Rui Castro complete his PhD degree in Pharmacy (Biochemistry) by the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon (FF/UL) in 2006, having spent a total of 12 months at the Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, MN, USA. In 2007, he was awarded with a European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Grant to study the role of microRNAs during liver regeneration at the University of Minnesota. Castro is Assistant Professor at FF/UL since 2015. The research being developed by Castro combines his solid background in the modulation of liver cell function by bile acids with his most recent discoveries in the microRNA field, to answer fundamental questions on the pathogenesis, diagnostic, and therapeutic targeting of liver diseases. In particular, the role of microRNAs and extracellular vesicles in inter-organ communication in the setting of obesity and metabolic disease; as well as its exploration for the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and prevention of liver disease, constitutes a key research objective. He is member of the Executive Committee of imed and Educational Committee member at both EASL and United European Gastroenterology.