Melisa Baptista

Dr. Melisa Baptista is a Senior Lecturer in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the University of Chester's Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society. With over 50 students supervised in dissertation projects, she specializes in neurogenetics and cell modeling of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's Disease, ALS, and Dystonia. Her research focuses on gene expression profiles and mechanisms of disease progression, with contributions to identifying SNCA locus triplications as a cause of familial Parkinson's.

• PhD in Genetics, Imperial College London
• MSc in Human Molecular Genetics, Imperial College London
• PGCE in Higher Education, Sheffield Hallam University
• BSc (Hons) in Genetics & Microbiology, University of Leeds

Her research explores:

• Transcriptional regulation in neurodegenerative diseases
• Creation of cellular and animal models for disease mechanisms
• Dysregulation of antioxidant pathways in ALS
• Role of TorsinA mutations in dystonia
• Interaction between Parkin and Alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson's

Articles highlight her work on:

• Genetic causes of neurodegeneration
• Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress
• Proteasome inhibition in dopamine-related toxicity
• Chromosome 21's role in Down syndrome cardiac defects

Professional affiliations include:

• Member of the Genetics Society
• Active supporter of Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK)
• Contributor to the Health and Wellbeing Research and Knowledge Exchange Institute