Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto
Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Phone: +351 226 074 900
Email: info@i3s.up.pt
Inês Alves, a postdoctoral researcher affiliated with Pinho’s Lab, has earned distinction as one of the top five recipients of the Maria de Sousa Award in the third edition of this prestigious competition. Presented by the Ordem dos Médicos and the BIAL Foundation, the award recognizes Inês for her exceptional contributions to lupus research.
Her project, conducted within the “Immunology, Cancer & GlycoMedicine” group at i3S, focuses on systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease with a significant impact on the lives of young women. Particularly, Inês focuses on lupus nephritis, a severe manifestation of the disease affecting the kidneys. In a groundbreaking prior study, Inês identified a unique glycan signature on the surface of kidney cells in lupus patients. These glycans, typically found in microorganisms like fungi and viruses, offered insights into the loss of immune tolerance associated with lupus.
The Maria de Sousa Prize, which includes a grant of up to 30,000 euros and an internship at The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research in Israel, will facilitate the continuation of Inês’ research. Her project aims to investigate whether lupus patients produce specific antibodies against these glycans, potentially revealing crucial information about the severity and susceptibility of lupus.
The award ceremony was held in Lisbon and celebrated her contributions and was a significant milestone in Inês’ promising pathway as an immunologist.
Congratulations Inês!
