Our members
Patrícia Gama
PI
patgama@usp.br
Full Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB-USP). Holds degrees in Biological Sciences and Biology Education from the University of São Paulo (1991), a Ph.D. in Sciences (Cell and Tissue Biology) from USP (1997), and completed postdoctoral training at New York University, where also served as a Visiting Professor (2001). Research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating growth and development of the gastrointestinal mucosa, with particular emphasis on experimental models of early-life nutritional manipulation, including breastfeeding and weaning. Expertise encompasses Cell and Tissue Biology, gastrointestinal development, nutritional programming, and epithelial biology. Maintains a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate education, scientific outreach, and professional training, including continuing education programs for public-school teachers and training in laboratory animal research. Served as President of the Brazilian Society for Cell Biology (SBBC) from 2016 to 2021 and previously held several positions on its executive board. Also served on the Executive Committee of the International Federation for Cell Biology (IFCB) from 2012 to 2022. Currently serves on the SBBC Advisory Board, the International Committee of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), and as Associate Editor of Cell Biology International. Leadership activities include service on the Executive Board of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at USP, chairing the Academic Activities Committee (CAA), coordinating graduate programs, contributing to the National Council for the Control of Animal Experimentation (CONCEA), coordinating the University of São Paulo Animal Facilities Network, and serving on the Morphology Advisory Committee of the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Currently participates in national collaborative research initiatives, including INCT Model3D, and serves as a collaborating researcher at the Technological Center of the Brazilian Marine Corps (CeTecCFN).
Cruz Alberto Mendoza Rigonati
Lab Technician
mrtli@usp.br
Cruz is a lab technician of the BDE lab since 2002, being responsible for helping the experimental procedures done in the lab.
Fabiana de Abreu Silva
Master Student
Biologist at the Biosciences Institute of the São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP (2023). He was part of the BCSTM (Brazilian Central of Studies on Ticks Morphology) research group, coordinated by Profa. Dr. Maria Izabel Camargo-Mathias. Undertook Scientific Initiation in the area of Morphology (2022-2023). He completed an internship at the Bioenergy Research Institute (IPBEN) in the area of Microbiology. Carried out the Update Program of the Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, at the Digestive Epithelial Biology Laboratory (BED LAB) - ICB/USP, coordinated by Prof. Dr Patrícia Gama, where she performed histology, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry techniques on stomach samples. He is currently doing his master in the Systems Biology program at ICB-USP, under the guidance of Profa. Dr Patrícia Gama.
Project: Localization and function of FGF10 and FGFR2 in the gastric mucosa of rats during postnatal development.
Isadora Campos Rattes
Collaborating Researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of São Paulo
isadora.rattes@usp.br
Biomedical Scientist with a Bachelor's degree from the University of São Paulo (USP) and a Ph.D. in Tissue and Developmental Biology from the Systems Biology Graduate Program at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, USP. Currently works in Data Analytics at Aljava Biotech, focusing on the development and implementation of precision medicine solutions in oncology through advanced data-driven approaches and biomarker-based testing.
PhD. Project: Characterization of the stem-cell niche in the gastric mucosa of in development and adult rats, and the role of early weaning in this cell population.
Luciana Harumi Osaki
Collaborating Researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of São Paulo
luciana.osaki@usp.br
Holds Bachelor's and Licentiate Degrees in Biological Sciences from the University of São Paulo (2003/2004) and a Ph.D. in Sciences (Cell and Tissue Biology) from the University of São Paulo (USP). Has extensive experience in the field of Morphology, with a focus on Histology and Cell Biology. Research interests include organoids, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture, cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, gastric biology, gastric atrophy and metaplasia, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cell signaling, fasting, and early weaning. Currently serves as co-founder and scientist at Aljava Biotech.
PhD Project: The role of food, transforming growth factor alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor in cell proliferation and differentiation during postnatal development of rat gastric epithelium.
Marcos Aurélio Santos da Costa
PhD
marcosaureliosc@usp.br
Biomedical Scientist graduated from the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) (2018), with a Master's degree in Morphotechnology from UFPE (2021) and a Ph.D. in Sciences (Cell, Tissue, and Developmental Biology) from the University of São Paulo (USP) (2026). Participated in the Inclusion and Belonging Committee of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB-USP) as a Student Representative. Completed activities within the Teaching Assistant Program (PAE) and the Pedagogical Support Program (PAP) in Tissue Biology at the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, ICB-USP. Currently, is a member of the Digestive Epithelia Biology Laboratory and Research Group (BED LAB – CNPq) at ICB-USP, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Patrícia Gama. Associate member of the Brazilian Society for Cell Biology (SBBC) and the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB). Works in the field of Morphology, with emphasis on Histology, focusing primarily on General and Systemic Histology. Has experience in research, teaching, outreach activities, and academic leadership and representation.
PhD Project: Characterization of the pericriptal extracellular matrix and the role of myofibroblasts in the intestinal stem cell niche: effects of early weaning.
Mariana Akemi Alves Kuriyama
Scientific Initiation
Pharmacy undergraduate student, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo.
Project: "Effects of corticosterone on myofibroblast distribution in gastric mucosa during postnatal development".
Vilma Regina Martins
Collaborating Researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of São Paulo
vilma.martins@usp.br
Graduated in Pharmacy and Biochemistry from the University of São Paulo (1984), master's degree (1989) and doctorate (1993) in Biological Sciences (Biochemistry) from the University of São Paulo. She is currently a Collaborating Researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (2021). Superintendent of Research and head of the Tumor Biology and Biomarkers group at A.C.Camargo Cancer Center (2011-20210. Supervisor of post-graduation courses at Fundação Antônio Prudente. Former President of the Brazilian Society of Cell Biology, Council Member of the International Society for Neurochemistry (2010-2013), Chair of the Committee for Aid, Education in Neurochemistry of the International Society for Neurochemistry and International Fellow of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (2005-2010). He has experience in General Biology, with emphasis on Cellular and Molecular Biology, working mainly on the following topics: tumor biology, biomarkers, cancer and prion diseases.
Project: Patient-derived organoids for the development of functional precision medicine.
Viviane Rosa de Oliveira
Ph.D. Student
Graduated in Biomedicine from Universidade Anhembi Morumbi (2018), completed Scientific Initiation - FAPESP (2017-2018) and Master's in Science (Cellular, Tissue and Developmental Biology) from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of São Paulo (2022). He received a FAPESP Technical Training III scholarship (2022-2023). She is currently a PhD student in the Postgraduate Program in Systems Biology at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of São Paulo. He has experience in the area of Clinical Analysis and Biology in general, with an emphasis on cellular, molecular biology and histology.
Project: Characterization of the intestine-pancreas axis in relation to early weaning in the development of type 1 Diabetes mellitus
