Dr Catarina De Almeida Marques

CI am a scientist (postdoc) at the University of Glasgow, UK. My research focuses on how DNA replication takes place in Trypanosoma and Leishmania, two protozoan parasites that can infect people and cause disease in various parts of the world.

When I first started my undergraduate degree in Microbiology at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, I was mostly interested in learning about bacteria and viruses. As time passed, however, my curiosity shifted toward protozoan parasites, particularly while doing a final year research internship to study Plasmodium, the parasite that causes malaria.

Following a master's degree in the same University, during which I did additional work on Plasmodium, I moved to Glasgow, UK, to pursue a PhD on DNA replication in Trypanosoma brucei, the parasite that causes sleeping sickness. I have since worked on other aspects of the molecular biology of Trypanosoma; however, because DNA replication had become my favourite topic, I returned to it a few years ago. Besides Trypanosoma, I now also work with Leishmania, another parasite.

In my presentation I will introduce you to Trypanosoma and Leishmania, and explain what I and other scientists have discovered about the strange ways those two parasites replicate their DNA. Please join me if you want to learn more about parasites with weird biology!

Besides working in the lab, I am an avid science communicator and STEM ambassador. I have been involved in multiple public engagement activities over the years, including stand-up comedy in Bright Club shows (UK).