Staff Spotlight

Published: 9 December 2020

Lecturer Dr Cassandra Sampaio Baptista tells us a bit about herself

Dr Cassandra Sampaio-Baptista

Background

I performed my undergraduate studies in Portugal at Universidade do Minho. My first practical introduction to Neuroscience was a few weeks of lab experience in my first year. This turned into many (many!) months as I asked to stay on to help and learn some skills in my spare time (beautiful Golgi-stained neurons reconstructions!!).

After completing my first degree, I enrolled in a one year MSc that combined clinical experience (I chose neuropsychology) and basic research. For that thesis I performed experiments in models of depression and picked up tons of behavioural and histological skills.

I then applied to a MSc at the University of Oxford, so I could continue my education in Neuroscience. To my infinite surprise I got in and was able to secure funding. During one of the MSc lab rotations I spent time in Prof. Ole Paulsen’s lab where I met Phd students Mick Craig and Michael Kohl, now also at the INP.

Having dabbled with MRI during my undergrad and MScs I applied for a Dphil in Prof. Heidi Johansen-Berg’s lab at FMRIB jointly with Prof. David Bannerman. Heidi was interested in having someone with previous experience in rodent work and I was interested in combining cellular and systems neuroscience. It was a match made in heaven! I took up a postdoctoral position work in the same lab and later a junior research fellowship. During this time I expanded my research and skills into fMRI neurofeedback and performed preclinical studies in myelin knock-out models. I had the opportunity to supervise excellent PhD students and lead two sub-labs within Prof. Johansen-Berg’s super lab. I recently joined the INP and I am looking forward to meet you all.

 

Research

I use a multidisciplinary approach to investigate functional and structural plasticity, from the cellular level to systems level, in healthy and clinical populations, such as stroke survivors. I am interested in how the brain changes when we learn new skills or recover from brain injury, particularly how long-range connections adapt their structure. For that I use multimodal neuroimaging, including fMRI neurofeedback, and preclinical MRI in combination with cellular techniques.

 

Life outside the lab

I love spending time with my two cats, going for walks in green spaces and food-oriented travelling. I’m an avid cook but cannot bake to save my life. I love music and during lockdown I have attempted to learn to play the electric guitar. I’m terrible and make my neighbours miserable, but it’s fun! I love art and design, going to museums and occasionally painting. I’m looking forward to explore the great Scottish outdoors and the nice restaurants at the West End.

 


First published: 9 December 2020