Can you tell us briefly about your own research interests and background?
I am a pharmacist-biochemist with a Master’s degree in Sciences (Chemistry and Biological Physics, USP – Brazil), and currently a PhD student at University of Bristol. I’ve been working with neglected tropical diseases and proteins for the last 14 years, and have extensive experience in protein expression and purification, biochemical and kinetic assays, and protein structural characterization.

When did you first become interested in venom research?
My first contact with venom research was in 2011, when I started to work as a research technician in the Laboratory of Animal Toxins at University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Since then, I have worked on different projects involving the toxins from the venom of Brazilian yellow scorpions, Brazilian rattlesnakes, mambas and saw-scaled vipers.

What are your key responsibilities in the ADDovenom project?
I perform in vitro studies to evaluate the functional ability of ADDomers/ADDobodies to neutralise toxins.

What do you hope will be the main outputs from your work on ADDovenom?
I hope we can demonstrate that the neutralization of venom toxins by ADDomers is not only effective but potentially more efficient compared to commercial antivenoms.

Can you tell us of one recent development in the world of venom research that has interested you?
A recent study describes the successful design of antitoxins using a deep-learning method. This approach highlights how AI in protein design has the potential to optimise drug discovery, providing affordable solutions for neglected diseases globally, such as snakebite envenoming.

Do you have a favourite snake – if so, which one, and why?
Dendroaspis angusticeps (the eastern green mamba) – I think its bright green colour is fascinating!