Professor Scientist, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Professor Jose G. Abreu, Ph.D., is a leading developmental neurobiologist whose work has made significant contributions to understanding embryonic development and its links to disease and longevity. With over two decades of academic service, he currently holds the position of Visiting Professor at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Systems Biology. His research career spans international institutions, and he has mentored numerous graduate students while driving impactful outreach initiatives. He is well-recognized in the scientific community for both his leadership roles and his innovative investigations in developmental biology.
Profile
Education🎓
Professor Abreu’s academic foundation was built in Brazil, where he earned his B.Sc. in Biology from Faculdade de Humanidades Pedro II in 1990. He pursued postgraduate studies at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), completing an M.Sc. in 1993 with research focused on the specific properties of midbrain glia. He continued at UFRJ for his Ph.D., which he completed in 1998, exploring the role of astroglial extracellular matrix in neuritogenesis. His doctoral work laid the groundwork for his lifelong interest in the cellular and molecular basis of development. Postdoctoral training at UCLA from 1999 to 2002 under the prestigious Latin American PEW Fellowship deepened his expertise in developmental biology and positioned him as an emerging leader in the field.
Experience 💼
With a long-standing association with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Professor Abreu rose through academic ranks from Assistant Professor to Full Professor at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences. His administrative experience includes directing the Institute from 2019 to 2023 and serving in various associate director roles overseeing research and undergraduate education. He coordinated the Graduate Program in Morphological Sciences and led national initiatives at the Brazilian CNPq. His international experience includes sabbaticals as a Visiting Scientist at Boston Children’s Hospital and research appointments in renowned U.S. labs, including his current role at Harvard Medical School. He has also dedicated significant efforts to science outreach programs for underserved communities in Brazil.
Research Interest 🔬
Professor Abreu’s research focuses on developmental biology, particularly the molecular signaling pathways that govern cell fate, morphogenesis, and regeneration. He is especially interested in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and its modulation by natural compounds in cancer and developmental processes. His work explores how embryonic development mechanisms can inform therapeutic strategies and impact human longevity. His interdisciplinary approach integrates molecular biology, embryology, and systems biology, often using model organisms such as Xenopus laevis.
Awards 🏅
Professor Abreu has received numerous awards throughout his career. Notably, he was recently awarded the 2025 Lemann Brazil Research Fund award for advancing biomedical science. He holds a long-standing Research Productivity Scholarship (Level 1B) from CNPq and is recognized as a Scientist of Our State by the FAPERJ agency. His academic leadership was celebrated in 2019 with a tribute for establishing the UFRJ medical school in Macaé and as the Patron of the Biology Class at UFRJ. These accolades, among others, highlight his outstanding scientific output, mentorship, and commitment to public education and policy.
Publication Top Note 📚
Luana G. de Souza, et al.
Aryl-α-tetralone Derivatives and Fluorinated Analogs: Synthesis and Antiproliferative Evaluation on Colorectal Cancer via Inhibition of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling.
Journal of Molecular Structure, 2025
Oliveira, L. F., et al.
Therapeutic Potential of Naturally Occurring Small Molecules to Target the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer.
Cancers, Vol. 14, p. 403, 2022.
Predes, D., Abreu, J. G., et al.
The Flavonol Quercitrin Hinders GSK3 Activity and Potentiates the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 23, p. 12078–20, 2022.
Velloso, A., et al.
Establishing Embryonic Territories in the Context of Wnt Signaling.
International Journal of Developmental Biology, Vol. 65, pp. 227–233, 2021.
Abreu, J. G.
UNESCO Chair of Developmental Biology: How an Initiative that Fostered Careers in Developmental Biology Impacted Brazilian Science.
International Journal of Developmental Biology, Vol. 65, pp. 23–28, 2021.
Pentagna, N., da Costa, T. P., Cardoso, T. S. S., de Almeida, F. M., Martinez, A. M. B., Abreu, J. G., Levin, M., Carneiro, K.
Epigenetic Control of Myeloid Cells Behavior by Histone Deacetylase Activity (HDAC) During Tissue and Organ Regeneration in Xenopus laevis.
Developmental and Comparative Immunology, Vol. 114, Article 103840, 2021.
Conclusion 🌟
Professor Jose G. Abreu exemplifies scientific leadership through a rich blend of research, mentorship, and public engagement. His scholarly contributions have enhanced the global understanding of developmental biology, and his collaborative efforts have built lasting academic bridges between Brazil and the international community. His commitment to both advanced research and community outreach positions him as a distinguished candidate for any scientific honor or recognition, as he continues to inspire the next generation of biomedical researchers.