Camila Ferraz, PhD
- Academic Title: Research Associate
- Primary Appointment: Microbiology and Immunology
- Email: cferraz@som.umaryland.edu
Education and Training
2012 B.S., Nursing, Federal University of Uberlandia, Brazil.
2015 M.S., Neuroscience, State University of Londrina, Brazil.
2019 Ph.D., Neuroscience, State University of Londrina, Brazil.
2021 Post-doctoral research fellow, State University of Londrina, Brazil.
2025 Post-doctoral research fellow, University of Maryland, United States.
Biosketch
I am an early-career scientist with expertise in neuroscience, with a specific focus on neuroimmune mechanisms in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and tick-borne diseases. My research explores the crosstalk between the nervous and immune systems and how this interaction drives the development and progression of these diseases. Throughout my PhD and my first postdoctoral training, I have studied neuroimmune mechanisms in snakebite, scorpion stings, Trypanosoma cruzi and Chikungunya infection to better understand the inflammation and pain associated with NTDs. In my second postdoctoral training, I have explored how the cutaneous host neuroimmune response influences tick feeding.
My long-term goal is to reveal how neuroimmune communication facilitates or inhibits the onset and progression of tick-borne diseases and NTDs. I aim to establish a foundation for the development of new neuroimmune-targeted interventions for these diseases, which have a significant public health impact worldwide.
Research/Clinical Keywords
Neuroimmunology, Tick-borne diseases