Dr. Melina Ribeiro is a Molecular Biologist with 18 years of experience on biomedical research. As a PhD student, her joint work from the Universidade de Brasilia and University of Miami (DRI) was focused on treatment of islet of Langerhans with TAT linked antioxidant proteins such as Heme oxygenase-1, Bcl-XL and others to revert apoptosis signaling and increase islet culture yield prior to transplantation in Type 1 diabetic mice. The goal was reversal of Type 1 diabetes. During this process, a novel endotoxin elimination process of recombinant proteins was also found.
Ribeiro also worked on a new polymer, Biodritin (BDRTN), an immune barrier microcapsule for protection of transplantable islets.
During her postdoctoral experience at UM, Ribeiro worked with breast and ovarian cancer. This gave her the background she needed to accept her current teaching position in Histology.
Dr. Ribeiro currently teaches Histology (Lecture and Lab), Genetics, and Human Biology (Lecture and Lab). Dr. Ribeiro is committed to advancing STEM education as a transformative academic endeavor—one that cultivates intellectual rigor, fosters self-efficacy, and equips students with the knowledge and skills essential for lifelong success, in an ever-evolving and complex global society.