Biographical Data
Name: Alexandra Marçal Correia
ID: 7443063
Address:Salvaterra de Magos

Portugal	

Academic Degree
1996. Ph D. by Universidade de Lisboa in Biology, by unanimity with “distinction and commendation”. Title: “Biologia populacional e interacções tróficas de Procambarus clarkii (Crustacea, Decapoda, Cambaridae) no sistema hidrográfico do rio Tejo (Ribatejo, Portugal). Superviser: Professor Dr. Carlos Almaça.
1990. Biology degree by Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, with the final classification of 15/20.

Present Position
1999-present. Auxiliary Researcher at the Universidade de Lisboa, Museu Nacional de História Natural (MNHN), Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia (Museu Bocage).

Previous Positions
1998-1999. CRA (Clinical Research Associate) at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
1997-98. Coordinator of the project “Implementation of field and laboratory methodologies and equipment for biological assessment of water quality” at DRA LVT (Direcção Regional do Ambiente de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo).
1995-97. Consultant in the project “Biology and acclimatation of the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) at the São Miguel island”, coordinated by Ana Cristina Costa from the Departamento de Biologia da Universidade dos Açores.
1991-95. Ph. D. Scholar from da JNICT – Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica (presently FCT- Fundação da Ciência e Tecnologia)

Executive Positions
2007-present. President of the Scientific Council of the Museu Nacional de História Natural (MNHN).
2008. Interim Director of the Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Museu Nacional de História Natural.
2000-08. Coordinator of the Conservation Ecology Lab (2 units: experimental and analytical) from the Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Museu Nacional de História Natural.

Member of Scientific and Professional Organizations
2010-present – Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurociências, affiliated of the Federation of European Neurosciences Societies.
2004-2008. Executive Council of IAA - International Association of Astacology.
2001-2008. Crustacean Society
1993- 2008. IAA and Portuguese Delegate, until 1997.
1990-present. “Ordem dos Biólogos”.

Research Unit
2009-present. Unidade de Neurociências e Farmacologia do Instituto Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa.
1999- 2008. Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa.

Research Areas
Neurosciences
Neurophysiology
Neuromuscular Transmission
Neurotransmitters
Neuromodulators

Previous Research Areas
Carcinology/Astacology
Ecology and Population Biology
Biological invasions
Structure and Functioning of Freshwater Ecosystems.
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates

Interests of Research
Since 2009 the researcher has taken particular interest in the neurosciences area and she joined the Neuroscience Unit of the IMM. Presently, she is studying the processes and mechanisms involved in the neuromuscular transmission through aging and the effects of adenosine in fine tuning this synaptic transmission. Currently the investigator is enrolled in an ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) project. The main idea of this project is to investigate ALS from the periphery to the brain by using transgenic mice and conducting studies at the neuromuscular junction and spinal cord level. The innermost rationale of this project is to discover an innovative approach to advance new ALS therapeutics by modulating ALS transgenic mice neuromuscular transmission with adenosine through A1 and A2A receptors activation.

Previous Interests of Research
Among other issues, the researcher has dedicated 15 years to the study of the effects of invasive species on the global functioning of wetlands through the study of population dynamics, genetic structure and trophic interactions of introduced and native populations, using Procambarus clarkii as the prime biological model. An integrative approach of the ecological and genetic processes presented by introduced and native populations of P. clarkii, as well as the interspecific interactions of this species with native and other invasive species from invaded wetland communities was undertaken.

Cooperation with International Scientific Organizations
2000-present. Integrates the evaluators panel (Ref. EE19981B7178) of I&D project submissions to the European Framework Programs.
2004. Referee of the Freshwater Crayfish (Proceedings of 14th IAA International Symposium of Astacology).
2001. Avaliadora de uma candidatura de investigação submetida à International Foundation for Science (Suécia).

