Curriculum Vitae
Sara Patrícia Castro Sousa
Identification
Personal identification
- Full name
- Sara Patrícia Castro Sousa
Citation names
- Sousa, Sara Castro
Author identifiers
- Ciência ID
- E316-30F5-9E6D
- ORCID iD
- 0000-0002-7969-8696
- Google Scholar ID
- https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5L-P19EAAAAJ&hl=pt-PT&oi=ao
Email addresses
- sc.sousa@i3s.up.pt (Professional)
Knowledge fields
- Medical and Health Sciences - Basic Medicine - Neurosciences
- Medical and Health Sciences - Medical Biotechnology - Technologies Involving the Manipulation of Cells, Tissues, Organs or the Whole Organism
- Natural sciences - Biological Sciences - Cell Biology
Languages
| Language | Speaking | Reading | Writing | Listening | Peer-review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portuguese (Mother tongue) | |||||
| English | Advanced (C1) | Advanced (C1) | Advanced (C1) | Advanced (C1) | Advanced (C1) |
Education
| Degree | Classification | |
|---|---|---|
|
2025/02 - 2025/02/07
Concluded
|
Introduction to Python and Machine Learning for the Biosciences | 9th Edition (Outros)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
|
|
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2018/11/01 - 2024/11/28
Concluded
|
Cellular and Molecular Biology (Doutoramento)
Major in Neuroscience
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
"STRETCH: Dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying tension-driven axon growth " (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
|
Unanimity |
|
2024
Concluded
|
Google Project Management: Professional Certificate (Outros)
Coursera Inc, United States
|
|
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2017
Concluded
|
Cellular and Molecular Biology (Mestrado)
Major in Neuroscience
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
"The role of profilin-1 in axon formation and regeneration " (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
|
19 |
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2016
Concluded
|
Felasa Cat B Course (Outros)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
|
|
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2015
Concluded
|
Biology (Licenciatura)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
"Prevelence of syphilis in the pregnant population of Centro Hospitalar do Porto /Prevalência da sífilis na população de mulheres
grávidas do Centro Hospitalar do Porto" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
|
16 |
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2013
Concluded
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Certificate in Advanced English (Outros)
Cambridge ESOL- Lancaster College, Portugal
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B |
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2012
Concluded
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Scientific-humanistic (Ensino secundário)
Major in Scientific
Escola Secundária Gaia Nascente, Portugal
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19 |
Affiliation
Science
| Category Host institution |
Employer | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/01/16 - Current | Postdoc (Research) | Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal |
| Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal | ||
| 2018/11/01 - 2024/11/28 | Researcher (Research) | Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal |
| Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal (...) |
||
| 2019/09 - 2019/10 | Visiting Researcher (Research) | European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Germany |
| 2017/12/15 - 2018/10/30 | Researcher (Research) | Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal |
| Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal | ||
| 2016/09/05 - 2017/11/28 | Research Trainee (Research) | Universidade do Porto, Portugal |
| Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal | ||
| 2014/09/01 - 2015/06/01 | Research Trainee (Research) | Universidade do Porto, Portugal |
| Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto EPE, Portugal |
Positions / Appointments
| Category Host institution |
Employer | |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 - 2016 | Coordinator of Project Management | Núcleo de Estudantes de Biologia da Universidade do Porto, Portugal |
| Universidade do Porto, Portugal |
Projects
Grant
| Designation | Funders | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 - Current | The therapeutic potential in glioblastomas’ electrophysiology
2024.15530.PEX
Post-doc
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
|
Ongoing
|
| 2025/02/20 - 2026/08/19 | ACTIN PEARLS: DECIPHERING THEIR PREVALENCE, RELEVANCE AND FUNCTION IN NEURONS
2023.12987.PEX
Researcher
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
|
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
|
| 2022/08/14 - 2024/11/30 | Cytoskeletal and membrane adaptations of stretched neurons: from tension-induced growth to traumatic brain injury
PhD Student Fellow
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
|
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
|
| 2022/01/01 - 2023/06/30 | Dissecting the mechanisms underlying tension-driven axon growth.
