Tereza Almeida

I am an researcher in evolutionary and comparative biology, based at BIOPOLIS–CIBIO/InBIO (University of Porto). My expertise centers on evolutionary immunology and the adaptive immune system in vertebrates, with a focus on the origin, diversification, and functional evolution of immune gene families, including major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes and immune receptors.

I combine molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and phylogenetic approaches to investigate evolutionary mechanisms using basal vertebrates as models. My research addresses fundamental questions in evolutionary and organismal biology while contributing to applied fields such as wildlife health, host–pathogen interactions, emerging infectious diseases, and biodiversity conservation.

I lead an FCT-funded research project and serve as Working Group Leader in a COST Action, reflecting my scientific independence, leadership, and active integration into international research networks. My career has included extensive international training and collaborations, notably with Professor Martin F. Flajnik (University of Maryland, USA), as well as research mobility in the USA, the Netherlands, and Spain. These experiences resulted in multiple high-impact publications and advanced expertise in evolutionary genomics and immunogenetics.

Throughout my career, I have contributed to national and international research projects and supervised early-career researchers in evolutionary biology, genomics, and virology. My current agenda aims to link macro-evolutionary patterns with molecular mechanisms and strengthen the integration of evolutionary immunology within the life sciences, enhancing international visibility in evolutionary and comparative biology.