Referee of Scientific Journals
2010. International Journal of Biological Sciences, Journal of Applied Ichthyology, Oecologia
2009. Aquaculture (2ms), International Journal of Biological Sciences
2008. Acta Zoologica, Aquatic Ecology, Marine and Freshwater Research
2006. Aquatic Ecology (3 ms), Arquipélago - Life and Marine Sciences, Conservation Biology, Hydrobiologia (2 ms)
2005. Aquaculture International.
2004. Journal of Zoology (London), Acta Oecologica.
2003. Acta Oecologica.
1999. Hydrobiologia.
1997. Crustaceana.

Referee of Scientific Books/Chapters
2006. Biological invaders in inland waters: profiles, distribution, and threats, Editor: Francesca Gherardi, Publisher: Springer.
2006. Predation in Organisms, Editor: Ashraf MT Elewa, Publisher: Springer.

Publications in Referred Journals
Pousinha PA, Correia AM, Sebastião AM, Ribeiro JA. 2010. Modulation of the rat neuromuscular transmission by adenosine upon ageing. Purinergic Signalling 6 (Suppl 1): S102.
Pousinha PA, Correia AM, Sebastião AM, Ribeiro JA 2010. Predominance of adenosine excitatory over inhibitory effects on transmission at the neuromuscular junction of infant rats. JPET 332:153-163.
Anastácio PM., Leitão AS, Boavida MJ, Correia AM. 2009. Population dynamics of the invasive crayfish (Procambarus clarkii Girard, 1852) at two marshes with differing hydroperiods. Ann. Limnol. - Int. J. Lim. 45:1-10
Correia AM, Anastácio PM. 2008. Shifts in aquatic macroinvertebrate biodiversity associated with the presence and size of an alien crayfish. Ecological Research 23: 729-734. (DOI: 10.1007/s11284-007-0433-5).
Ramalho RO, Correia AM, Anastácio PM. 2008. Effects of density on growth and survival of juvenile red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard), reared under laboratory conditions. Aquaculture Research 39: 577- 586
Correia AM, Bandeira N, Anastácio PM. 2007. Influence of chemical and visual stimuli in food-search behaviour of Procambarus clarkii under clear conditions. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology 40: 189–194.
Barradas S, Anastácio, PM, Correia, AM. 2006. Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) consumption of rice field algae (Pithophora spp.). Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol. 29: 1887-1889.
Anastácio PM, Correia AM, Menino JP. 2005. Processes and patterns of plant destruction by crayfish: effects of crayfish size and developmental stages of rice. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie 162: 37-51.
Anastácio PM, Parente VS, Correia AM. 2005. Crayfish effects on seeds and seedlings: identification and quantification of damage. Freshwater Biology 50: 697-704.
Anastácio PM, Soares M, Correia AM. 2005. Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) consumption of wet-seeded rice plants (Oryza sativa): modifications throughout the rice growing period. Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol. 29: 849-851.
Anastácio PM, Correia AM, Menino JP, Martins da Silva L.2005. Are rice seedlings affected by changes in water quality caused by crayfish? Annales de Limnologie – International Journal of Limnology 41: 1-6.
Correia A.M. Bandeira N., Anastácio P.M.. 2005. Predator-prey interactions of Procambarus clarkii with aquatic macroinvertebrates in single and multiple prey systems. Acta Oecologica 28: 337-343.
Leite EP, Anastácio PM, Ferreira M, Vicente L, Correia AM. 2005. Do eastern mosquitofish exhibit anti-predator behavior towards red swamp crayfish? Zoological Studies 44: 513-518.
Correia A.M., Bandeira N. 2004. Seasonal availability of Procambarus clarkii in the Tejo river basin, Portugal. Freshwater Crayfish 14: 190-196.
Correia AM. 2003. Food choice by the introduced crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Annales Zoologici Fennici 40: 517-528.
Correia AM. 2002. Niche breadth and trophic diversity: feeding behaviour of the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) towards environmental availability of aquatic macroinvertebrates in a rice field (Portugal). Acta Oecologica 23: 421-429.
Correia AM. 2001. Seasonal and interspecific evaluation of predation by mammals and birds on the introduced red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Crustacea, Cambaridae) in a freshwater marsh (Portugal). Journal of Zoology (London) 55: 533-541.
Correia AM. 1998. Seasonal and circadian foraging activity of Procambarus clarkii (Decapoda, Cambaridae) in Portugal. Crustaceana 71:158-166.
Costa AC, Correia AM, Rodrigues ML. 1997. Monitoring a population of Procambarus clarkii (Decapoda, Cambaridae) in São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). Freshwater Crayfish 11: 203- 212.
Correia AM. 1995. Population dynamics of Procambarus clarkii (Crustacea: Decapoda) in Portugal. Freshwater Crayfish 8: 276-290.
Correia AM, Ferreira Ó. 1995. Burrowing behavior of the introduced red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in Portugal. Journal of Crustacean Biology 15: 248-257.

