
Advanced Training
The MetaFungal project has played a pivotal role in training the next generation of scientists by supporting the academic and professional development of students and early career researchers. As a result of the project’s activities and mentorship, four Master's theses have been successfully defended, alongside one PhD thesis. Two additional PhD projects are currently ongoing. Furthermore, the project has provided valuable research opportunities for several undergraduate students through hands-on projects and lab-based training. These achievements reflect MetaFungal’s strong commitment to education, knowledge transfer, and fostering future expertise in the field of fungal biology.
PhD theses

Cláudia Barata Antunes
“Regulation of plasma membrane nutrient transporters in yeast”
PhD in Molecular and Environmental Biology
Defence date: 10th February 2023

Alexandra Gonçalves
"Metabolic Induced Regulation in Candida albicans Pathogenesis: the role of carboxylic acids and carboxylate transporters"
PhD in Molecular and Environmental Biology
Defence date: ongoing

Faezeh Ghasemi
“Title”
PhD in Biology
Defence date: ongoing

Patrícia Andreia Ataíde Fernandes
"Nutrient Sensing and Transport in Candida spp.: from commensalism to pathogenicity"
PhD in Biology
Defence date: ongoing
Master theses
Catarina da Costa Salazar Martins
“Trafficking and signaling of the lactate monocarboxylate transporter Jen1”
Master degree in Molecular Genetics
Defence date: ongoing

Patrícia Andreia Ataíde Fernandes
“Fungi and Nutrition: a Molecular and
Cellular Biology Approach”
Master degree in Molecular Genetics
Defence date: 04 December 2024

Beatriz Leite
"Trafficking and Signalling of a
eukaryotic lactate transporter
Master degree in Molecular Genetics
Defence date: 29th November 2024

Faezeh Ghasemi
"The role of carboxylic acids in the pathogenicity of Candida albicans"
Master degree in Molecular Genetics
Defence date: 4th January 2023

Vitor Fernandes
"Metabolism of carboxylic acids in fungal infections"
Master degree in Molecular Genetics
Defence date: 15th December 2022
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Ungraduated projects

Carolina Lucas Gonçalves Santinho
"Regulation and Trafficking of Eukaryotic Carboxylic Acid Transport Proteins"
Laboratory Traineeship - as part of the Project subject in the BSc in Applied Biology
Duration: May - June 2025
Defence date: 25th june 2025

Bruna Alves Cavaleiro
“Fungi and Nutrition: a Molecular and
Cellular Biology Approach”
Laboratory Traineeship
Duration: 11-26 of July, 2024
Débora Ferreira
"Impacto de Candida albicans na saúde e no ambiente"
Laboratory Traineeship - as part of the Project subject in the BSc in Applied Biology
Duration: March-June, 2023
Defence date: 28th June 2023

Iason Gkikokai
Title
Bachelor's student under ERASMUS program
Duration: October 2023-January, 2024