Rafaela Araújo de Sousa

I hold a Technical Degree in Chemistry from Escola Técnica Estadual (ETEC) Paulistano and a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, with solid experience in preclinical research focused on the safety and efficacy assessment of cosmetic products. I worked as a Preclinical Research Analyst, where I was responsible for developing and applying advanced methodologies in in vitro and ex vivo testing, with an emphasis on product efficacy, safety, and regulatory compliance.During this period, I conducted studies aimed at evaluating biological effects on the skin, using techniques such as immunofluorescence (semi-quantitative) and ELISA (quantitative) to detect key skin biomarkers, including collagen, elastin, and inflammatory mediators. I also carried out research on the effects of visible light, UV, and infrared exposure on the skin, assessing the induced oxidative stress. Based on these models, I compared the effectiveness of active ingredients and formulations intended for skin protection or repair, generating robust scientific data to support cosmetic claims.I presented the scientific project entitled "Comparison of the Effects of Blue Light and Visible Light Exposure on Skin Aging" at the 6th Congress of the Institute of Chemistry at the University of São Paulo (IQ-USP, 2024). The project, developed in collaboration with Grupo Medcin and Prof. Dr. Maurício Baptista, was awarded as the 3rd best poster of the event.As part of my continued technical and scientific development, I completed the course "Principles of Good Laboratory Practices Applied to In Vitro Methodologies" in December 2023. The course was promoted by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations (MCTI) in partnership with MERCOSUR, RECyT, BIOTECSUL Platform Committee, CPB, and PReMASUL. This training reinforced my knowledge in quality standards, laboratory safety, and best practices applicable to in vitro scientific research. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)