Oral Communications
2006. Ferreira M., Leite E. P., Anastácio P.M., Vicente L., Correia A.M. Do native Pelophylax perezi tadpoles respond behaviourally to the introduced crayfish Procambarus clarkii? IX Congresso Luso-Espanhol de Herpetologia, Donostia, San Sebastián, Espanha, Outubro.
2004. Anastácio P.M., Correia A.M., Menino J.P., Martins da Silva L. Are rice seedlings affected by changes in water quality caused by crayfish? IAA 15th International Symposium of Astacology, Londres, Reino Unido, Abril.
2004. Leite E.C., Ferreira M., Anastácio P.M., Vicente L., Correia A.M. Effect of Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) on Rana perezi (Seoane, 1885) and Hyla meridionalis (Boettger, 1874) tadpoles and eggs. IAA 15th International Symposium of Astacology, Londres, Reino Unido, Abril.
2002. Correia A.M., Bandeira N. Seasonal availability of Procambarus clarkii in the Tejo river basin, Portugal. IAA 14th International Symposium of Astacology, Querétaro, México, Agosto.
1992. Correia A.M. Length-weight relationships for two populations of red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Decapoda, Cambaridae) from Portugal. IAA 9th International Symposium of Astacology, Reading, Reino Unido, Abril.
1990. Correia A.M. Population dynamics of Procambarus clarkii (Crustacea: Decapoda) in Portugal. IAA 8th International Symposium of Astacology, Baton Rouge, Luisiana, EUA, Abril.

