Erika Barboza Prado Lopes
Researcher, Scientist, and Immunologist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Howdy, I’m Erika. I am a dynamic and enthusiastic Brazilian. I obtained my BA in Biology at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) Brazil (2003-2007). While there, I focused my work on immunology, cell biology, and molecular biology of intestinal helminthiasis, Tuberculosis and HIV. I then traveled to the University of Barcelona (UB), Spain for my PhD in Immunology (2009-2013). My doctoral work consisted in the generation of a high efficiency in vitro protocol to produce Ly-6C-high monocytes from the bone marrow of mice, which allowed me to study the functionality of these cells in vitro and in vivo.
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I also worked in the University of Barcelona during my PhD as an Associate Professor of practical classes in the subject of Immunology and as a Coordinator for practical classes of Immunobiotechnology. This work involved developing protocols for discussion and laboratory sections that were tailored towards a diverse group of students of various ages, backgrounds, and skill levels on the subject of Immunobiotechnology for Biological Sciences graduate students. Currently, I am a Assistant Staff Scientist at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) in Dr. Tim Griffin’s laboratory (2013-present). I am studying how exercise reduces osteoarthritis pain by testing the hypothesis that exercise reduces the activation of the nociceptive ion channel TRPA1. My work focuses on pain sensing in the infra-patellar fat pad and the peripheral and central effects of exercise on inflammatory mediators of pain.