Meet Cristina Costa, Pharmacologist, Neuroscience in vitro, Pharmac. & Biology at BIAL!

ACADEMIA AND MOTIVATION

I obtained my Master’s degree in Biochemistry from ICBAS, where every day when I stepped into the facilities, I could read the quote "The doctor who only knows about medicine, doesn't even know medicine." I couldn't agree more. I always try to see problems holistically, as I believe we cannot reduce diseases and disorders to just one neurotransmitter, protein, or gene. By acknowledging that everything matters and is interconnected, we can better comprehend the underlying mechanisms and uncover effective approaches for treatment.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK AT BIAL?

The best thing about my job is the constant opportunity to learn and discover new things about the human brain in both health and disease. This knowledge empowers me to make informed decisions and contribute to the development of potential therapies.

In my daily routine, I typically implement and perform assays to screen or characterise new chemical compounds for a particular target and evaluate potential targets to cure diseases, with a specific focus on the central nervous system. I also engage in discussions with colleagues from diverse backgrounds to strategise and develop our molecules for our BIA projects. Additionally, I dedicate time to reading scientific papers and assessing new targets for future projects.

WHY BIAL?

BIAL’s mission and the chance to make a positive impact on people’s lives drew my interest.

Over the years, BIAL has transformed its culture and places value on maintaining a healthy work-life balance for its employees. BIAL also values hard work and commitment, providing competitive compensation packages and opportunities for career advancement and personal growth.

JOURNEY AT BIAL

If there’s one word I could use to describe my experience with BIAL, it would be "fulfilling” because I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in my work. Every day, I feel that I can make a positive impact and contribute to something meaningful.

This job not only allows me to grow professionally but also gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment in my personal life!