Claudia Barros

Claudia Barros is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Principal Investigator at the Peninsula Medical School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth. She leads the Barros Team, focusing on neural stem cell biology and brain tumourigenesis using Drosophila and mammalian models.

Education:

• Diploma in Biology/Genetics, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa (1998, 1st class)
• PhD in Neural Stem Cell Division and Cell Fate, Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge (2003)
• Postdoctoral Research, The Scripps Research Institute, USA (2009)
• Postdoctoral Research, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford (2010)
• Leverhulme Early Career Fellow (2010–2013)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP, 2014)

Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing neural stem cell quiescence, reactivation, identity, and transformation into brain tumour-initiating cells. Using Drosophila as an in vivo model, her lab investigates signaling pathways such as Hippo, Insulin Receptor, and TNF, translating findings into human brain tumour tissues and patient-derived stem cells. She is part of the Plymouth Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence sponsored by Brain Tumour Research, UK.

Recent publications highlight her work on ribogenesis in tumour growth (EMBO Reports, 2024), TNF signaling in mitotic entry after CNS damage (Cell Reports, 2021), and STRIPAK regulation of neural stem cell reactivation (Cell Reports, 2019). Her research spans developmental neurobiology, cancer stem cells, and translational neuroscience, with strong emphasis on functional genetics and imaging.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship
• Higher Education Academy Fellow (UK)
• Supervised student awards: First-place poster and third-place 3MT prize at Plymouth conferences

She has supervised 6 PhDs (as Director of Studies) and 2 MRes students to completion, with 6 current PhD students. She has held leadership roles including Deputy Director of the Doctoral College, Faculty of Health, and Peninsula Medical School Postgraduate Research Coordinator. She teaches neuroscience, cancer biology, and stem cell development across medical, dental, and biomedical science programs. Her lab is funded by Brain Tumour Research, BBSRC, The Leverhulme Trust, and other major bodies. She is active in peer review and professional societies including the British Society for Cell Biology and European Association for Cancer Research.