Prof. Dr. Silvia Lima Costa | NeuroImmunology | Outstanding Scientist Award
Full Professor at Federal University of Bahia,Brazil🎓
Education 🎓:
Silvia holds a VMD in Genetic Toxicology (Honorable) from the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil (1990), and an MPhil in Immunology from the same institution (1996). She earned her PhD in Neuroscience with honors from Université de Paris Créteil Val-de-Marne, France, in 2000. Her postdoctoral studies in neuroscience were completed at Université de Paris V, France (2007–2008). Over the years, she has served as an invited senior professor at globally renowned institutions, including Instituto Cajal in Spain (2011), the University of Portsmouth in the UK (2017), Macquarie University in Australia (2022), and the University of Limerick in Ireland (2024).
Work Experience 💼:
Silvia has been a Professor of Biochemistry at UFBA since 1993, where she has led numerous educational and research initiatives. She coordinated the Post-Graduation Program in Immunology at UFBA during two terms (2012–2015 and 2020–2023). Since 2006, she has been a Productivity Researcher at the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). She is also a passionate advocate for public understanding of science, spearheading programs such as “Neuroscience in the School” and organizing the Annual Summer School in Immunology.
Skills 🔍
Silvia is an expert in neuroimmunology, delving into the complex interactions between the immune and nervous systems. She has advanced knowledge in neuropharmacology, exploring drug interactions with the brain and their effects on neurological conditions. Her expertise in cellular biology includes innovative biochemical approaches to studying cellular mechanisms, particularly in neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. Additionally, her leadership skills are evident in her mentorship of over 65 MPhil, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers.
Awards and Honors 🏆
Silvia has been honored as an invited senior professor at leading institutions in France, Spain, the UK, Australia, and Ireland, recognizing her global contributions to neuroimmunology and neuropharmacology. She has also received commendations for her groundbreaking research and educational leadership in biochemistry, immunology, and neuroscience.
🤝 Memberships:
Silvia is a member of the Brazilian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SBBq) and the Brazilian Society of Immunology (SBI). These memberships underscore her active engagement in advancing biochemistry and immunology through research and collaboration.
Teaching Experience 👩🏫:
Silvia has been teaching biochemistry at UFBA since 1993, fostering the next generation of scientists through engaging and innovative pedagogy. She has coordinated key educational initiatives, including the “Basic Immunology” course (2020–2023) and the “Advanced School in Neurochemistry” (since 2019). She is also the organizer of the Annual Summer School in Immunology for postgraduate students, which has been running successfully since 2014.
Research Focus 🔬:
📚 Publilcation
- Neuroprotective Effect of Flavonoid Agathisflavone in the Ex Vivo Cerebellar Slice Neonatal Ischemia
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Molecules
- DOI: 10.3390/molecules29174159
- JM-20 administration to animals with lesion of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway induced by 6-hydroxydopamine, partially reverses motor damage and oxidative stress
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Preprint
- DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.30.605870
- Differential Interactions of Flavonoids with the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor In Silico and Their Impact on Receptor Activity In Vitro
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Pharmaceuticals
- DOI: 10.3390/ph17080980
- Methanolic Extract and Brominated Compound from the Brazilian Marine Sponge Aplysina fulva Are Neuroprotective and Modulate Inflammatory Profile of Microglia
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Marine Drugs
- DOI: 10.3390/md22060235
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Glial Cells as Molecular Target for Parkinson’s Disease
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Cells
- DOI: 10.3390/cells13060474
- The Phytochemical Agathisflavone Modulates miR146a and miR155 in Activated Microglia Involving STAT3 Signaling
- Year: 2024
- Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052547
- Flavonoid Rutin Presented Anti-Glioblastoma Activity Related to the Modulation of Onco miRNA-125b Expression and STAT3 Signaling and Impact on Microglia Inflammatory Profile
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Brain Sciences
- DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010090
- Effect of the Flavonoid Rutin on the Modulation of the Myenteric Plexuses in an Experimental Model of Parkinson’s Disease
- Year: 2024
- Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021037
- The Flavonoid Agathisflavone Directs Brain Microglia/Macrophages to a Neuroprotective Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant State via Regulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome
- Year: 2023
- Journal: Pharmaceutics
- DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051410
- Identification of a Novel Dual Inhibitor of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase: In Vitro and In Silico Studies
- Year: 2023
- Journal: Pharmaceuticals
- DOI: 10.3390/ph16010095