I have been part of the brain barriers community since 2015, and over the past decade this field has become the foundation of my scientific journey. My research focuses on understanding CNS barriers in health and disease, and beyond the science itself, this community has made my path truly special. Every meeting has reinforced how welcoming the field is, seeing senior and junior scientists exchange ideas, collaborate, and support one another. I feel fortunate to have grown up scientifically in this environment.
As a trainee member of the IBBS Steering Council, I have been able to contribute actively to strengthening this community. Together with Ana Raquel Santa Maria, an incredible teammate, I co-established the IBBS LinkedIn platform, which now connects more than 1,500 members and keeps our global network informed and engaged. We also run the IBBS Horizons Global Research Rounds, which have reached more than 800 researchers worldwide and created opportunities for early-career scientists to share their work. I am also part of the organizing team for the GRC on Brain Barriers 2026.
Looking forward, I aim to build my own lab and contribute scientifically as a principal investigator in this field. My commitment is to keep science at the center, to mentor the next generation, and to carry the culture of this community forward by passing on what I have learned to those who will shape its future. We also plan to expand IBBS’s online presence with new teaching components and mentoring opportunities that will help connect and support researchers at all career stages around the world.
