Lívia Hecke Morais

My research is focused on understanding how the relationship between resident microorganisms and the hosts? nervous system influences behavior, brain health and disease. Central to this question is the bidirectional communication linking the gut and brain during sensitive periods on which microbial disturbances can influence the initiation and progression of developmental and neurodegenerative disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders and Parkinson?s disease. This revolutionary idea is representing a paradigm shift in the way we see psychiatric disorders. My work is focused on understanding the mechanisms of communication between microbes and the brain that modulate disease. The insights of my research could ultimately lead to discover novel therapeutic targets and disease biomarkers. Towards this objective, I have developed expertise in animal behavioral models of different psychiatric disorders, such as Parkinson?s disease and Autism Spectrum Disorders; transcriptomics, immune and molecular biology techniques combined with pharmacological approaches that, when integrated, provide a high-resolution dissection of Microbiota- gut brain interactions in clinically relevant experimental conditions. In addition to that, I have collaborated with industry partners such as Nutricia Danone, and 4D pharma and have gained experience with human research. Thus, I have acquired knowledge on translational aspects of biology research. This multi-disciplinary approach is necessary to tackle open research questions in that lie in the gut-brain axis that would otherwise be intractable while remaining firmly committed to ensuring that my efforts also result into benefits for human health. e-mail: lhmorais@caltech.edu

bachelor's at Ciências Biológicas from Universidade Federal do Paraná (2011) and master's at General Pharmacology from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (2013). Has experience in General Biology, focusing on General Biology, acting on the following subjects: xxiv encontro anual de etologia.