August 25, 2026
What is your position?
I am a postdoc in Bill Hawse's lab.
What inspired you to pursue immunology research?
My interest in immunology originated during my undergraduate research when I worked on inflammatory pain. During this period, I completed a summer internship at the University of São Paulo, where I gained experience with animal models of inflammatory diseases. This experience strongly motivated me to return to the University of São Paulo to pursue a PhD in Biological Sciences, with a focus on pharmacology and immunology.
What does your research focus on?
My research in the Hawse Lab focuses on understanding how T cell activation influences the development of autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis (MS). In autoimmune conditions, T cells become autoreactive, mistakenly recognizing self-antigens as foreign and subsequently attacking the body’s own tissues. Modulating T cell activation, such as proliferation and the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, represents a potential strategy to attenuate autoimmune responses in MS. Therefore, identifying novel targets that reduce T cell activation may provide promising therapeutic approaches for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including MS.
What are your career aspirations?
My goal is to lead an academic research team.
What makes you happy outside of the lab?
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter. I also like playing video games on the computer. Interestingly, even though I’m from Brazil, the weather in Pittsburgh doesn’t bother me at all.