Mariane Silva, a graduate of the Postgraduate Program in Neuroengineering (PPGN) at the Santos Dumont Institute (ISD), was selected for a research incentive program for young doctoral students in Brno, Czech Republic. The initiative, funded by the city of Brno, aims to identify and support excellent scientific projects for early-career researchers.
Mariane's research, selected for financial support from the "Brno Ph.D Talent" program, proposes a therapeutic solution for patients with epilepsy, based on the use of non-invasive neuromodulation of the vagus nerve. The technique may be an alternative for patients who do not respond to invasive therapies, such as surgery.
The project aims to optimize brain stimulation protocols and personalize the therapeutic approach according to each patient's individual response. In the long term, the goal is to develop a prognostic tool for treatment response, capable of identifying which patients are most likely to benefit from neuromodulation.
With the recognition and funding secured, Mariane formalized a contract with the city of Brno for the development of the proposed research project. The program provides for continuous monitoring of the work's progress, with defined goals and milestones, as well as periodic reports on the results achieved. The model seeks to reinforce accountability and transparency in research and encourage constant development.
“The financial support from the program has a direct impact on my career path, as it allows me to maintain my focus on research without the constant pressure of financial issues. Knowing that I have clear means to support my family while developing my scientific project brings stability, peace of mind, and better conditions for producing quality research,” says the Brazilian scientist.
A graduate in Mechatronics Engineering, Mariane completed her master's degree in Neuroengineering at the PPGN of ISD and, soon after, began her doctoral studies in Neuroscience at the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, where she currently continues her research.
"The master's program at ISD played a fundamental role in my training and was decisive for the continuation of my scientific career abroad, as it provided me with a solid foundation in neuromodulation, including learning essential techniques and applications in the field," she acknowledges.
In addition to Mariane, a total of 24 researchers were awarded grants by the program. The prize, worth 360,000 Czech crowns (approximately 100,000 reais), will be invested in the research project over three years.
About ISD
The Santos Dumont Institute (ISD) is a Social Organization linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC) and includes the Edmond and Lily Safra International Neuroscience Institute and the Anita Garibaldi Center for Health Education and Research, both in Macaíba. ISD's mission is to promote education for life, forming citizens through integrated teaching, research and extension actions, in addition to contributing to a fairer and more humane transformation of Brazilian social reality.
