Debora Alexandra Dias Marques

Débora Alexandra Dias Marques is a scientist and mycologist with an ambition that transcends the lab. With a strong academic foundation, including a Bachelor’s in Bioanalysis from de Central University of Venezuela and a Master’s in Medical Microbiology from de NOVA University of Lisbon, she is preparing to start her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT), NOVA Lisbon.

What truly consumes and energizes Débora is medical mycology, and everything related to the diagnosis of fungal diseases and antifungal resistance. Currently, her research is focused on the field of drug repurposing against Candida albicans. During her PhD, she aims to expand this approach to other Candida species and thoroughly evaluate the pharmacodynamics, evaluation of drug efficacy and drug cytotoxicity.

She aspires for Mycology to grow and be more extensively researched in Portugal. She dreams of a scientific ecosystem where national-level statistics are collected and analyzed, covering everything from common fungal diseases like dermatomycosis to the most severe and often neglected systemic infections, such as histoplasmosis, invasive aspergillosis, and cryptococcosis.

Essentially, Débora doesn’t just study fungi; she is dedicated to raising the visibility and dignifying this crucial field of health. Her driving force is the need to generate life-saving knowledge, ensuring that fungal diseases receive the attention and research they truly deserve.