Posters
2010. Pousinha PA, Correia AM, Sebastião AM, JA Ribeiro. Modulation of the rat neuromuscular transmission by adenosine upon ageing. Purines Meeting 2010: Adenine Nucleosides and Nucleotides in Biomedicine, Tarragona-Barcelona, Spain, 30th May–2nd June
2009. Pousinha PA, Correia AM, Sebastião AM, JA Ribeiro. Modulation of the rat neuromuscular transmission by endogenous adenosine upon aging. Annual Meeting of the Society for Neurosciences, Chicago, EUA, 18-22 October
2009. Correia AM, Pousinha PA, Sebastião AM, JA Ribearo. Net Modulation of adenosine A1/A2A of the neuromuscular transmission upon aging. Annual Meeting of the Society for Neurosciences, Chicago, EUA, 18-22 October
2008. Mesquita N, Correia AM, Alves MJ. Microsatellite analysis of introduced populations of red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Crustacea, Cambaridae). Annual Meeting of the Society of Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE), Barcelona, Espanha, 5-8 June
2007. Correia AM, Anastácio PM. Is the diversity of aquatic invertebrates affected by the red swamp crayfish? 15th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS), Neijmegen, Holanda, 23-27 Setembro.
2006. Correia AM, Bandeira N, Anastácio PM. Influence of chemical and visual stimulus in food-search behaviour of Procambarus clarkii under non turbid conditions. Chemical Communication in Aquatic Systems (ChEAS), Firenze, Itália, 16-18 Outubro.
2004. Anastácio P.M., Soares M., Correia A.M. Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) consumption of wet-seeded rice plants (Oryza sativa): modifications throughout the rice growing period. SIL XXIX Congress, Lahti, Finlândia, Agosto.
2004. Barradas S., Anastácio P.M., Correia A.M. A multiple choice feeding experiment testing crayfish Procambarus clarkii potential effects on rice field macrophytes and algae. SIL XXIX Congress, Lahti, Finlândia, Agosto.
2004. Barradas S., Anastácio P.M., Correia A.M. Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) consumption on rice fields algae (Pithophora spp.). SIL XXIX Congress, Lahti, Finlândia, Agosto.
2004. Leite E.C., Ferreira M., Anastácio P.M., Vicente L., Correia A.M. Does Gambusia holbrooki present antipredator behaviour in the presence of Procambarus clarkii? SIL XXIX Congress, Lahti, Finlândia, Agosto.
2004. Anastácio P.M., Parente V.S., Correia A.M. How do crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) destroy rice seedlings? IAA 15th International Symposium of Astacology, Londres, Reino Unido, Abril.
2004. Barradas S.M., Anastácio P.M., Correia A.M. Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) effects on rice field algae and infesting macrophytes. IAA 15th International Symposium of Astacology, Londres, Reino Unido, Abril.
2004. Leite E.C., Ferreira M., Anastácio P.M., Vicente L., Correia A.M. Trophic interactions between Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) and Gambusia holbrooki (Girard, 1859) in rice fields. IAA 15th International Symposium of Astacology, Londres, Reino Unido, Abril.
2003. Barradas S.M., Anastácio P.M., Correia A.M. Efeitos do lagostim Procambarus clarkii sobre algas e infestantes dos arrozais. SPECO 8º Congresso Nacional de Ecologia, Évora, Outubro.
2002. Bandeira N., Correia A.M., Anastácio P.M. Effects of predation by Procambarus clarkii on Chironomus riparius. IAA 14th International Symposium of Astacology, Querétaro, México, Agosto.
2002. Anastácio P.M., Correia A.M., Menino J.P. Processes and patterns of rice destruction by crayfish Procambarus clarkii. IAA 14th International Symposium, Querétaro, México, Agosto.
2002. Parente V. S., Correia A. M., Anastácio P. M. Mecanismos de destruição de arroz nos seus estados iniciais de desenvolvimento por parte do lagostim-vermelho-da-Luisiana (Procambarus clarkii). IV Congresso da Sociedade Nacional de Etologia, Lisboa, Outubro.
2002. Correia A.M., Bandeira N., Anastácio P.M. Efeitos da predação de Procambarus clarkii em macroinvertebrados aquáticos. IV Congresso da Sociedade Nacional de Etologia, Lisboa, Outubro.
1996. Costa A.C., Correia A.M., Rodrigues M.L. 1997. Monitoring a population of Procambarus clarkii (Decapoda, Cambaridae) in São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). IAA 11th International Symposium of Astacology, Thunder Bay, Canadá, Agosto.
1993. Correia A.M. Status of the introduction of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii in Portugal. “International Senckenberg Symposium on Crustacea Decapoda”, Frankfurt, Alemanha, Outubro.

Organization of Scientific Meetings
1999. Member of the Organizing Committee of the “7th Colloquim on Crustacea Decapoda Mediterranea”. Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, 6-9 Setembro.

Projects
2010-2013. PTDC/SAU-NEU/101752/2008 - Cross talk between neurotrophic factor receptors (TrkB) and adenosine A2A receptors: implications for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa. Coordinator: Dr Joaquim Alexandre Ribeiro.

