Carlos Pita is a PhD student at NOVA Medical School, currently conducting his research at NOVA IMSB. His work investigates how berry-derived (poly)phenols influence the gut-brain axis in Parkinson’s disease. Using the MPTP mouse model, he studies whether a berry-enriched diet can modulate gut microbiota composition, microbial metabolism, neuroinflammation, and motor outcomes. He combines microbiome analysis, metabolomics, proteomics, molecular biology, and behavioral assessment to identify diet-derived mechanisms potentially involved in neuroprotection. His research particularly explores host-microbiota interactions and the role of low-molecular-weight (poly)phenol metabolites in inflammation-driven neurodegeneration. Carlos holds an MSc in Biomedical Research from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra.
Alongside his research, he is dedicated to science communication, using illustration, scientific figures, presentations, and digital media to communicate complex biomedical concepts clearly to researchers, students and the wider public