Resarch Groups

Neurology Research Group (NPN – Núcleo de Pesquisa em Neurologia)

The Neurology Research Group (NPN) is dedicated to advancing clinical neurology research, focusing on high-prevalence conditions such as:

• Stroke
• Headaches
• Epilepsy
• Movement Disorders
• Neuromuscular Diseases
• Neurodegenerative Diseases (e.g., dementia)
• Neuro-Ophthalmological Disorders

Our primary research setting is the University Hospital of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (HU-UFJF), which hosts outpatient clinics across multiple neurology subspecialties. However, we also welcome collaborations with external healthcare settings and research projects intersecting with basic, clinical, or surgical sciences related to neurology.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

We encourage participation from non-physician professionals—including physiotherapists, speech therapists, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacologists, psychologists, and occupational therapists—in conducting research involving individuals with neurological disorders.

Student & Resident Engagement

Medical and non-medical students, as well as residents, are invited to attend NPN meetings and participate in ongoing clinical research projects.

Join us in exploring unanswered questions in neurology and improving patient outcomes through innovative research.

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Research Group on Nutrients and Physical Exercise Applied to Metabolic Syndrome (NEFASM)

NEFASM investigates the biological mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of metabolic diseases, employing molecular biology and metabolomics in both experimental and clinical studies.

Our primary focus is exploring the beneficial effects of nutrients and/or physical exercise on metabolic syndrome. Key research interests include:

• The impact of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrient supplementation (with or without exercise) on:
  • Insulin resistance
  • Adiposity
  • Dyslipidemia
  • Cardiovascular risk factors

Through these studies, we aim to uncover novel molecular pathways that can improve metabolic health.

Join Our Research Team!

NEFASM holds weekly meetings every Thursday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, where all members collaborate and discuss ongoing research.

Interested in joining?
Contact Professor Claudio Teodoro de Souza at:
📧 claudio.t.desouza@gmail.com

Spirituality and Health Research Group – NUPES

NUPES is dedicated to excellence in interdisciplinary research on the connections between spirituality and health. We collaborate with a global network of researchers, striving to establish NUPES as an international reference center in this field.

Beyond publishing in leading journals and books, presenting at conferences, and participating in academic committees, NUPES also provides reliable, science-based information to the public through interviews with print, radio, and television media.

Research Focus Areas:

1. Epidemiology of Religiosity and Health
2. Religious and Spiritual Experiences
3. History and Philosophy of Spirituality Research

Join us in advancing knowledge at the intersection of spirituality and well-being.

Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nephrology and Chronic Conditions (NIEPEN)

We are a multidisciplinary team dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, and treatment of complex chronic diseases, with a special focus on renal and metabolic conditions. Our research integrates clinical, translational, and public health approaches to address:

Core Research Areas:

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Hypertension
• Diabetes Mellitus (Type II) and Metabolic Disorders
• Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases
• Dialysis Innovations and Renal Replacement Therapies
• Organ Transplantation and Long-Term Outcomes
• Multimorbidity and Chronic Disease Management

Why Work With Us?

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Bridging nephrology, endocrinology, rheumatology, immunology, and primary care.
• Patient-Centered Impact: From biomarker discovery to real-world clinical practice.
• Global Relevance: Addressing chronic disease challenges through local and international partnerships.

We welcome clinicians, basic scientists, epidemiologists, and public health experts to join our network. Together, we can redefine the future of chronic disease care.

Contact us to explore collaborative projects or training opportunities!

Health Sciences Research and Innovation Center (NUPICS)

Located within the School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, NUPICS operates in a 100 m² purpose-built facility equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including:

Core Equipment:

• Chemical & Biological Workstations: Fume hood, laminar flow cabinet, microbiological incubators
• Analytical Instruments:
  • HPLC systems (DAD & fluorescence detectors)
  • UV-VIS spectrophotometer
  • Nanodrop, Microtrac Zetatrac (nanoparticle analysis)
  • Stability testing chambers (photo/thermal)
  • Diffuse transmittance analyzer
• Sample Processing:
  • Refrigerated centrifuge, high-power sonicator, ultra-Turrax homogenizer
  • Water baths, permeation system, lyophilizer
• Specialized Systems:
  • CO₂ incubator, thermocycler (PCR), ultra-low freezer
  • Microplate shakers, autoclaves, ultrapure water systems

Expanded Capabilities Through Partnerships:

Collaborative access to shared institutional facilities, including:

• Real-time PCR systems
• Molecular biology equipment (multi-user lab)

Driving innovation at the intersection of pharmacy, biochemistry, and translational research.

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Health Advisory, Training, and Studies Center (NATES)

As an academic hub at UFJF, NATES institutionalizes a collaborative space that bridges UFJF’s academic units and local healthcare providers.

Our Mission:

To foster debates, studies, projects, and research that:

• Identify and address critical healthcare needs
• Prioritize Primary Health Care (PHC) approaches
• Strengthen health systems and improve population health outcomes

Key Focus Areas:

• Health System Optimization
• Community-Centered Research
• Professional Training & Capacity Building

Driving change through academia-service integration to enhance healthcare delivery and quality of life.

