About the research:
The project investigates why reproductive cells are able to “rejuvenate” each generation, while the body’s other cells accumulate damage throughout aging. Using the nematode model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, we seek to understand how these cells eliminate aggregated proteins and prevent passing them on to the offspring. By studying this phenomenon, we aim to think about new strategies for other cells in the body to better deal with proteostatic stresses associated with aging.
Awards and honors:
🏆 Grantee, Instituto Serrapilheira (2025)
🏆 Grantee, Pioneer Science (2025)
🏆 Early Career Award, IBRO (2024)
🏆 Individual Fellowship (EF-ST), Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (2020)
Selected publications:
Olfactory chemosensation extends lifespan through TGF-β signaling and UPR activation. De-Souza EA, Thompson MA, Taylor RC. Nat Aging. 2023 Aug;3(8):938-947. doi: 10.1038/s43587-023-00467-1.
RNA interference may result in unexpected phenotypes in Caenorhabditis elegans. De-Souza EA, Camara H, Salgueiro WG, Moro RP, Knittel TL, Tonon G, Pinto S, Pinca APF, Antebi A, Pasquinelli AE, Massirer KB, Mori MA. Nucleic Acids Res. 2019 May 7;47(8):3957-3969. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkz154.
