Two new PhD scholarships funded
- Spark Lab Vieira
- Aug 31, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: May 20, 2024
Two members of the Spark Lab team – Bruna Cruz and José Gabriel Figueiredo - have been granted a scholarship from the ‘2023 Call for PhD Studentships’ funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).
Bruna’s workplan focuses on the characterization of new candidate neuroregenerative targets for the treatment of spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Leveraging the promising results from our previous FCT-funded GoBack project, the goal is to identify early-regulated genes able to trigger robust neuroregenerative programs and assess their potential for clinical translation. Bruna’s PhD research work will be mainly conducted at the Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED) of the University of Aveiro, supervised by Dr. Sandra Vieira (Spark Lab’s PI) and co-supervised by Dr. Frank Bosse from Heinrich-Heine University (Dusseldorf, Germany) and Dr. Stephane Belin from the Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences (GIN, France). Ref: 2023.03623.BD
José Gabriel’s thesis will address the characterization of brain information transfer dynamics and neurorehabilitation effects of a brain-machine interface (BMI) intervention in SCI patients. It is intended to monitor the cortical activity of healthy and SCI participants subjected to a BMI protocol - consisting on the control of an avatar through motor imagery in an immersive virtual reality environment - and assess the eventual occurrence of neuroplasticity, relating these measurements with SCI-related markers and clinical evolution. This work will be jointly supervised by Dr. Miguel Santos Pais Vieira (iBiMED, University of Aveiro) and Dr. Sandra Vieira. Ref: 2023.02051.BD
Congratulations, Bruna and José Gabriel!
Congratulations to Bruna Cruz and José Gabriel Figueiredo on receiving these prestigious PhD scholarships—this is an impressive achievement and a great example of how funded research opportunities support advanced academic and scientific progress. For students planning to pursue PhD programmes or research degrees abroad, having the right guidance is essential. Platforms like GraddingHomes help students studying overseas with course and university selection and also assist in finding comfortable and reliable student accommodation in Falmouth, allowing researchers to focus fully on their studies and innovations.
Two new PhD scholarships funded mark a significant step toward expanding access to advanced research opportunities for aspiring scholars. These fully funded positions aim to support talented candidates who demonstrate strong academic potential and a clear research vision. With growing global competition for PhD admissions, language proficiency and communication skills have become essential selection criteria. Many applicants now strengthen their profiles by preparing through reliable resources such as an ielts speaking test online free, which helps them build confidence and fluency for interviews, presentations, and international academic environments.
As universities continue to attract diverse research talent, scholarships like these not only reduce financial barriers but also encourage students to upskill early. Preparing for academic life goes beyond research proposals—it includes effective…
Congratulations to Bruna Cruz and José Gabriel Figueiredo on receiving these prestigious PhD scholarships! Achievements like these highlight the importance of financial support in enabling advanced research and academic excellence. Scholarships not only make high-level study more accessible but also provide opportunities to collaborate internationally and gain exposure to cutting-edge research environments.
Studying abroad or participating in international collaborations brings many benefits, such as exposure to diverse methodologies, networking with global experts, and enhancing career prospects in academia or industry. Alongside academic planning, considering practical aspects like living arrangements is essential. For students exploring other study destinations like the UK, knowing about student accommodation in Leicester can be helpful for finding safe and convenient housing near their university.
Wishing both researchers…
Great news about the two new PhD scholarships funded—this highlights growing support for advanced research and international scholars. For students considering De Montfort University, such funding can also make the UK student visa journey more accessible by easing financial requirements while pursuing high-quality doctoral studies in the UK.