Four Portuguese scientists receive L’Oréal Portugal Medals of Honor for Women in Science

The 19th edition of the L'Oréal Portugal Medals of Honor for Women in Science honors four more Portuguese scientists at a medal ceremony on May 10 at Ciência Viva – Pavilhão do Conhecimento.

Research on cardiac devices, type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, and degraded soil recovery are the topics addressed by the four award-winning scientific projects developed by Andreia Trindade Pereira (i3S – University of Porto), Joana Sacramento (Nova Medical School – New University of Lisbon), Raquel Boia (iCBR – University of Coimbra); and Sara Peixoto (University of Aveiro).

The researchers, who hold PhDs and are aged between 31 and 35, were selected by a scientific jury chaired by Alexandre Quintanilha and will receive an individual prize of €15,000. A total of €60,000 will be awarded to support the research projects of young female PhD holders.

In Portugal, 65 young female researchers have already been honored with the L'Oréal Portugal Medals of Honor for Women in Science. The first edition of this initiative in Portugal took place in 2004, inspired by the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program, a L'Oréal initiative to support women in science in partnership with UNESCO, which has been running since 1998.

Since its inception, the L'Oréal Portugal Medals of Honor for Women in Science program has brought together L'Oréal Portugal, the Portuguese National Commission for UNESCO, and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in support of young female researchers.

Winning projects of the 19th edition of the L'Oréal Portugal Medals of Honor for Women in Science:

Andreia Trindade Pereira

31 years old

i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto

Project “BloodStream2Power – Exploring blood stream to generate energy for cardiac electrical devices”

The project proposes using mechanical energy produced by the human body as an alternative and inexhaustible source to power implantable electronic cardiac devices, such as pacemakers, which currently use conventional batteries with a limited lifespan and need to be replaced in surgeries that carry a high risk for patients. The way to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy is based on the principle of static electricity produced by friction (also called triboelectricity), an effect that Andreia compares to "rubbing a pencil on a wool sweater or our hands on a balloon."

Joana Sacramento

35 years

NOVA Medical School, New University of Lisbon

Project: “Closed-loop electroceutical targeting of the carotid sinus nerve to treat type 2 diabetes”

This research explores an emerging medical field, bioelectronic medicine, and aims to use its potential to modulate the electrical activity of the human body to selectively alter the activity of the carotid body, a small organ located in the neck that, in previous studies, has been shown to be involved in the development of type 2 diabetes. "We observed that when we severed the connection between the carotid body and the brain by cutting the carotid sinus nerve, it was possible to reverse type 2 diabetes," says Joana Sacramento. However, this approach cannot be used in humans, as the carotid body has several other functions that are essential to our body, such as controlling blood oxygen levels. As an alternative, Joana and her team have proven that electrical modulation of the carotid sinus nerve's activity, rather than cutting it, can also reverse type 2 diabetes.

Raquel Boia

34 years old

Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, and VectorB2B – drug development

Project: “A new therapeutic approach to leverage vision restoration in glaucoma”

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness worldwide and is characterized by substantial loss of retinal ganglion cells and damage to the optic nerve, which consists of cell extensions called axons that transmit visual information to the brain. This research project aims to determine whether it is possible to regenerate the axons of retinal ganglion cells and reintegrate them correctly into the visual system to promote vision recovery. "We have already identified that the activation of a receptor present in retinal ganglion cells is capable of protecting them," explains researcher Raquel Boia, who will now assess whether this receptor—adenosine A3 – can promote the regeneration of the axons of these cells and reintegrate them into the visual system, so that the optic nerve regains its ability to transmit visual information to the brain.

Sara Peixoto

32 years old

University of Aveiro

Project “MicroStimulus – The ecological role of microbial-based plant biostimulants in the resident rhizosphere microbiome from degraded agricultural and forest soils”

With this research, Sara Peixoto wants to understand the ecological effect of applying biostimulants to the recovery of degraded soils and to see whether these products can support the functional recovery of soils affected by intensive agricultural use and forest fires. To this end, she will analyze the role that different formulations of microorganism-based biostimulants play in the communities of microorganisms that are naturally present in the soil (soil microbiome), specifically in the area where the soil and plant roots come into contact (the rhizosphere).

In general, biostimulants facilitate the availability of nutrients in the soil (they help, for example, to fix nitrogen or make phosphorus soluble), improving its fertility and conditions favorable to plant growth and productivity, as well as their tolerance to environmental pressures.