Dr. Rodrigo Medeiros

Since 2007, Rodrigo has led the effort to identify the underlying mechanisms related to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. His long-term goal is to advance knowledge of healthy and diseased brain function to a point where rational strategies can be developed to prevent and cure this insidious disorder. To pursue his research goals, Rodrigo maintains a research environment in which creative and innovative ideas can be nurtured and brought to fruition using a base of established and state-of-the-art approaches. He believes that this environment will facilitate conceptual leaps in understanding the diseases that impact the human brain.

Education

Ph.D. Pharmacology (2004-2007)
Federal University of Santa Catarina, BRA
Department of Pharmacology
Advisor: Prof. João B. Calixto
Fellowship: Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development

M.Sc. Pharmacology (2002-2004)
Federal University of Santa Catarina, BRA
Department of Pharmacology
Advisor: Prof. João B. Calixto
Fellowship: Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development

B.Sc. Pharmacy (1997-2001)
Federal University of Santa Catarina, BRA
Fellowship: Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development

​Professional Experience

Researcher (2019-present)
University of California, Irvine, USA
Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders

Senior Research Fellow (2016-2020)
The University of Queensland, AUS
Queensland Brain Institute

Associate Researcher (2014-2016)
University of California, Irvine, USA
Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders

Associate Project Scientist (2013-2014)
University of California, Irvine, USA
Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders

Assistant Project Scientist (2012-2013)
University of California, Irvine, USA
Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders

Postdoctoral Fellow (2008-2012)
University of California, Irvine, USA
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior
Advisor: Prof. Frank M. LaFerla

Postdoctoral Fellow (2007-2008)
Federal University of Santa Catarina, BRA
Department of Pharmacology
Advisor: Prof. João B. Calixto

Undergraduate Researcher (1997-2002)
Federal University of Santa Catarina, BRA
Department of Pharmacology
Advisor: Prof. João B. Calixto

Honors and Awards

2017-2021 Dementia Research Leadership Fellowship
National Health and Medical Research Council, AUS

2016 New Vision Award
Charleston Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, USA

2013 Research Scientist Award Scholarship
Orange County Alzheimer’s Association, USA

2011 Carl W. Cotman Scholar’s Award.
UC Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, USA

2010 Junior Faculty Award
The 10th International Conference On Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Diseases, ESP

2010 International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease Travel Award
Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, USA

2007-2008 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development, BRA

2004-2007 Doctoral Research Fellowship 
Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development, BRA

2003 Brazilian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Honors
Brazilian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, BRA

2002 José Ribeiro do Valle Award
Eli Lilly & Brazilian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, BRA

2002 French Society of Pharmacology Honors
6ème Congrès Annuel de la Sociètè Fraçaise de Pharmacologie, FRA

2002-2004 Masters Research Fellowship
Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development, BRA

1998-2002 Undergraduate Scientific Initiation Program Research Fellowship
Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development, BRA