Christiano Alves

Christiano Alves, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh, specifically within the Division of Experimental Pathology. His research program integrates cutting-edge genome editing technologies with applied physiology to develop novel therapies for neuromuscular and metabolic diseases.

Dr. Alves received his BS and PhD from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, completing his doctoral studies in 2017. He then completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he worked at the Joslin Diabetes Center on projects related to exercise and metabolism, and later at the Center for Genomic Medicine focusing on neuromuscular diseases and CRISPR technologies under the mentorship of Dr. Benjamin Kleinstiver.

His research interests lie at the intersection of genome editing and applied physiology, with a specific focus on developing treatments for neurodegenerative conditions including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The Alves Lab leverages expertise in molecular metabolism and muscle biology to optimize genome editing approaches for therapeutic applications.

• Genome Editing and CRISPR Technologies
• Neuromuscular Diseases
• Neurodegenerative Disorders
• Metabolic Diseases
• Therapeutic Development
• Translational Medicine

Dr. Alves has established an active research program with multiple publications in high-impact journals, focusing on the development and optimization of base editing technologies for treating genetic disorders. His work demonstrates a strong trajectory in advancing genome editing approaches toward clinical applications for severe diseases.

As a recently appointed independent investigator, Dr. Alves is building a research team focused on pushing the boundaries of genome editing therapeutics. His lab combines physiological expertise with advanced gene editing techniques to address significant unmet medical needs in neurodegenerative conditions.

The Alves Lab is actively seeking motivated students and postdoctoral researchers interested in genome editing, neuromuscular diseases, and translational research. Prospective trainees should have a strong foundation in molecular biology and an interest in developing innovative therapeutic approaches for severe diseases.