Ana Catarina Ferreira
Meet Ana Catarina Ferreria, a Research Assistant in the Stathopoulou Group. Catarina gained a BSc in Biochemistry and an MSc in Health Sciences from the University of Minho, Portugal, and studied neurodegeneration and its underlying mechanisms before her interest in cardiovascular biology led to her joining the Stathopoulou group. Her current research focuses on how epigenetic factors contribute to congenital heart disease.
Tell us a little about your current research
Our lab investigates the fundamental biological mechanisms that control normal cardiovascular development. In particular, we study how epigenetic factors contribute to Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). As a research assistant in the Stathopoulou group, I am exploring the role of CHD7 (a chromatin remodeller implicated in CHARGE Syndrome) in heart development. We use mouse embryonic stem cells to model cardiogenesis and underpin CHD7’s regulatory network. By identifying its molecular partners and downstream targets, we hope to better understand how CHD7 contributes to cardiac development and how its disruption may lead to CHD.
What inspired you to pursue this field of research?
During my masters, I worked within the field of neuroscience, studying mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. I am now focused on heart development, investigating how cells establish and maintain their specific identity to contribute to the formation of the heart. At first glance, these fields may seem unrelated, but both involve understanding the mechanisms that govern cell fate, function and survival.
I am relatively new to developmental biology, but it has always been a field that fascinates me. I am particularly intrigued by how various biological processes are precisely timed and spatially coordinated to drive embryogenesis. The opportunity to deepen our understanding of heart morphogenesis and shed light on the onset and mechanisms of CHD, the most common birth defect, further motivated me to pursue this area of research.
What is one of the key moments or discoveries during your research career that made you stop and think ‘this is why I do what I do’?
The process of structuring research questions, finding the right methods, and interpreting the results is something I truly enjoy. Two moments, in particular, stand out: During my masters, I had the chance to image the beautiful Purkinje Cells and their neuronal afferents. I found the complexity of the cerebellar circuitry to be breathtaking! More recently, in collaboration with Shankar’s group, we did live imaging of calcium dynamics in beating cardiomyocytes. Seeing the cells lighting up in real time was just like the flickering lights of a Christmas tree – incredible!
How has being a part of the IDRM community helped shape your research and/or career development?
The IDRM community fosters a collaborative space where ideas and projects are openly shared, and everyone is happy to help you in driving your project forward! Being in such a supportive environment has allowed me to bring fresh perspectives to lab projects, refine methodologies, and even establish new collaborations. The IDRM community makes it easy to interact with others and to learn from their experiences, which has been helpful in shaping my career and has also highlighted the different paths one can take in academia.
How do you like to relax and recharge outside of the lab?
Outside of the lab, I love staying active. I enjoy going to boxing and dance classes, and I am always up for trying new activities. Most recently, I tried squash, and it was a lot of fun! I am also a big fan of board games and enjoy attending the IDRM Boardgames Night whenever I can. I particularly enjoy unwinding with a book in my cozy book-corner at home!
What would be the theme song to your life right now?
At the moment, it has to be Deslocado by NAPA—Portugal’s Eurovision pick for the year. Can’t get it out of my head!