Lab members
Bárbara Porto, PI
Dr. Bárbara Porto is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba and a Scientist at the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM). Her research focuses on the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis associated with respiratory viral infections.
Dr. Porto studied Biological Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. She then completed her graduate work at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), working on the molecular mechanisms of neutrophil activation triggered by sterile inflammation. Back to her hometown, Dr. Porto held a post-doctoral fellowship at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul working with innate immunity to respiratory syncytial virus infection.
In Toronto, Canada, Dr. Porto held a post-doctoral fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children, also working on innate immunity to respiratory syncytial virus infection.
Dr. Porto has been frequently contributing as a peer reviewer to high impact scientific journals and to international funding agencies.
Dr. Porto is a member of the Canadian Society for Virology and the Canadian Society for Immunology.
Júlia Cerato, PhD student
Júlia studied Biotechnology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Brazil. She holds a Master’s degree in Biosciences and Biotechnology, her thesis was developed in the laboratory of molecular virology at Carlos Chagas Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil. The main focus of her research was to evaluate the role of osteopontin during dengue virus infection in human cell lines. Currently, she works in the same Institute, assessing the immune response of the Brazilian population with different immunizations against SARS-CoV-2. In her free time, she likes listening to music, watching TV series, reading books and finding amazing places to eat.
Júlia is a PhD student in the lab, studying the antiviral and lung protective mechanisms of an FDA-approved drug against RSV infection.
Runqi Lin, MSc student
Runqi graduated from McMaster University (Ontario) in the program of Biochemistry. He has always been interested in the field of Immunology, and was especially fascinated by and eager to learn about all types of viruses and how they interact with our bodies. Outside of science, Runqi really enjoys playing with animals, trying out new recipes and riding bicycles.
Runqi will start his MSc in our lab in the Winter/2024.
Maria Serda, Co-Op student
Maria is a student at the University of Manitoba going into her final year of an undergraduate in Microbiology. She enjoys how broad the field is and has found interests in pathogenesis of viruses and various disease mechanisms. She hopes to continue to pursue various fields of research and continue to learn as much as she can! Outside of studies and work she loves to spend time with family and friends, trying new food, and time outdoors canoeing.
Maria is a Co-Op student in the lab, studying inflammasome activation by respiratory virus infection.
Past Members
Quinn Moroz - Summer student in the summer/2023
Kohavit Kleitman - Science Co-Op student in the summer/2022
Leanne Kuo - USRA Summer student in the summer/2022
Roshan Parvarchian - Research Technician