Catarina F Almeida

Over the last 11 years, I have gained extensive experience in the field of Unconventional T Cell Biology, having published 13 original research publications in this field.
I started developing this interest during my MSc (UoLisbon-Portugal-2009-2010) in Dr. Luis Graça’s group (UoLisbon), where I studied mechanisms capable of inducing and maintaining immune tolerance in allergy and autoimmune disease and described the functional plasticity of various Natural Killer T (NKT) cell subsets and their role in immune regulation. During my PhD in Prof Godfrey’s Lab (Peter Doherty Institute-UoMelb 2011-2015), I discovered and characterized novel subsets of Unconventional T cells with distinct antigen reactivity and have shown that these cells can express a highly diverse TCR repertoire and utilize broader mechanisms to recognize their cognate antigens than previously assumed. I continue to work as an ECR  in the Godfrey lab, which is indisputably one of the best in the Unconventional T cell biology, driving independent and collaborative research to fill in the gaps of knowledge in this field. My research has been crucial to set the basis for a successfully funded ARC Discovery project, and a NHMRC project grant within the lab.
I have been the meeting coordinator for the Immunology-theme-meeting-seminars in the PDI as well as an organiser of the Victoria Infection and Immunity young Investigator Symposium. After being the co-chair for the Faculty-of-Medicine-Dentistry-and-Health-Science-ECR (MDHS-ECR) Network in 2018, I now maintain my involvement with this network aiming to advocate for ECRs development support and wellbeing. I have a great passion for Policy Change, Science Outreach and Science Translation, having recently done an internship with the Technology transfer team of UoM.