Previous Projects
2004-08. POCTI/BSE/46862/2002 - Genetic diversity in relation to variability of life history traits among introduced and native populations of Procambarus clarkii. Collaboration: MNHN/Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA); Universidade de Évora/Instituto do Mar (IMAR); Universidade dos Açores. Coordinator: AM Correia.
2003-08. POCTI/BSE/45672/2002 - Genetic and morphological differentiation in estuarine organisms with contrasting dispersal patterns along a geographical gradient. Collaboration: MNHN/CBA; Faculdade de Ciências (FCUL)/Instituto do Mar (IMAR); Universidade de Aveiro. Coordinator: Dr José Paula.
2002-05. POCTI/BSE/42558/2001 - Impact of the introduced red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in rice field ecosystems. MNHN/CBA; FCUL/CBA; Universidade de Évora/IMAR; Estação Agronómica Nacional (INIA). Coordinator: Dr Pedro Anastácio.
1997-98. Implementação de metodologias e equipamentos de campo e laboratoriais para monitorização da qualidade biológica da água na DRA LVT. Direcção Regional do Ambiente de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Coordinator: AM Correia.
1995-97. Biologia e aclimatação do lagostim-vermelho (Procambarus clarkii) na ilha de São Miguel. MNHN; Universidade dos Açores; Secretaria Regional de Habitação e Obras Públicas (Açores). Coordinator: Dr Ana Cristina Costa.
1995-96. Dinâmica populacional de P.clarkii no Paul do Boquilobo. MNHN; Reserva Natural do Paúl do Boquilobo, ICN. Coordinator: AM Correia.

Lectures in Advanced Courses
2003/04; 2004/05. “Introdução de espécies exóticas. O caso estudo do lagostim-vermelho-da-Luisiana” (6 hours). Subject: Ambiente, Recursos Naturais e Conservação, Coordinator: Dr Maria da Luz Mathias. Masters in Masters in Biologia da Conservação, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa.

Coordination of Ph Doctors
2009-2012. Bruno Pinto. Museu Nacional de História Natural.

Supervision of Ph D Students
2008-10. Alexandra Cartaxana. Biologia e ecologia do camarão Palaemon lonngirostris, H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) no rio Mira, Portugal. Supervisers: AM Correia, Dr Henrique Cabral. Universidade de Lisboa.

Supervision of Msc Students
2010-11. Mariana Rocha. Efeito da Adenosina na transmissão neuromuscular de um modelo transgénico de Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica. Masters: Neurociências. Supervisers: AM Correia, PA Pousinha. Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa.
2006-08. Sofia Leitão. Mecanismos de repartição dos sexos em Procambarus clarkii. Supervisers: AM Correia, Dr Maria José Boavida. Masters: Biologia da Conservação, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa.
2005-08. Diana Carvalho. Análise de microsatélites em populações introduzidas e nativas de Procambarus clarkii para a determinação de padrões de invasão. Supervisers: AM Correia, Dr Rui Rebelo, Dr Maria Judite Alves. Masters: Biologia da Conservação, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa.
2005-08. Emília Leite. Diferenciação populacional e variação morfológica de Palaemon longirostris, Palaemon elegans e Palaemonetes varians ao longo da costa portuguesa. Supervisers: Dr José Paula, AM Correia. Masters: Biologia e Gestão dos Recursos Marinhos, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa.

Supervision of Graduation Students
2003-04. Silvía Pedro. Diferenciação genética e morfológica num gastrópode com formas larvares planctónicas, Osilinus lineata, ao longo da costa portuguesa. Supervisers: Dr José Paula, Dr Judite Alves, AM Correia. Major Course: Biologia Aplicada aos Recursos Animais, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.
2003-04. Sónia Silva. Diferenciação de populações de crustáceos com distribuição contrastante ao longo da costa portuguesa. Supervisers: Dr José Paula, Dr Judite Alves, AM Correia. Major Course: Biologia Aplicada aos Recursos Animais, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.
2002-03. Emília Leite. Interacções tróficas entre Procambarus clarkii e vertebrados aquáticos que integram as biocenoses do arrozal. Supervisers: AM Correia, Dr Luís Vicente. Major Course: Biologia Aplicada aos Recursos Animais, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.
2001-02. Nuno Bandeira. Impacto do lagostim vermelho (Procambarus clarkii) nas biocenoses de macroinvertebrados aquáticos nas zonas de arrozal. Supervisers: AM Correia, Dr José Paula. Major Course: Biologia Aplicada aos Recursos Animais, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa.

Supervision of Professional Training
2004-05. Emília Leite. Gestão de colecções de História Natural: colecções de invertebrados marinhos. Programa de Estágios Profissionais, Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional e Fundo Social Europeu.