Dr. Catarina Rendeiro

Dr Catarina Rendeiro is an AssisDr Catarina Rendeiro completed her PhD at the University of Reading (UK) in collaboration with the department of Psychology and the department of Food and Nutritional Sciences: she investigated the molecular mechanisms underpinning improvements in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory by plant-derived dietary flavonoids. Catarina subsequently worked as a postdoctoral research assistant in clinical research at the Hugh Sinclair Nutrition Unit (University of Reading, UK) investigating the impact of flavonoid intake on human vascular function and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Catarina then moved to the USA to take on a senior postdoctoral position at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she collaborated widely as part of the Center for Nutrition, Learning and Memory, looking at the role of micronutrients and macronutrients (e.g. vitamin E, omega-3-fatty acids, flavonoids, sugars) on neuronal plasticity, cerebral blood perfusion and learning behaviour in a variety of rodent models, from neonatal development through aging and chemotherapy-treated (“Chemobrain”).

Since joining the University of Birmingham in 2017, as an Assistant Professor in Nutritional Sciences, Catarina has expanded on the understanding on how dietary flavonoids can affect cerebrovascular function in humans. She has also investigated how flavonoid interventions can be utilized strategically in the context of physical activity and sedentary periods to ameliorate whole-body vascular function. Catarina is also interested in understanding how diet may interact with mental stress in regard to their effects on vascular health.tant Professor in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Birmingham