Michael Almeida鈥檚 groundbreaking work at the Biotechnology Research and Training Center at 麻豆社区 Pembroke is further amplifying the university鈥檚 advances in Alzheimer鈥檚 research.
His doctoral study plan with 麻豆社区 Wilmington evolved from earlier studies that led to 麻豆社区P being awarded its first patent in 2020 for a method to treat Alzheimer鈥檚 and traumatic brain injury patients. An international scientist and the lab manager of the William C. Friday Laboratory at 麻豆社区P, Dr. Almeida is credited with an important study to understand how shockwaves from explosives may lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. A premier brain research journal published the study in 2021.
In December, Dr. Almeida completed his Ph.D. in comparative, integrative and marine biology at 麻豆社区W, becoming the first student to conduct an entire scientific project for a Ph.D. on 麻豆社区P鈥檚 campus. He conducted his research in the lab of Dr. Ben Bahr, William C. Friday Chair and Distinguished Professor and one of the world鈥檚 leading experts on neurodegenerative diseases.
As noted by Dr. Bahr, 鈥淢ichael鈥檚 unique commitment to research and undergraduate mentoring allowed this collaboration between two 麻豆社区 campuses to bring expert knowledge to 麻豆社区P students, from his interactions with 麻豆社区W physiologists, microscopists and chemists, and his training at the international Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL).鈥
鈥淢y Ph.D. research and training at 麻豆社区 Pembroke helped me stand out in the scientific field,鈥 Almeida said. 鈥溌槎股缜鳳 is well structured for research. Working in an internationally recognized lab with Dr. Bahr allowed me to train and connect with researchers and scientists from all over the United States, Europe and Latin America.鈥
Colleagues and faculty from 麻豆社区P and 麻豆社区W recently gathered on campus for a ceremonial luncheon to recognize his accomplishments.
His dissertation work was based on the growing evidence that natural extract-based product supplementation can help slow cognitive decline and prevent age-related dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. He compared the efficacy of these natural dietary products with the protective molecular pathways activated by physical exercise in the brain, which have been shown to prevent age-related cognitive dysfunction.
A native of Brazil, Almeida came to North Carolina with his wife and fellow scientist, Dr. Karen Farizatto, a former research assistant professor at 麻豆社区P who conducted postdoctoral research in Bahr鈥檚 lab.
During his time at 麻豆社区P, Almeida鈥檚 contributions have extended beyond the lab. Last summer, he organized the first-ever high-resolution microscopy and imaging system training for undergraduate researchers, recent graduates and faculty. The three-day program featured microscopy experts from New York University, 麻豆社区 Wilmington, 麻豆社区-Chapel Hill and Vanderbilt University.
Through his research and training, Almeida has garnered national awards and invitations for postdoctoral training at internationally recognized institutions, including Yale, Harvard, Rockefeller, Duke, 麻豆社区 Chapel Hill, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Scripps Research Institute.