EXPL/BIA-CEL/0717/2021
PhD Student Fellow
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço, Portugal |
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
|
| 2018 - 2018/10 | ProREGEN- Gene delivery of active Profilin-1 to enhance axon growth capacity and enable REGENeration after spinal cord injury
N/A
Research Fellow
|
Concluded
|
| 2017 - 2018 | ProREGEN- Constitutively Active Profilin1: The key to Axon Growth and Regeneration
N/A
Research Fellow
|
Concluded
|
Outputs
Publications
| Journal article |
|
Intellectual property
| Patent |
|
Activities
Oral presentation
| Presentation title | Event name Host (Event location) |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2024/10/24 | Stretch triggers microtubule stabilization and MARCKS-dependent membrane incorporation in the shaft of embryonic axons | Webinar - "THE CYTOSKELETON OF NEURONS AND GLIA"
https://ncytoskeleton.wixsite.com/webinars/event-details-registration/stretch-triggers-microtubule-stabilization-and-marcks-dependent-membrane-incorporation-in-the-shaft-of-embryonic-axons
|
| 2024/04/18 | Oral Presentation at Molecular and Cell Biology Symposium : "A Decade Building Science." from 18-19 April 2024 in Porto, Portugal entitled "Tension-driven growth triggers developmental stage-specific adaptations of the axonal cytoskeleton and membrane" - Sara C. Sousa; Miguel Aroso; Eduardo Veríssimo; Tiago Silva; Rita Bessa; Cátia D. F. Lopes; Pedro Brites; Jorge Vieira; Cristina P. Vieira; Paulo C. Aguiar and Monica M. Sousa | Molecular and Cell Biology Symposium : "A Decade Building Science."
(Portugal)
|
| 2023/10/03 | Oral Presentation at PhDay Brilliant PhDs, brighter future: Shaping Science together! from 3-4 October 2023 in Porto, Portugal entitled "Tension-driven growth triggers developmental stage-specific adaptations of the axonal cytoskeleton and membrane" - Sara C. Sousa; Miguel Aroso; Eduardo Veríssimo; Tiago Silva; Rita Bessa; Cátia D. F. Lopes; Pedro Brites; Jorge Vieira; Cristina P. Vieira; Paulo C. Aguiar and Monica M. Sousa | Brilliant PhDs, brighter future: Shaping Science together!
(Portugal)
|
| 2022/11 | Oral Presentation at NeuroDay22, November 2022, Porto entitled "Tension driven axon elongation trigger cytoskeleton and membrane remodelling" | NeuroDay
i3s (Portugal)
|
| 2018/11 | Pharmaceutical Profission: Challenges of the Next Decade - ProRegen / Profissão Farmacêutica: Desafios da Próxima Década- ProRegen | XIII Congresso Científico AEFFUP
(Porto, Portugal)
|
| 2017/09 | Profilin-1 is a key player of cytoskeleton dynamics required for optimal axon growth and regeneration | 12th YES - Youth European Scientists - Meeting
(Porto, Portugal)
|
| 2017/02/09 | The role of profilin 1 in axon formation, degeneration, and regeneration | IJUP
(Porto, Portugal)
|
Supervision
| Thesis Title Role |
Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2023/02 - 2023/10 | Understanding the Mechanisms of Axonal Adaptation to Physiological Tension
Co-supervisor of Rita Gonçalves Bessa
|
Bioengenharia
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Engenharia, Portugal
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal |
| 2018 - 2018 | Dissecting The Role Of Profilin1 In Axon Biology And Growth
Co-supervisor of Rafaela Silva
|
Bioquímica (Degree)
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal
|
Event organisation
| Event name Type of event (Role) |
Institution / Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/06 - 2025/06 | Workshop on Fundamental concepts of Large Language Models and their use in scientific research – i3S, June 2025 (2025/06 - 2025/06)
Workshop (Co-organisor)
|
|
| 2019 - 2020 | 3rd PhDay - Back to the Future - I3S
As a member of the organizing committee, I was actively involved in ensuring the event's success through various key responsibilities.
