Dr. Moara Lemos | Cell Structure Analysis | Best Researcher Award
Dr. Moara Lemos, UFRJ/CENABIO, Brazil
Dr. Moara Lemos is a Brazilian parasitologist and structural biologist known for her expertise in protozoology, especially focusing on trypanosomatids. Born in Carmo do Rio Claro, Brazil, she earned her PhD in Microbiology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Her work bridges advanced imaging technologies, such as cryo-electron tomography, with molecular parasitology, exploring host-parasite interactions in fish and amphibians. Currently based at Institut Pasteur and UFRJ, she leads cutting-edge projects in cellular ultrastructure, nanobiotechnology, and the molecular characterization of parasites. She has received multiple research scholarships and international recognition through high-impact publications and awards. A highly collaborative scientist, Dr. Lemos has contributed significantly to parasitology, cryo-microscopy, and biomedicine, making her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Publication Profile:
✅ Strengths for the Award:
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Extensive Expertise in Parasitology and Cell Biology
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Specialized in protozoology, with deep research in Trypanosoma species affecting both aquatic vertebrates and humans.
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Combines taxonomy, ultrastructure, phylogeny, and host-parasite interactions, contributing significantly to neglected areas in parasitology.
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Cutting-edge Methodological Proficiency
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Strong command over electron microscopy, including cryo-electron tomography, FIB-SEM, and correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM).
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Her techniques are pivotal in advancing the 3D visualization of cellular and viral structures, which is particularly impactful in infectious disease research.
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Translational Research Impact
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Active participation in COVID-19-related structural virology, aiming to guide vaccine and therapeutic development.
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Current projects focus on flagellar biogenesis, nanobiomaterials, and telepathology, integrating basic science with clinical relevance.
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Collaborative and International Research Network
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Collaboration with prestigious institutions such as the Institut Pasteur, João Lobo Antunes Institute, EMBO, and CBPF.
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Involved in multidisciplinary teams with researchers like Dorit Hanein and Philippe Bastin, increasing the credibility and reach of her research.
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Recognized Scientific Output
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Publications in high-impact journals like Nature Communications, Journal of Cell Biology, *
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🛠️ Areas for Improvement:
While her qualifications are substantial, a few areas could further elevate her candidacy:
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Greater Independent Leadership on High-Profile Projects
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While she is a co-author on several collaborative works, leading more first-author or corresponding-author publications in top-tier journals would further establish her scientific independence.
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Increased Outreach or Policy Engagement
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Expanding her influence beyond academic research—e.g., contributing to national or international policy on parasitic diseases, public health, or biodiversity conservation—could broaden impact.
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Clearer Documentation of Teaching/Mentorship Impact
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While the CV lists student supervision (MSc, PhD), a dedicated summary on mentorship outcomes (e.g., students’ careers, theses supervised) would strengthen the case.
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Visibility in International Conferences as Speaker
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More keynote/plenary presentations or chairing roles at major international meetings would reinforce her leadership in the field.
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🎓 Education:
Dr. Lemos holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), where she also completed a Master’s degree in Zoology. She earned her PhD in Science (Microbiology) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), with a dissertation on the taxonomy and host-parasite interactions of trypanosomes in Brazilian fish. Her postgraduate journey continued with multiple postdoctoral fellowships at institutions like the Institut Pasteur (France), CBPF (Brazil), and UFRJ, specializing in parasitology, biotechnology, and cryo-electron microscopy. She also pursued extensive complementary training in microscopy, cryo-ET, and molecular biology through EMBO and SBMM courses. Her education reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation combining zoology, microbiology, biotechnology, and imaging technologies—crucial for investigating infectious diseases at a cellular and molecular level.
🎓 Education:
Dr. Lemos holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), where she also completed a Master’s degree in Zoology. She earned her PhD in Science (Microbiology) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), with a dissertation on the taxonomy and host-parasite interactions of trypanosomes in Brazilian fish. Her postgraduate journey continued with multiple postdoctoral fellowships at institutions like the Institut Pasteur (France), CBPF (Brazil), and UFRJ, specializing in parasitology, biotechnology, and cryo-electron microscopy. She also pursued extensive complementary training in microscopy, cryo-ET, and molecular biology through EMBO and SBMM courses. Her education reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation combining zoology, microbiology, biotechnology, and imaging technologies—crucial for investigating infectious diseases at a cellular and molecular level.
🏅 Awards and Honors:
Dr. Moara Lemos has received numerous accolades throughout her career. She won the Best Poster Presentation at the Institut Pasteur and the VIII International Symposium of Fish Parasites, along with the Best Oral Presentation Award at Sembio 2007. She was also recognized at the IV Annual Meeting of the National Institute of Science and Technology in Structural Biology and Bioimaging (INBEB). She has been a scholarship holder from multiple funding bodies, including CNPq, CAPES, FAPERJ, and FAPEMIG, for her postgraduate and postdoctoral research. In addition, she contributed to groundbreaking studies published in Nature Communications, Journal of Cell Biology, and American Journal of Human Genetics, earning visibility in high-impact journals. These honors highlight her impactful contributions to biomedical research, particularly in parasitology and cryo-structural biology.
🔬 Research Focus:
Dr. Lemos focuses on parasitic protozoa, especially trypanosomes, examining their ultrastructure, taxonomy, host-parasite dynamics, and intraflagellar transport mechanisms. She employs advanced imaging technologies, including cryo-electron tomography, to study the 3D cellular architecture of infectious organisms like Trypanosoma cruzi. Her research expands to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, developing cryo-microscopy workflows to analyze virus-antibody interactions. She also explores nanobiomaterials’ interactions with eukaryotic cells, combining cell biology, structural biology, and electron microscopy. Current projects include implementing telemicroscopy in Brazil’s public health system (SUS) and developing AI tools for pathology imaging. Her goal is not only to advance scientific knowledge but also to translate findings into public health and ecological conservation strategies. Dr. Lemos’ integrative and technological approach to biology makes her research highly innovative and socially relevant.
📚 Publications Top Notes:
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📘 Advances, challenges, and applications of cryo‐electron tomography workflows for three‐dimensional cellular imaging of infectious pathogens – Journal of Microscopy (2025)
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🧪 Novel ACE2 nanoparticles universally block SARS-CoV-2 variants in the human respiratory tract – bioRxiv (2022)
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🔬 Morphological control enables nanometer-scale dissection of cell-cell signaling complexes – Nature Communications (2022)
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🧬 Timing and original features of flagellum assembly in trypanosomes during development in the tsetse fly – Parasites & Vectors (2020)
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🐸 Caracterização morfológica e morfométrica dos tripanossomas de anuros do Centro-Oeste brasileiro – Revista Brasileira de Zoociências (2019)
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🧫 Biallelic Mutations in LRRC56…Cause Mucociliary Clearance and Laterality Defects – American Journal of Human Genetics (2018)
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🧭 Bidirectional intraflagellar transport is restricted to two sets of microtubule doublets in the trypanosome flagellum – Journal of Cell Biology (2018)
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📗 Contribuição ao estudo da biologia dos Tripanossomas de Anuros neotropicais – Thesis, UFJF (2017)
🏁 Conclusion:
Dr. Moara Lemos demonstrates a rare combination of technical excellence, innovative research, international collaboration, and consistent productivity in fields that have both scientific importance and global health relevance. Her research in trypanosome biology, electron microscopy, and pathogen-cell interaction is critical for both basic science and applied biomedical research.