Researcher from i3S awarded international prize in genetics

The i3S - Research Institute and Health Innovation of University of Porto (U. Porto) is on the spotlight once again for the best reason: Joana Loureiro, a PhD student has won the 2017 edition of the excellence award for genetic research assigned by the American Society of Genetics (SHG).

This is the first time that a Portuguese researcher is awarded this challenging prize.

Joana Loureiro was awarded the Charles J. Epstein Trainee Award for Excellence in Human Genetics Research for her findings on the mutation that causes a neurodegenerative condition - espinocerebelosa - which affects Portuguese people, the SCA37.

According to the author, cited by U.Porto, this investigation was the "result of a multidisciplinary team work" and " is related to the cerebellar ataxia, we are trying to find the genetic heritage that leads to the neurodegeneration impairment".

Part of this investigation was already published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.

For the young researcher, receiving this competing award "was, with no doubt, a major personal and professional accomplishment. This is an honour both for myself and my team".

This year, 500 eligible projects were submitted to this premium. Researchers were evaluated according to their scientific communications delivered at the Society's annual meeting.

The awarded PhD students are Joana Loureiro, from i3S- University of Porto, Joseph Shin, from Johns Hopkins University, EUA, and Nasa Sinnott-Armstrong, from Stanford University, USA.