I coordinated with suppliers, negotiating and securing necessary materials and services to meet quality and budgetary requirements.
I also managed the preparation, editing, and publication of the abstract book, ensuring it was accurate and completed within
the established timelines. Additionally, I contributed to the financial aspects of the event by assisting in the preparatio (2020/10/01 - 2020/10/01)
Conference (Member of the Organising Committee)
|
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal |
| 2019/07/10 - 2019/07/13 | Staff Volunteer during the Event "European Glia Meeting, Porto on Glial Cells in heath and Disease" (2019/07/10 - 2019/07/13)
Congress (Other)
|
|
| 2018 - 2019 | Symposium - From InCell to ExCell - PhD Program MCBiology
As a member of the organizing team, I played a pivotal role in the successful planning and execution of the event. My responsibilities
included contacting and coordinating with speakers, ensuring their participation and addressing logistical needs. I contributed
to finance planning by preparing budgets and managing resource allocation to meet the event's goals effectively. Additionally,
I was actively involved in designing the event structure and overseeing its coordination, ensuring a seam (2019/11/06 - 2019/11/06)
Symposium (Member of the Organising Committee)
|
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal |
Event participation
| Activity description Type of event |
Event name Institution / Organization |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2025 - Current | Team Member of “À descoberta do cérebro"- from Educational Program CIENCIA ET AL, aimed at primary schools to promote science
outreach.
Workshop
|
|
| 2025/10/27 - 2025/10/28 | Poster Participation at 5th Workshop on Neuroengineering: AI tools in Neuroscience, from 27-28 October 2025 at i3S, Porto
entitled “Adaptive Neuronal Circuits Engineered with Microfluidics and MEAs” Sousa, Sara C. et al
Workshop
|
Workshop on Neuroengineering: AI tools in Neuroscience
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
|
| 2025/10/27 - 2025/10/28 | Lecturer on 5th Workshop on Neuroengineering: AI tools in Neuroscience
Module: “Gen-AI in neuroscience “
Workshop
|
Workshop on Neuroengineering: AI tools in Neuroscience |
| 2025/05/28 - 2025/05/30 | Poster Participation at XIX Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Neuroscience from 28-30 May 2025 in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal
entitled “Linking Neuronal Excitability and Axonal Transport Dynamics Using Microfluidics and Microelectrode Arrays” Sousa,
Sara C. et al
Conference
|
XIX Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Neuroscience |
| 2024/03/06 - 2024/03/08 | Poster Presentation at “Forces across scales”- from 6-8 March 2024 in i3S - Instituto de
Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal entitled "Tension-driven axon elongation triggers cytoskeleton and membrane
remodelling" Sara C. Sousa; Miguel Aroso; Eduardo Veríssimo; Tiago Silva; Rita Bessa; Cátia D. F. Lopes; Pedro Brites; Jorge
Vieira; Cristina P. Vieira; Paulo C. Aguiar and Monica M. Sousa.
Conference
|
Forces across scales
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
|
| 2023/08/08 - 2023/08/11 | Poster Presentation at ISN-ESN 2023 - International Society for Neurochemistry from 8-11 August 2023 in Porto, Portugal entitled
"Tension-driven axon elongation triggers cytoskeleton and membrane remodelling" Sara C. Sousa; Miguel Aroso; Eduardo Veríssimo;
Tiago Silva; Rita Bessa; Cátia D. F. Lopes; Pedro Brites; Jorge Vieira; Cristina P. Vieira; Paulo C. Aguiar and Monica M.
Sousa.
