My name is Alexandra Ferreira Oliveira, and I am originally from Portugal. I pursued a degree in
Neuroscience, Cognition, and Behavioural Sciences at the University Paul Sabatier of Toulouse in
France. During my academic journey, I had the opportunity to complete several internships that
deeply nurtured my research interest, particularly in the development of innovative therapeutic
strategies. I also completed my Master’s thesis on the potential use of enteric glial cells as a
treatment for stroke.
After graduating, I worked as a scientific research engineer on a gene therapy project for giant
axon neuropathy. This professional experience, combined with my academic background,
further fuelled my curiosity and reinforced my desire to contribute more actively to scientific
progress. Over the years, this growing passion for research naturally led me to pursue a PhD.
As part of the MSCA DN SECRET DC8 project, I am a PhD student at the University Hospital Essen
in Germany. Our team is primarily using a murine stroke model to strongly focus on the function
of extracellular vesicles released and isolated from mesenchymal stem cells and their role in
angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and plasticity after stroke. My research topic is focused on
developing a human organoid model to study the role of the extracellular environment and
extracellular vesicles in neuron-glia interactions and neuroplasticity after stroke.
Most of my work will be carried out using 3D cell cultures to create a human neural vascularized
organoid capable of accurately reproducing the cellular composition, the extracellular
environment, and the mechanisms that occur after a stroke. The outcome will help to evaluate
therapy-potential or EVs in a human model.
Ultimately, my research aims to address a major, still under-explored issue in the field: studying
post-injury neuroplasticity and mechanisms in human tissue. Importantly, my project also seeks
to replace animal experimentation in stroke studies, in line with the 3Rs principles (Replacement,
Reduction, and Refinement).
Being part of the SECRET DC8 project offers me the opportunity to collaborate with curious and
inspiring scientists who are committed to exploring the therapeutic potential of vesicles.
Through these collaborations, I hope to make a meaningful contribution by applying the models
developed by my team to help advance this promising vesicle-based therapy.