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Geriatrics and Gerontology Research Group (NUGGER)

NUGGER is research group at UFJF, actively engaged in Stricto Sensu graduate programs (Master’s/PhD) through:

• Brazilian Health Graduate Program
• Collective Health Graduate Program

Research Focus Areas

Collaborating with NAPE (Educational Practices Support Center) & NUPES (Spirituality and Health Research Group):

• Aging & Population Health
  • Health-disease transitions in aging populations
  • Inappropriate medication prescribing in older adults
• Spirituality & Health
  • Impact of religious/spiritual beliefs on seniors’ physical/mental health
  • Implications for healthcare professionals
• Medical Education
  • Integrating geriatrics/gerontology into medical curricula
  • Evaluating teaching strategies at UFJF School of Medicine
  • Mental health & quality of life of medical students/graduates

Join Our Work

• Weekly scientific meetings at the Medical School (research discussions, article reviews, project development)
• Open to participants: Contact us at geriatra.medicina@ufjf.edu.br

Graduate Student Involvement Includes:

• Research project development
• Scientific writing & publications
• Data collection/analysis
• Teaching roles (Geriatrics discipline tutoring)
• Skills assessments

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Innovation and Research Center in Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry

Two research groups from UFJF’s School of Dentistry operate within PPgS, advancing both clinical and technological frontiers:

1. Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry Research Group (Est. 2001)

Focus: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches in Dentistry

• Investigates craniofacial growth mechanisms and their response to therapies
• Studies factors disrupting normal development (genetic, environmental, biomechanical)
• Evaluates material properties used in orthodontic/pediatric treatments

2. Innovations in Orthodontics Research Group (Est. 2011)

Focus: Technological Innovation in Health

• Develops and tests health technologies with dual outcomes:
  • High-impact scientific publications
  • Patent applications for clinical/community use
• Bridges individual and population-level healthcare solutions

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Gastroenterology Research Group

Our group is dedicated to advancing cutting-edge research in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, fostering active participation from medical students and residents at the University Hospital at UFJF.

Key Achievements:

• High-impact publications in indexed journals
• Presentations at regional and national conferences
• Growing recognition from the academic and scientific community

Our Mission:

To explore the latest clinical and translational topics in digestive health while nurturing the next generation of researchers.

Join us in shaping the future of GI medicine.

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Immunology and Infectious Diseases Research Group

Our research group focuses on investigating immunoregulatory mechanisms and exploring novel therapeutic approaches for immune-related disorders and infectious diseases.

Key Research Areas:

• Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases:
  • Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) model
  • Obesity and metabolic inflammation
  • Experimental asthma/eosinophilic esophagitis
• Infectious diseases:
  • Physiological and genetic markers of infection
  • Pathogen-host interactions
  • Ecological aspects of microbial-host relationships in health and disease

Therapeutic Focus:
Evaluation of potential treatments including novel drugs and plant-derived compounds for immune modulation.

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Bone Marrow Transplantation, Hematology and Hemotherapy Research Group

Our research focuses on two key areas of hematologic medicine:

1. Onco-Hematologic Malignancies
   • Lymphoproliferative disorders
   • Multiple myeloma pathogenesis and treatment
2. Bone Marrow Transplantation
   • Transplant-related toxicities
   • Graft response mechanisms
   • Outcomes research

The group employs translational research approaches to bridge laboratory findings with clinical applications in blood cancers and cellular therapies.

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Cardiovascular Investigation and Exercise Physiology Research Unit (InCFEx)

Founded in 2009 by Professor Mateus Camaroti Laterza and registered with Brazil’s National Research Council (CNPq), our group investigates the acute and chronic effects of exercise and physiological maneuvers on:

• Cardiovascular function
• Metabolic regulation
• Renal physiology
• Autonomic nervous system responses

Research Infrastructure

Two dedicated laboratories across UFJF:

1. University Hospital facility (clinical-translational focus)
2. School of Physical Education (basic/mechanistic studies)

Scientific Impact

• 100+ peer-reviewed publications (national/international)
• High citation rates in exercise physiology literature
• Award-winning presentations at major conferences worldwide

Join Our Team

We welcome:

• Medical/PhD students
• Residents
• Postdoctoral researchers
• Faculty collaborators

Weekly Meetings: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:30 PM
Contact: Prof. Mateus Camaroti Laterza (mateuslaterza@hotmail.com)

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Interdisciplinary Urology Research Group (NIPU)

Our research comprehensively investigates urinary and genital system disorders, with a focus on:

Key Research Areas:

• Clinical & Epidemiological Studies
  • Disease patterns and outcomes
  • Long-term patient follow-up
• Therapeutic Innovation
  • Novel treatment development
  • Surgical and medical interventions
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
  • Prevention strategies
  • Renal transplantation outcomes
• Pathogenesis to Therapy
  • Molecular mechanisms of urogenital diseases
  • Translational research pipelines

Why Partner With Us?

• Interdisciplinary Approach – Bridging urology, nephrology, and public health
• Patient-Centered Focus – From prevention to advanced therapies
• Research Impact – Direct clinical applications

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Rehabilitation Sciences Research Group

Our interdisciplinary team investigates physical-functional assessment and evidence-based interventions to restore and enhance:

• Cardiorespiratory & musculoskeletal performance
• Functional capacity
• Quality of life
• Social participation

Research Focus Areas

1. Advanced Assessment Methods
   • Cutting-edge technologies
   • Clinical measurement tools
   • Mobility/functionality evaluation protocols
2. Therapeutic Interventions
   • Targeted exercise regimens
   • Multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategies
3. Assistive Technology Innovation
   • Devices promoting independence
   • Solutions for daily living activities
4. Health Promotion & Disability Prevention
   • Preventive strategies
   • Chronic condition management
5. Psychosocial Rehabilitation
   • Emotional well-being interventions
   • Community inclusion programs

Join Our Work

Weekly Meetings: Thursdays, 3:00–5:00 PM
Contact: Dr. Carla Malaguti (carlamalaguti@gmail.com)