Nombre: Susana Romao
Título: PhD, MBA, Project Manager
Institución: Vizzuality, a private technology agency specialized in environmental data visualization
País de origen: Portugal
Entrevista
¿En qué año estuviste en el CEINBIO y cuáles fueron los motivos para venir a MVD?
In 2007, I had the pleasure of spending a few months at CEINBIO in Montevideo as part of my Ph.D. studies under Ana Tomas. Our lab had already collaborated with Rafael Radi, and I was eager to spend more time with his team, studying Leishmania's redox system. Having previously participated in a workshop at Facultad de Medicina in 2004, I jumped at the chance to further my research with the renowned Radi. Looking back, it was an incredible opportunity that I'm grateful to have had.
En lo científico, ¿qué te aportó el CEINBIO y cuáles fueron los hitos más destacables de tu estadía?
My work at CEINBIO focused on finding out if Leishmania cells overexpressing cytosolic peroxiredoxins had a protective effect upon ONOO- exposure. It greatly supported one of the main findings of my thesis, that both L. infantum cytosolic 2-Cys PRXs display peroxynitrite reductase activity and that their overexpression enhances the parasites’ antioxidant capacity. These studies established a direct link between L. infantum oxidative defense and infectivity towards both murine and human cells.
En lo personal, ¿qué recuerdos tienes de tu visita en MVD?
Looking back on my visit to Montevideo, I have nothing but fond memories. Even 16 years later, my connections to the people and the country remain strong. What stands out to me the most was the warmth and hospitality of the Uruguayan people, who made me feel like part of their big family. It was truly a remarkable experience that has stayed with me over the years.
¿Tienes una anécdota de tu visita que quieras compartir?
There are so many memories from my visit to Montevideo, but one that comes to mind is when I got stuck in my rental apartment bathroom on my very first day. Luckily, Gonzalo and Lucia came to my rescue. The next day, I accidentally took the bus in the wrong direction and ended up in a sketchy neighborhood called Piedras Blancas. Despite my initial fear, the people there were incredibly kind and helped me get a cab back to town. The taxi driver even gave me his business card and told me to call him if I needed help in the future. I also had many first-time experiences, such as being the first foreign student in exchange at the lab, presenting my work at an international conference, tasting "dulce de leche", and dancing tango of course. One particularly humbling moment was when Rafael Radi asked me to present my work to the team in an informal journal club-like meeting. When I asked if I could present in English, they encouraged me to speak in Portuguese, as they believed they would understand it. I didn’t think that was a good idea so I did my best to present it in Spanish, and when I finished, they all applauded and said they understood my Portuguese just fine. Overall, my visit was filled with memorable experiences and kind people, and I still cherish those memories today.
Personas que marcaron tu estadía
There were many people who made a significant impact on my stay in Montevideo. Rafael Radi gave me the incredible opportunity to work with his star team and introduced me to the fascinating world of free radicals. Silvina Bartesaghi and Madia Trujillo were instrumental in helping me adapt and learn about Uruguay's rich culture. I am also grateful to Valeria Valez, Lucia Piacenza, Noel Alvarez, Natalia Romero and the late Gonzalo Peluffo for making my experience so enjoyable.
¿Qué cosa de lo aprendido en tu estadía en CEINBIO has incorporado a tu práctica científica habitual?
My stay at CEINBIO has been a turning point in my life. Even though I am no longer a researcher, the valuable lessons I learned there have stayed with me. My career shift led me to scientific consultancy, obtaining an MBA, working for NGOs, and now utilizing digital technology and top-notch science to tackle climate issues. Call me naive, but I am still trying to make the world a better place. And throughout this time, the importance of adaptability and creative thinking that I learned at CEINBIO has remained crucial. The critical thinking skills that I acquired during my stay in Montevideo have been essential in my career progression and success. The lessons to keep my heart in all things and have trust and pride in science have helped me maintain my passion and enthusiasm for my work. Additionally, I learned the value of memory and reflection, which is often overlooked in our fast-paced society. Overall, my time at CEINBIO was a truly enriching experience that has left an indelible mark on me and continues to guide me in my current work.