Conference
|
ISN-ESN 2023 - International Society for Neurochemistry |
| 2023/03/26 - 2023/03/30 | Poster Presentation at the EMBO Workshop - Emerging Concepts of the Neuronal Cytoskeleton from 26-30 March 2023 in Santa Cruz,
Chile entitled "Tension-driven axon elongation triggers cytoskeleton and membrane remodelling" - Sara C. Sousa; Miguel Aroso;
Eduardo Veríssimo; Tiago Silva; Rita Bessa; Cátia D. F. Lopes; Pedro Brites; Jorge Vieira; Cristina P. Vieira; Paulo C. Aguiar
and Monica M. Sousa
Workshop
|
Emerging Concepts of the Neuronal Cytoskeleton |
| 2023/02/23 - 2023/02/24 | Poster Presentation at the 9th McBiology Symposium from 23-24 February 2023 in Porto, Portugal entitled "Tension-driven axon
elongation triggers cytoskeleton and membrane remodeling" - Sara C. Sousa; Miguel Aroso; Eduardo Veríssimo; Tiago Silva; Cátia
D. F. Lopes; Pedro Brites; Jorge Vieira; Cristina P. Vieira; Paulo C. Aguiar and Monica M. Sousa
Symposium
|
Science: everything, everywhere all at once
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
|
| 2022/08/22 - 2022/08/26 | Poster Presentation at Cell and Developmental System from 22 - 26 August 2022 in Arolla, Switzerland entitled "Tension-driven
axon elongation triggers remodeling of cytoskeleton dynamics and trafficking" - Sara C. Sousa; Miguel Aroso; Tiago Silva;
Cátia D. F. Lopes; Pedro Brites; Jorge Vieira; Cristina P. Vieira; Paulo C. Aguiar and Monica M. Sousa -
Conference
|
Cell and Developmental System 22 |
| 2021/10/04 - 2021/10/07 | Poster Presentation at Axons 2021: Structure and Function from 04-07 October 2021 |Virtual entitled "A microfluidic platform
for live-cell imaging upon tension-driven axon elongation" - Sara C. Sousa; Miguel Aroso; Tiago Silva; Cátia D. F. Lopes;
Pedro Brites; Paulo C. Aguiar and Monica M. Sousa
Conference
|
Axons 2021: Structure and Function 04-07 October 2021 |Virtual |
| 2021/01/11 - 2021/01/13 | Poster presentation at SFN - Global Connectomme - A Virtual Event from 11-13 Jan 2021. Poster entitled "A microfluidic platform
for tension-driven axon elongation " Sara Castro Sousa, Miguel Aroso, Tiago Silva, Cátia Lopes, Pedro Brites Paulo Aguiar,
Mónica M Sousa
Conference
|
SFN - Global Connectomme - A Virtual Event |
| 2019/11/28 - 2019/11/29 | Poster presentation at Neurofluidics 2019, 28-29th November 2019, Montpellier, France. Poster entitled "STRETCH: Uncovering
the molecular players in tension-driven axon growth" Sara Castro Sousa, Miguel Aroso, Cátia Lopes, Paulo Aguiar, Mónica M
Sousa
Conference
|
Neurofluidics 2019, Montpellier, France. |
| 2019/11/06 - 2019/11/11 | Poster presentation at MCBiology Symposium - From InCell to ExCell, 6th November 2019, Porto, Portugal. Poster entitled "STRETCH:
Uncovering the molecular players in tension-driven axon growth" Sara Castro Sousa, Miguel Aroso, Cátia Lopes, Paulo Aguiar,
Mónica M Sousa
Symposium
|
From InCell to ExCell, Porto, Portugal
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal |
| 2017/11/09 - 2017/11/10 | Poster presentation at the 6th i3s Annual Meeting, 9-10 November 2017, Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal . Poster entitled " "Profilin-1
is a key regulator of actin and microtubule dynamics required for optimal axon growth and regeneration". R. P. Costa, S.
