Carlos Rafael-Pita is a PhD student at NOVA Medical School, researching how a (poly)phenol-enriched diet modulates gut microbiota and neuroinflammation in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. He holds an MSc in Biomedical Research from the Faculty of Medicine of Coimbra, where he studied lysosomal dysfunction in endothelial cells during heart failure. He has worked on multiple research projects, including investigating the anti-inflammatory potential of bioactive compounds in endothelial and animal models. His expertise spans cell biology, immunology, metabolism, and molecular nutrition. Passionate about inflammation-driven pathologies, he explores dietary interventions for neurodegenerative diseases. Beyond research, he is dedicated to science communication, using illustrations and digital media to make complex biomedical concepts accessible. Through visual storytelling, he bridges the gap between science and the public, promoting a clearer understanding of health and disease.
