Raquel Fernandes

Raquel Fernandes holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Minho and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry for Health from NOVA University Lisbon. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedicine and Health Sciences at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) in Braga, Portugal, under the supervision of Dr. Agostinho Carvalho. Her research focuses on uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive susceptibility to invasive fungal infections, with particular emphasis on how immunometabolic regulation shapes innate antifungal immunity. Raquel’s current work aims to clarify the role of the ACOD1/itaconate pathway in modulating antifungal immune responses, as well as how genetic variations in this axis may influence individual susceptibility to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.