Sousa, S. Leite, J. Rodrigues, V. Sousa, M. Sousa
Meeting
|
i3s Annual Meeting, Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal |
| 2017/05/24 - 2017/05/25 | Poster Presentation at the XV Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Neuroscience, entitled "Profilin-1 is a key regulator
of actin and microtubule dynamics required for optimal axon growth and regeneration" R. Pinto-Costa , S. Leite , S. Sousa,
J.Marques, M.M.Sousa. . Presented a 24-25 May 2017, Braga, Portugal
Meeting
|
XV Meeting of the Portuguese Society for Neuroscience, Braga, Portugal |
| 2017/05/07 - 2017/05/10 | Poster presentation at the EMBO Conference - Cell biology of the neuron: Polarity, plasticity and regeneration, "Profilin-1
is a key regulator of actin and microtubule dynamics required for optimal axon growth and regeneration" - R. Pinto-Costa ,
S. Leite , S. Sousa , J. Nogueira-Rodrigues , V. Sousa and M.M.Sousa. 7-10 May 2017, Heraklion, Greece
Conference
|
Cell biology of the neuron: Polarity, plasticity and regeneration, Heraklion, Greece |
Jury of academic degree
| Topic Role |
Candidate name (Type of degree) Institution / Organization |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2025/12/04 | A Human Sensory Neuron Model to Explore the Pathophysiology of Transthyretin Amyloid Polyneuropathy (ATTR-PN)
(Thesis) Main arguer
|
Margarida Garcia Martins (Master) |
| 2025/10/29 | Assessing the Contribution of Neuron-Intrinsic Determinants in the Regenerative Capacity of the Acomys Spinal Cord
(Thesis) Main arguer
|
Rafaela da Graça Gomes (Master) |
Committee member
| Activity description Role |
Institution / Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| 2019/12/01 - 2020/10/01 | Member of the Organizing Committee of 3rd PhDay - Back to the Future - I3S
Member
|
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal |
| 2019 - 2019 | Member of the Organizing Committee of Symposium - From InCell to ExCell - PhD Program MCBiology Symposium
Member
|
Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal |
Course / Discipline taught
| Academic session | Degree Subject (Type) | Institution / Organization | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | Tension- driven axon elongation class as part of "Neurobiology of Aging and Disease " course | Neurobiologia (Mestrado integrado) | Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal |
| 2023 - 2023 | Tension- driven axon elongation class as part of "Neurobiology of Aging and Disease " course | Neurobiologia (Mestrado integrado) | Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal |
| 2022 - 2022 | Tension- driven axon elongation class as part of "Neurobiology of Aging and Disease " course | Neurobiologia (Mestrado integrado) | Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal |
| 2020/11/27 - 2020/11/27 | Tension- driven axon elongation class as part of "Neurobiology of Aging and Disease " course | (Mestrado) | Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal |
| 2018/05/28 - 2018/06/01 | In vitro cultures of neurons and glia and animal models of nerve and spinal cord injury and neurolipids in axon growth, myelination, degeneration and regeneration | Doctoral Program in Areas of Basic and Applied Biology (Doutoramento) | Universidade do Porto Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal |
Distinctions
Award
| 2025 | Registration Grant - 5th Workshop on Neuroengineering: AI tools in Neuroscience |
| 2023 | Registration Grant - Emerging Concepts of the Neuronal Cytoskeleton |
| 2019 | Christian Boulin Fellowship
European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Germany
|
| 2018 | Bluepharma Innovation Award |
| 2017 | Foundation Prof. Ernesto Morais - Best Oral Presentation in Neuroscience
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
|
| 2012 | Award of Merit from Agrupamento das Escolas de Oliveira do Douro / Prémio de Mérito Agrupamento das Escolas de Oliveira do Douro |
Other distinction
| 2022 | Travel Grant - EMBO Arolla |
| 2018 | FCT Studentships
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
|