Prof. Dr. Luciana Barros de Arruda is currently an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1997), a master’s degree in Biological Sciences (Biophysics) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1999), and a PhD in Biological Sciences (Biophysics) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2003), with a visiting researcher fellowship at Johns Hopkins University (2001-2003). She has experience in the areas of virology and immunology, working mainly on the following topics: viral replication and modulation of endothelial cell physiology in arbovirus infection, aiming to understand microvascular disorders and viral dissemination; studies on the role of cholesterol metabolism in modulating viral replication and inflammatory response in HIV and SARS-CoV-2 infections; and the development of genetic vaccines.