Alexandre Gonçalves
Cancer Research Scientist
Technical Writer / Science Consultant
Switzerland
Biography
Dr. Alexandre Gonçalves performed his Developmental Biology research at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência in Portugal and obtained his Biology B.Sc. degree in 2003 from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. His developmental biology research work at the Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Belmonte Organogenesis research group, under the supervision of Dr. Joaquín Léon, gave him the ground knowledge to pursue his interests in performing his research in organogenesis, limb and bone development, and left-right asymmetry. While gathering more experience in developmental biology and genetics at the Segmental research group at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, He worked as a research technician where he improved his embryology and developmental biology research skills. After completing his work, and having helped to obtain ground-breaking results, the research group work was recognized by the Society of Medical Sciences of Lisbon and he was given the Pfizer Award for Basic Research in 2005.
He was invited to perform his Ph.D. studies in Basel, Switzerland, in 2005, and performed his research at the Prof. Rolf Zeller Developmental Genetics research group. His research in advanced genetics and kidney development granted him several publications, recognition, and awards. He developed new in vitro ex vivo culture systems to investigate kidney development and disease, and performed complex gene screening studies. His studies and research results granted him his Ph.D. in Cell Biology by the University of Basel in 2010. During his Ph.D. studies and a short postdoctoral period, he maintained several successful research collaborations with various international research laboratories, which granted him a broad research experience in various scientific subjects and areas.
In 2011, Alexandre was invited to join Prof. Ian Frew’s laboratory at the University of Zurich. His work at the Epithelial Cancers research group contributed to the development of new methods to discover new cancer biomarkers with clinical potential. The use of advanced gene silencing techniques, e.g. shRNA, in combination with engineered lentiviruses, retroviruses, and adenoviruses, allowed him to screen for genetic fragilities responsible for cancer development. Due to his knowledge and experience, he was also an instructor in Medicine at the University of Zurich. After concluding his cancer research projects, Alexandre was invited to participate in a new venture.
The work he developed with Concilium Consultations LLC as a senior technical writer, and scientific consultant, allowed him to communicate complex research studies to the general public and to fellow scientists. Alexandre helped the company defining its market strategy and helped to demarcate Concilium’s position in diverse social media and research niches.
Research Interest
Cancer Research
Human Genetics
Genetic Engineering
Kidney Cancer
Developmental Biology
Evolutionary Biology
Functional Genomics
