Joana Sofia Correia obtained a B.Sc. in Biochemistry at the University of Porto (2011), and a M.Sc. in Health Sciences at the University of Minho (2014). Throughout her academic career she has worked in the neurosciences field in translational research projects of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. She has dedicated her master’s thesis to the study of astrocytic neuroprotective functions in a rodent model of depression. Later, as a research fellow funded by the National Ataxia Foundation (USA), she has developed work using cell-based therapies in the context of Machado-Joseph disease in the laboratory of Prof. Patrícia Maciel at ICVS, University of Minho. Currently, she is a PhD student in Prof. Patrícia Maciel Lab, who is interested in understanding the modulation of HPA-related stress response in a mouse model of Machado-Joseph disease, and biomarker research for therapeutic development. Joana has received 7 awards and published 19 original articles.

Ms. Pereira Sena’s research career began when she joined the research team of Dr. Fernando Regla Vargas and Dr. Cibele Bonvicino at the National Cancer Institute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she focused on genetic investigations in retinoblastoma. Over seven years, Ms. Pereira Sena contributed to the development of genetic screening methods for the RB1 gene, identifying mutations in patients and assisting with genetic counseling. This work involved direct interactions with families, highlighting the importance of bridging research with patient care. While initially focused on cancer genetics, Ms. Pereira Sena was also drawn to neuroscience. She joined Dr. Thorsten Schmidt's SCA3 research group at the University of Tübingen, Germany, for her Ph.D. There, she investigated the pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also known as Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), making key discoveries about the role of ataxin-3’s enzymatic function in protein modifications. Ms. Pereira Sena also contributes to the SCAsource website as an editor and Portuguese translator, providing accessible information for families affected by MJD and other spinocerebellar ataxias. Throughout her career, Ms. Pereira Sena has published several peer-reviewed articles on polyglutamine-related spinocerebellar ataxias. The impact of her work has been recognized by the German media and funding agencies, which have supported her ongoing research into MJD and other polyglutamine disorders. This recognition underscores her commitment to advancing scientific understanding of polyglutamine-related SCAs and disseminating knowledge to patients, families, and the broader scientific community.