Dr. Samantha Mancino , Instituto Superior Tecnico , Portugal
Dr. Samantha Mancino is an Italian neuroscientist and pharmacologist specializing in the neurobiology of addiction and neuroepigenetics. With a strong foundation in Pharmacy from the University of Siena and a Ph.D. in Biomedicine from the University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, she has built a robust career at the intersection of neuroscience, molecular biology, and public health. Her research spans food and drug addiction, neurodevelopmental disorders such as Prader-Willi Syndrome, and innovative therapeutic approaches like psychedelics. Currently an Associate Researcher at the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (Lisbon), she is recognized for her multidisciplinary expertise, scholarly output, and commitment to translational research. Dr. Mancino is a frequent contributor to scientific literature, a recipient of multiple competitive grants and fellowships, and an advocate for mental health and neuroscience outreach. Her dynamic career exemplifies the role of women leading impactful research in the life sciences.
Publication Profile:
Scopus
✅ Strengths for the Award:
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Interdisciplinary Expertise: Dr. Mancino brings a rare blend of expertise in molecular neuroscience, pharmacology, epigenetics, and public health, with a focused application in addiction research and psychiatric disorders.
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Research Innovation: She has led cutting-edge studies on Prader-Willi Syndrome, eating addiction, and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, which place her at the forefront of translational neuroscience.
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International Recognition: Her academic journey across Italy, Spain, and Portugal, along with multiple international fellowships and research contracts (FCT, Fondazione Veronesi), highlights her global scientific impact.
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Strong Publication Record: With publications in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Scientific Reports, and Addiction Biology, her work has made significant scientific contributions.
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Leadership & Mentorship: As a consultant, collaborator, and lab-based mentor, she demonstrates the qualities of a scientific leader committed to community, innovation, and education.
🔍 Areas for Improvement:
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Leadership Visibility: While her academic contributions are evident, increasing leadership roles in international research consortia or editorial boards would further elevate her visibility.
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Public Engagement: Given her background in public health and controversial research areas (e.g., psychedelics), expanding science communication or outreach efforts could help destigmatize her topics and foster greater societal impact.
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Funding Diversity: While she has secured prestigious European fellowships, pursuing industry collaborations or global health funding (e.g., WHO, NIH) may open broader applications and influence.
🎓 Education:
Dr. Mancino holds a Master’s degree in Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy (110/110 cum laude) from the University of Siena, where she also completed a thesis on Alzheimer’s disease. She earned her Ph.D. in Biomedicine from the University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, with a European Doctor Mention. Her doctoral work focused on the role of endogenous opioid and cannabinoid systems in addictive-like behaviors. To further expand her interdisciplinary expertise, she pursued a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Neuropsychology from INSPSIC (Lisbon), with a thesis on cannabis use and psychiatric disorders. In 2024, she completed a Master in Public Health from the University of Porto, including a thesis project on the medical use of psychedelics during an internship at the EMCDDA. This academic trajectory highlights a rare combination of pharmacological, neuroscientific, and public health competencies essential for tackling modern health challenges.
🧪 Experience:
Dr. Mancino’s research career spans over a decade, encompassing roles in top-tier European institutions. Since 2021, she has served as a Neuroscientist and Associate Researcher at the Laboratory of Stem Cells and Epigenetics (Lisbon), focusing on Prader-Willi Syndrome and eating addiction. Previously, she was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Molecular Medicine, investigating aging, neurodegeneration, and epigenetics. Her doctoral training was at the Neuropharmacology Lab of Prof. R. Maldonado (University Pompeu Fabra), where she contributed significantly to addiction neuroscience. Outside of laboratory work, she has consulted for BioExpert Network on neuroscience-based startup evaluations and served as a public health advisor at the Italian Mission in Geneva. Her multidisciplinary experience across molecular neuroscience, public health, and translational research makes her an exemplary candidate for research-focused recognition.
🏅 Awards and Honors:
Dr. Mancino is the recipient of the prestigious FCT CEEC Researcher Grant (Portugal, 2022–present) and a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Fondazione Umberto Veronesi (Italy, 2018–2019). She has earned the European Doctor Mention for her Ph.D. in Neuroscience and has won numerous competitive travel and presentation awards, including from Wellcome Connecting Science (2023), IACM (2015, 2019), SEIC (2017), ISN (2016), and EuroScicon (2013, 2015). Notably, she received the Best Poster Presentation Award at the DCEXS Neuroscience Symposium (2014) for her pioneering work on neuron-glia interactions. These recognitions underscore her scientific excellence, dedication to innovation, and contribution to the global neuroscience community.
🔬 Research Focus:
Dr. Samantha Mancino’s research primarily centers on the neurobiological underpinnings of addiction and related psychiatric disorders. She investigates how the endogenous opioid and cannabinoid systems contribute to addictive behaviors and eating disorders, including those associated with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Her postdoctoral studies expanded into neuroepigenetics, exploring the roles of genomic imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation in aging and neurodegeneration. Recently, her interest has extended to the therapeutic use of psychedelics, combining neuroscience with public health perspectives. Dr. Mancino employs behavioral models, molecular biology, and stem cell-based systems to understand complex neuropsychiatric conditions and translate findings into potential interventions. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental science and real-world application, aiming to destigmatize novel therapies and improve treatment outcomes for mental health and addiction disorders.
📚 Publications Top Notes:
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🧠 Psychedelics and stigma: overcoming the barrier for research and therapeutic uses (2024, Journal of Psychedelics – submitted)
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🧬 Dualistic SAHA dose-dependent effects on glial-inflammatory response: a microarray comparative study (2025, Scientific Reports)
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🧓 Stability of Genomic Imprinting and X-Chromosome Inactivation in the Aging Brain (2023, Aging Cell)
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🧪 Imprinting fidelity in mouse iPSCs depends on sex of donor cell and medium formulation (2022, Nature Communications)
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🍽️ A Behavioral and Pharmacological Characterization of Palatable Diet Alternation in Mice (2017, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior)
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🧠 Involvement of DOR in the neuroplastic mechanisms underlying food reward and seeking behavior (2016, Addiction Biology)
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🧫 Epigenetic and proteomic expression changes promoted by eating addictive-like behavior (2015, Neuropsychopharmacology)
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💉 Effects of Genetic Deletion of Endogenous Opioid System Components on the Reinstatement of Cocaine-Seeking Behavior in Mice (2014, Neuropsychopharmacology)
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🐁 Modelling food addiction in mice (2012, Conference Paper, Behavioural Pharmacology)
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🧬 Neuron-Glia Interactions Studied with In Vitro Co-Cultures (2019, Book Chapter in Neuromethods, Springer)
🧾 Conclusion:
Dr. Samantha Mancino is a highly qualified candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Her rigorous interdisciplinary background, pioneering work on neurobiological and epigenetic mechanisms of addiction and mental health, and her ongoing commitment to innovation and public relevance make her an outstanding representative of excellence in women’s scientific research. With continued support, she is poised to lead transformative contributions in neuroscience, psychiatry, and health policy.