Maria Helena Caria

Maria Helena Caria is a资深研究员 at the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Sciences (Institute of Biosystems and Integrative Sciences) and affiliated with the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal's School of Health. She holds a PhD in Biology (Genetics, 1997) and extensive postdoctoral training in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology. Her research focuses on genetic etiology of hearing loss, epidemiological studies of age-related hearing impairment, and molecular genetics of hereditary deafness. She has coordinated numerous national and international projects (e.g., International Genes for Stuttering, TINNET COST Action) and published over 60 peer-reviewed articles.

• Education:
• PhD in Biology - Genetics (1997, University of Lisbon)
• Postdoc in Human Genetics (2000, Center for Genetics and Molecular Biology)
• Specializations in Education, Infection Control, and Molecular Biology

Her research interests include:
- Genetic and epigenetic basis of sensorineural hearing loss
- Biomarkers for tinnitus and presbycusis
- Population genetics studies in Portugal and São Tomé & Príncipe
- Genotype-phenotype correlations in hereditary deafness cases

Recent work highlights include:
- Systematic reviews on tinnitus biomarkers
- Epidemiological studies of hearing loss in elderly populations
- Identification of novel mutations in GJB2, SLC26A4, and other deafness-related genes

She has advised 7 graduate students and collaborated on EU-funded projects (e.g., H2020 Twinning, Erasmus+). Her work bridges molecular genetics with clinical audiology, emphasizing translational research to improve diagnosis and rehabilitation strategies for hearing-impaired patients.