Rossana Rosa Porto

Rossana Rosa Porto is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Western Sydney University's School of Medicine, working in the laboratory of Behavioural Neuroscience. She holds a PhD in Biological Sciences: Neuroscience and has established research expertise in molecular chaperones, memory mechanisms, and non-pharmacological interventions for neurodegenerative conditions.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Biological Sciences: Neuroscience
• Master in Biological Sciences: Neuroscience
• Bachelor in Physical Education from UNISINOS, Brazil (2008)

Dr. Porto's research focuses on the role of HSP70 molecular chaperones in memory and neurodegenerative diseases. Her work integrates behavioral neuroscience with molecular approaches, particularly examining how exercise and heat shock therapies can induce protective brain responses. She has investigated HSP70 induction through different exercise intensities and adrenergic receptor activation, and explored infrared light-induced HSP70 as a potential Alzheimer's treatment during her time at the University of Sydney.

Her research interests span Behavioural Neuroscience, Genetic mouse models, Memory mechanisms, Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Exercise Physiology, with particular emphasis on developing non-pharmacological interventions for brain disorders.

Dr. Porto has extensive research experience including three years working with Prof. Tim Karl (2019-2022) investigating genetic mouse models and gene-environment interactions in brain disorders, and prior research on obesity, diabetes, and inflammation during her master's studies.

She is currently developing her own research project using heat shock as a treatment approach for neurodegenerative diseases and schizophrenia, building on her expertise in HSP70 molecular chaperones and their therapeutic potential.