Page 30 - Revista FRONTAL Edição Especial iMed 12.0

SCIENTIFIC LECTURES
MIGUEL CASTELO BRANCO

MD, PHD

CHAIRMAN

AUTHOR
DAVID GIL

Professor Miguel Castelo Branco is a
neuroscientist, and one of the most im-
portant personalities in the long-lasting
tradition of Portuguese neuroscientist
doctors (with some ethical twists and
turns). Professor Miguel Branco complet-
ed his degree in Medicine in 1991, at the
Faculty of Medicine of the University of
Coimbra, later completing his Doctorate
in Germany (Max Planck Institute).
After finishing his PhD, he joined
Maastricht University, in the Netherlands,
in order to teach about neuroimaging of
the brain. After this time abroad, Professor
Miguel Branco returned to his Alma Mater
in Coimbra, in order to become a Profes-
sor and Researcher, staying here until the
present day.
He was Coordinator of Instituto Bi-
omédico de Investigação da Luz e Im-
2006 BIAL, the Merit Award in Medical course, to improve therapeutics’ effect, re-
agem (IBILI) until 2014, where he worked
Sciences in 2008, the FLAD/Life Science sorting to Virtual Reality, neurofeedback
with Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacology,
Award in 2016, propelling his and his cen- and stimulation techniques. His investi-
Science and Technology in order to study
tre’s work, incorporating new technolo- gation also dealing with the question of
the imaging of the brain, and study its
gies such as Virtual Reality. More recently, male prevalence of Autism, and possible
functions, with special focus on vision. He
he was awarded the Obstbaum prize ind links to causes.
is now the Director of Instituto de Ciên-
2017, regarding his work in the use of func- Having published more than 490 pub-
cias Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde (ICNAS),
tional MRI to study multifocal intraocular lications, being cited more than 4,034
working with the University and hospitals
lenses, in order to better provide treat- times and participated in 18 different pro-
to perform nuclear imaging studies in pa-
ment to cataracts. jects, Professor Miguel Castelo Branco’s
tients, like PET/MRI scans. It also houses
His research is primarily focused on experience is vast indeed, and on the fore-
a Cyclotron, allowing the production of
using neuroimaging to study brain aging, front of neuroimaging and its uses, allow-
such radioisotopes used in the institute’s
and other diseases, such as Autism, Epi- ing physicians to understand such vague
activities.
lepsy and von Recklinghausen disease, in conditions as Autism, and give a better
In terms of prizes, Professor Miguel
order to better understand the diseases’ treatment to their patients.
Branco won the Pfizer Award in 2005 and

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