Caroline Almeida

Caroline Corrêa-Almeida is a Brazilian biophysicist and doctoral researcher at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, currently serving as a visiting scholar in Dr. Clarissa Nobile’s lab at the University of California, Merced. Her research focuses on antifungal peptides and biofilm inhibition, contributing to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against fungal pathogens.

Academic Background

Ms. Corrêa-Almeida earned her undergraduate degree in Biotechnology and a master's in Biophysics from UFRJ. She is presently pursuing her Ph.D. at the Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, IBCCF, at UFRJ, conducting her research under the mentorship of Dr. Eleonora Kurtenbach.

Research Focus

Her research centers on the structural and functional characterization of plant defensins, particularly Psd2, and their interactions with fungal membranes. She investigates the mechanisms by which these peptides inhibit fungal growth and biofilm formation, aiming to inform the development of new antifungal therapies.

Notable Publications

Plant defensins as a model to study the thermostability of surface hydrophobic clusters: The Pisum sativum defensin 2, Psd2, March 2023.

Characterization of Aspergillus nidulans Biofilm Formation and Structure and Their Inhibition by Pea Defensin Psd2, January 2022.

Psd2 pea defensin shows a preference for mimetic membrane rafts enriched with glucosylceramide and ergosterol, April 2019.

Professional Engagements

Ms. Corrêa-Almeida is actively involved in the scientific community, participating in conferences and collaborative research projects. She is listed as a Young Investigator Speaker at the upcoming American Peptide Symposium in San Diego, highlighting her contributions to peptide research.

Through her research and collaborations, Caroline Corrêa-Almeida continues to advance the understanding of antifungal peptides, contributing to the development of innovative treatments for fungal infections.