Maria João Gama graduated in Pharmaceutical Sciences by the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon (FFUL), in 1981. In 1983 she started working as a Research Assistant at the Department of Biochemistry in FFUL were she took the first steps in experimental research and teaching. She went on to complete her PhD degree in Pharmacy (Molecular Biology and Genetics) by the FFUL in 2001, having spent a total of 5 years as a PhD student at the Laboratory of Biochemistry, Gulbenkian Institute of Science, Oeiras, Portugal. During her PhD degree, MJ Gama primary interests focused on the transcriptional regulation of mammalian gene expression, particularly regarding the role of retinoic acid on the regulation of sexual dimorphic hepatic CYP450 expression. In 2001 she was appointed as Assistant Professor at the Department Biochemistry at the FFUL, Portugal. At the same time, MJ Gama started to become interested in establishing herself in the area of Neurosciences, and she shifted her research focus into the role of Drug Metabolizing Enzymes in neurodegenerative diseases, namely the molecular mechanisms and biology of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Presently, MJ Gama is a Full Member at iMed.ULisboa and Investigator in the Cellular Function and Therapeutic Targeting Group. MJ Gama has secured funding as PI for her research projects in national competitive calls. Gama’s most recent publications, arising directly from her own research, have contributed for understanding the neuronal protective role of Glutathione S-transferase pi against dopaminergic cell death using an experimental mouse model of Parkinson’s disease.