Helena Vazão

Biography

 Helena Vazão received her PhD in Cellular Biology (2012) from University of Coimbra (PT) and in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA). She developed platforms to translate scientific discoveries in medical applications. The main area of study involved vascular diseases, diabetes and myocardial infarction. She described the first platform for high-throughput identification of small molecules that affect human embryonic vascular development. The discovery includes the combination of toxicology and microfluidics technology. Several papers have been published as result of this expertise. Prior to working at HeartGenetics, Helena worked as Post-Doctoral researcher at the Biomaterials and Stem Cell-Based Therapeutics Laboratory from Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology. Her project was focused in the development of approaches to improve the differentiation, maturation and biological activity of vascular cells derived from human stem cells. She also has a previous experience in Hematology – red blood cells abnormalities. The project was developed in two Hospital Hematology Units (Coimbra (PT) and Oxford (U.K.)). At the same time, she was involved in the development, implementation (planning, theoretical and practical training of doctors and nurses) and laboratorial execution of a hemoglobinopathies screening in Portugal.  

Research Interest

 Clinical science