Project:Changes in Human Islet Microvasculature during Type 1 Diabetes

HIRN New Investigator Award Recipient

►Where are you from originally, and where did you go to school?

I am from Lisbon, Portugal and that is where I went all the way from school until University.

►What is your current position?

I am currently a research assistant professor at the University of Miami.

►Why did you decide to become a researcher?

Both my parents were researchers (biologists) and I loved how crazy they were about their work. I have always been fascinated with biology and, since I was very little, I knew this was what I wanted to do in my life.

►What is the “Big Picture” of what you study?

I want to understand how different cells in a tissue work together to guarantee proper tissue function and timely responses.

►What is your favorite aspect of your research?

That I can actually see what is happening. I do a lot of functional imaging and, in every microscope session, I feel it is a privilege that I can see cells responding and talking to each other.

► What do you hope to achieve with your research?

Understand what is going on in diabetes.