2019/05/21 - 2019/05/21 Participation in the Mitochondrial Assay Workshop, by BiOLOG, BioCant Park, Cantanhede
Workshop
 Mitochondrial Assay Workshop
Biolog Inc, United States
2018/09/28 - 2018/09/28 Participation in the 2018 European Night of Researchers. Coimbra
Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência , Portugal
2017/09/08 - 2017/09/09 Participation in the 2017 Portuguese Drosophila Meeting, Tomar
Congress
 2017 Portuguese Drosophila Meeting
2016/03/10 - 2016/03/12 Participation in the VIII National Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology, Vila Real
Congress
 VIII National Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
2015/11/19 - 2015/11/19 Participation in the Start&Up 1st job seminar, organized by Fórum Estudante together with EUROPASS, IAPMEI and IEFP. Vila Real Start&Up 1st job seminar
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal
2015/10/19 - 2015/10/19 Participation in the EURAXESS Roadshow 2015, Vila Real
Workshop
 EURAXESS Roadshow 2015
EURAXESS, Portugal
2015/03/26 - 2015/03/28 Participation in the VII National Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology, Vila Real
Congress
 VII National Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
2014/03/07 - 2014/03/09 Participation in the . II National Meeting of Biotechnology Students (ENEBT), Vila Real
Congress
 II National Meeting of Biotechnology Students (ENEBT)
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
2014/03/06 - 2014/03/08 Participation in the VI National Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology, Vila Real
Congress
 VI National Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
2013/02/20 - 2013/02/23 Participation in the V National Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology, Vila Real
Congress
 V National Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
2012/11/14 - 2012/11/14 Participation in the I Neuroscience Lectures, Vila Real
Conference
 I Neuroscience Lectures
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal
2012/03/01 - 2012/03/03 Participation in the IV National Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology, Vila Real
Congress
 IV National Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Escola de Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente, Portugal

Course / Discipline taught

Academic session Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2023/09/12 - 2023/09/30 Workshop Reprodução e Fertilidade - Curso acreditado- formação de 30h (CCPFC/ACC-121036/23) Workshop Reprodução e Fertilidade (Outros) Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Portugal
2023/03/08 - 2023/03/08 A (in)fertilidade humana: da investigação à prática clínica A (in)fertilidade humana: da investigação à prática clínica (Outros) Instituto de Educação e Cidadania (IEC), Portugal
Distinctions

Award

2019 Best free oral communication at the 9th National Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Contraception
Sociedade Portuguesa da Contracepção, Portugal