FARDILHA'S
LAB

About

Renato M. Rodrigues is a PhD Research Fellow at Fardilha's Lab, located within the Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), supported by a Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) doctoral scholarship. He is enrolled in the Joint PhD Programme in Biomedicine offered by the University of Aveiro (UA) and NOVA Medical School. His academic background includes a BSc in Biomedical Sciences (2023) and an MSc in Molecular Biomedicine (2025) from the UA, alongside a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Research in Health Services (2025), a Specialisation Course in Leadership and Health Management (2026), and the Certificate of Pedagogical Competencies (CCP, code: F790988/2026). Additionally, he completed international training in Remote Entrepreneurship through the European SEVERE consortium (2022).

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His PhD project focuses on validating molecular biomarkers, including protein profiles, and developing a diagnostic device prototype for male infertility. This project, integrated into the FERTI$CAN consortium, aims to stratify patients and predict the success of assisted reproductive technologies, complementing conventional semen analysis. Previously, from November 2025 to September 2026, he served as a Research Fellow on the SpermXYSort project at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), performing his work at iBiMED, focusing on the development of innovative immunological-based sperm sexing technologies. He has specialised laboratory experience in cell culture, cell viability assays, western blot, wound healing assays, colony formation assays, and immunocytochemistry (ICC). Furthermore, his participation in a public health project addressing the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among Portuguese adolescents has broadened his multidisciplinary research perspective.

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Renato’s scientific production includes peer-reviewed publications in high-impact international journals, such as JNCI Cancer Spectrum and Therapeutics, addressing the role of Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and PP1-docking motif-mimetic peptides in prostate cancer. He actively participates in public discourse and promotes health literacy, authoring opinion articles in national media outlets including Observador, Público, and Jornal de Notícias. He frequently presents his laboratory-based research at scientific forums, including the 12th SINAL-Meeting on Signal Transduction (Porto, Portugal) and the Health Congress: Bridging Research and Clinical Practice (Aveiro, Portugal). Alongside his experimental research, he is actively involved in pedagogical innovation in higher education, delivering oral communications and presenting panels at prominent conferences, notably the 20th International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED 2026) in Valencia (Spain), the International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'24), and several National Congresses on Pedagogical Practices (CNaPPES).

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He is an active member of the UA governance bodies, serving on the Pedagogical Council and the Permanent Commission for Pedagogical Evaluation and Quality (CPAQP). Previously, he contributed to the Department of Medical Sciences (DCM) as a member of the Departmental Council (2022-2024) and the Quality Management System Subcommittee (SubGQ_UC, 2022-2023). This commitment to academic community engagement began early in his training, evidenced by his tenure as Coordinator of the Biomedical Sciences Student Group at the UA Academic Association (AAUAv). His leadership is further demonstrated by his role in organising committees for major events, such as the XXII National Biochemistry Congress (2024, Aveiro) and the upcoming International Symposium on Sperm Biology (ISSB 2027, Aveiro). Finally, he is a member of the International Reproductive Health Education Collaboration (IRHEC/ESHRE), the European Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), holding fundamental certifications for translational research, including Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP R2 and R3) and Scientific Writing from Stanford University.