Project: Defining the Estradiol–Zinc–PI3K Axis in Urothelial Host Defense Against Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

As part of a multidisciplinary team at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, I contributed to the development of a competitive translational research grant investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) in postmenopausal women. The proposal was designed to bridge basic science, animal models, and clinical research to develop novel, non-antibiotic therapeutic strategies for preventing recurrent infections.

The project introduces a previously undescribed estradiol–zinc–PI3K signaling pathway, proposing that estradiol enhances urothelial innate immunity by regulating intracellular zinc homeostasis and activating antimicrobial defense mechanisms. The research integrates cell culture models, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, murine infection models, and a prospective human cohort study to identify biomarkers predictive of response to vaginal estrogen therapy.

My contributions included scientific writing, literature synthesis, experimental design, development of mechanistic hypotheses, integration of preliminary data, and preparation of the research strategy, significance, innovation, and specific aims sections. The proposal was developed in collaboration with clinician-scientists, microbiologists, reproductive biologists, and translational researchers, supporting a highly interdisciplinary approach to precision medicine for recurrent urinary tract infections.

Research Areas: Translational Medicine • Urogynecology • Host–Pathogen Interactions • Women's Health • Immunology • Molecular Biology • Grant Writing • Precision Medicine

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Project: CtBP Inhibition as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Experimental Atopic Dermatitis

During my first postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (August 2023 – August 2024), I contributed to the development of an NIH R01-funded research project (R01 AR061792, NIAMS) investigating the therapeutic potential of C-terminal Binding Protein (CtBP) inhibitors for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

The project aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which CtBP inhibition modulates cutaneous inflammation, epidermal barrier function, and immune responses in preclinical models of inflammatory skin disease. Using in vivo mouse models of atopic dermatitis, the research integrated immunology, molecular biology, histopathology, and translational dermatology to evaluate the efficacy of CtBP-targeted therapies and identify novel therapeutic pathways.

My contributions included scientific grant writing, literature review, experimental design, hypothesis development, preparation of research strategy sections, and integration of preclinical data to support NIH funding objectives. This experience strengthened my expertise in translational research, proposal development, and interdisciplinary collaboration within an NIH-funded research environment.

Funding: National Institutes of Health (NIH) – National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) • R01 AR061792

Research Areas: Atopic Dermatitis • Dermatology • Immunology • Translational Research • Drug Discovery • Mouse Models • Molecular Biology • Grant Writing • Inflammation • Skin Biology

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As a FAPESP-funded postdoctoral researcher at the University of São Paulo (USP), I investigated the therapeutic potential of nanostructured Brazilian green propolis for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds complicated by bacterial infection. The project focused on the development of solid lipid nanoparticles containing an artepillin C-rich fraction of green propolis as a topical, natural product-based strategy for wound healing.

The research addressed an important unmet clinical need, as diabetic wounds are characterized by persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired tissue repair, and increased susceptibility to infection. These complications are further aggravated by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which can contribute to chronic infection, poor healing outcomes, and increased risk of amputation.

The project combined pharmaceutical nanotechnology, natural products research, microbiology, and experimental pharmacology. The nanostructured formulations were evaluated through in vitro cytotoxicity, wound-healing, skin retention, and permeation studies, followed by validation in an in vivo model of MRSA-infected diabetic wounds. Experimental outcomes included wound closure, bacterial burden, clinical appearance, histopathology, inflammatory responses, biochemical markers, and molecular mechanisms associated with tissue repair.

This work contributed to the development of innovative topical therapies designed to overcome the physicochemical limitations of green propolis-derived compounds while improving their stability, skin delivery, antimicrobial activity, and wound-healing potential.

My responsibilities included experimental design, formulation development, in vitro and in vivo studies, data analysis, scientific writing, manuscript preparation, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary FAPESP-funded research program focused on strengthening the scientific and technological development of the Brazilian propolis sector.

Funding: São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) – Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Grant #19/14496-4

Institution: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo

Research Areas: Nanotechnology • Solid Lipid Nanoparticles • Green Propolis • Artepillin C • Diabetic Wound Healing • MRSA • Natural Products • Drug Delivery • Pharmaceutical Technology • Translational Research

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Project: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of a Lupeol-Based Topical Cream for Cutaneous Wound Healing in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Experimental Models

As a FAPESP-funded Ph.D. researcher at São Paulo State University (UNESP), I investigated the therapeutic potential of lupeol, a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene, as a novel topical treatment for impaired wound healing associated with diabetes mellitus. The project focused on elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which lupeol promotes tissue repair while modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix remodeling.

The research employed both diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rat models to evaluate the efficacy of lupeol cream throughout the different phases of wound healing. A comprehensive translational approach combined histopathology, morphometric analysis, immunohistochemistry, qPCR, RT-PCR, ELISA, oxidative stress assays, collagen quantification, gelatin zymography, and cytokine profiling to investigate tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, antioxidant defense, growth factor expression, and matrix remodeling.

The findings contributed to the understanding of how natural bioactive compounds regulate skin repair and supported the development of plant-derived therapeutic strategies for chronic diabetic wounds, an area of significant unmet clinical need.

My responsibilities included experimental design, animal studies, molecular and histological analyses, data interpretation, scientific writing, manuscript preparation, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary FAPESP-funded research program investigating natural compounds for tissue regeneration.

Funding: São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) – Doctoral Research Fellowship (Grant #14/23247-4)

Institution: Institute of Biosciences (IBB), São Paulo State University (UNESP)

Research Areas: Wound Healing • Diabetes Mellitus • Natural Products • Lupeol • Pharmacognosy • Molecular Biology • Histopathology • Immunology • Oxidative Stress • Translational Research