Victoria Simões Bernardo

Holds a Bachelor's degree (2019) and a teaching licensure (2021) in Biological Sciences from the Institute of Biosciences, Letters and Exact Sciences at São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP/IBILCE). She earned both her Master's degree (2021) and Ph.D. (2025) in Biosciences from the same institution. During her graduate studies, she conducted research at the Laboratory of Redox Biology and Genetic Toxicology (LaReTox), under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Danilo Grünig Humberto da Silva, with co-supervision from Prof. Dr. Anderson Ferreira da Cunha and Prof. Dr. Marcus Alexandre Finzi Corat, respectively. Her work focused on investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms of redox adaptation and evaluating antioxidant compounds as potential therapeutic strategies in cellular and murine models of sickle cell disease. She has experience in the fields of Human and Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, mainly working on the characterization of biochemical and molecular markers related to the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease, laboratory diagnosis and genetic counseling for individuals with hereditary hemoglobinopathies, and the assessment of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Currently, she is a CNPq fellow (ADC-1A modality) at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), leading a science communication project focused on health education, public engagement, and the training of community educators on sickle cell disease, called EducaFalciforme. This initiative bridges science and communication by translating complex concepts in molecular biology and biochemistry into accessible and engaging content for diverse audiences. She is currently a member of three CNPq-registered research groups: "Genetic, Molecular, and Biochemical Markers in Human Diseases UFMS", "Redox Adaptation Mechanisms in Biological Systems (BioRedox/UFMS)", and "Environmental Stresses UFRJ". Additionally, she is a current fellow of the international UPG Sustainability Leadership Program, where she connects science, sustainability, and education as tools to promote citizenship, equity, and the development of more informed and inclusive societies. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)