Ana Rita Vaz is an Assistant Professor at Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon (FFUL). Ana is graduated in Biochemistry (2006) and holds a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology (2010), from University of Lisbon. Since 2011, her scientific research at Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa) is focused on alterations in cells, namely in motor neurons, microglia and astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases, with particular attention on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The overall aim is to explore the molecular mechanisms associated with neuroinflammatory signaling pathways and dysregulated neuronal-glia cross-talk using in vitro (2D/3D systems), ex vivo (organotypic cultures) and in vivo (transgenic mice) ALS models. She intends to discover biomarkers and to develop regenerative strategies based on microRNAs targeting. Currently, she is engaged in a project that aims to develop secretome/exosome-based therapies that target microRNAs in ALS cellular and mice models. Another goal is to engineer hybrid exosomes as microRNAs nanocarriers to specific nerve cells. Ana has authored 32 peer reviewed papers in the field of neurosciences, neuroinflammation and neurochemistry (ORCID: 0000-0002-3418-3269) and has an h-index of 20. She obtained the FELASA Cat B training course (at FFUL) to work with mice. She has supervised PhD and Master students as well as Research Fellows. Teaching areas: Human Anatomy and Neurosciences.