Edna F.R. Pereira

Edna F.R. Pereira is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She specializes in neuropharmacology, toxicology, and synaptic transmission research, with a focus on nicotinic receptors and organophosphorus toxicity.

• Education:
  • Pharm.D in Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1987)
  • MSc in Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (1989)
  • PhD in Neuropharmacology, University of Maryland at Baltimore (1996)

Dr. Pereira’s research explores the neuroprotective mechanisms of galantamine, a nicotinic allosteric potentiating ligand used in Alzheimer’s treatment, against organophosphorus compounds. Her work includes characterizing nicotinic receptor binding sites, studying synaptic transmission modulation, and developing animal models for neurotoxicity. She has contributed to patents for galantamine-based countermeasures and identified GPR35’s role in seizure resistance.

Her publications reveal trends in organophosphorus toxicity, nicotinic receptor modulation, and synaptic transmission, with subfields spanning developmental neurotoxicity and medical countermeasure development.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Fellowship, Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (1990-1992)
  • Fellowship, Coordenação de Aperfeiçamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (1989-1990)

Dr. Pereira has served as a reviewer for NIH, VA, CDC, and international grant panels, and as Director of the Division of Translational Toxicology (2018-2021). Her work bridges pharmacology, toxicology, and neuroscience to address neurodegenerative and toxin-induced disorders.