As a Lecturer in Neuroscience Education, I teach developmental neurobiology and neuroanatomy to the Neuroscience and Psychology BSc students as well as the neuroscience postgraduate students. I am also an affiliate of the King's Brazil Institute. 

I am deeply invested in deciphering the processes that underpin neural development and pathology. My research has been primarily directed towards elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms through which viral infections, such as Zika virus, contribute to congenital brain abnormalities, including microcephaly and corpus callosum agenesis. Additionally, my work has explored the oncolytic potential of flaviviruses, aiming to uncover novel molecular targets for the treatment of malignant brain tumors. More recently, my research scope has broadened to encompass the neurological implications of COVID-19, particularly the impact of neuroinflammation on neurogenesis.

Please see my Research Staff Profile for more detail

Key publications:

• Garcez et al. (2016). Zika virus impairs growth in human neurospheres and brain organoids. Science.
• Barbeito-Andrés et al. (2020). Congenital Zika Syndrome is associated with Maternal Protein Malnutrition. Sci. Adv.
• Christoff  et al. (2023). Congenital Zika Virus Infection Impairs Corpus Callosum Development. Viruses.
• Meneses et al. (2021). Microcephaly gene Cenpj regulates axonal growth in cortical neurons through microtubule destabilization. J Neurochem.
• Garcez et al (2015). Cenpj regulates progenitor divisions and neuronal migration in the cerebral cortex downstream of Ascl1. Nat. Commun.

 

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Key collaborators:

• Dr Alessio Delogu, King's College London
• Dr Clemens Kiecker, King's College London
• Prof Ivor Mason, King's College London
• Prof Richard Wingate, King's College London