Dr Karla Neves

What is your role at your work?

Lecturer, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), and Researcher/Group Leader at University of Strathclyde

How did you get interested in your career path?

I was always fascinated with the cardiovascular field, and I was very fortunate to have mentorship from a researcher working in hypertension who put me in contact with a top researcher in the field from Brazil, who inspired me to pursue a career in hypertension.

What are you most proud of in your career or otherwise?

I am extremely proud of absolutely everything I have accomplished so far. Each decision I have made throughout these years was precious for me to be exactly where I am today. But I cannot forget to mention how proud I am of working together and building a fantastic relationship with excellent researchers and colleagues in hypertension and cardiovascular oncology.

What important career challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?

Moving abroad and leaving family behind was quite challenging. Balancing personal and work life can be also difficult, and I may have underestimated it.

I always had a fantastic support at home and friends, amazing mentors, and guidance from supervisors. In addition, I have developed some skills that certainly contributed, such focus in my long-term goals, multitasking and time management. All this helped me to overcome these career challenges.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Work hard and challenge yourself with new opportunities, even if they seem terrifying: you can do it! But do not forget to enjoy your free time to recharge your batteries.

Highlight your most significant research contributions and publications (3-5) – if relevant to you.

• van Dorst DCH, Dobbin SJH, Neves KB, Herrmann J, Herrmann SM, Versmissen J, Mathijssen RHJ, Danser AHJ, Lang NN. Hypertension and Prohypertensive Antineoplastic Therapies in Cancer Patients. Circ Res. 2021; 128(7):1040-1061. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.318051.
• Neves KB, Montezano AC, Lang NN, Touyz RM. Vascular toxicity associated with anti-angiogenic drugs. Clin Sci 2020 Sep 30;134(18):2503-2520 doi: 10.1042/CS20200308.
• Neves KB, Harvey AP, Moreton F, Montezano AC, Rios FJ, Alves-Lopes R, Nguyen Dinh Cat A, Rocchicciolli P, Delles C, Joutel A, Muir K, Touyz RM. ER stress and Rho kinase activation underlie the vasculopathy of CADASIL. JCI Insight. 2019 Dec 5;4(23): e131344.
• Neves KB, Rios FJ, Jones R, Evans TRJ, Montezano AC, Touyz RM. Microparticles from VEGF inhibitor-treated cancer patients mediate endothelial cell injury. Cardiov Res 2019 Apr 15;115(5):978-988. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvz021.
• Rossitto G, Mary S, Chen JY, Boder P, Chew KS, Neves KB, Alves-Lopes R, Montezano AC, Welsh P, Petrie M, Graham D, Touyz RM, Delles C. Tissue Sodium Excess is not Hypertonic and Reflects Extracellular Volume Expansion. Nature Communications, 2020 Aug 24;11(1): 4222. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17820-2.

Have you had any significant career mentors? If yes, please provide further details.

Absolutely! I strongly believe we must have mentors in our careers. I always say I am extremely fortunate to have had amazing people crossing my path, and two of these mentors are women leaders in their researcher field and amazing human being, who have helped me enormously to become a researcher and better shape my interests and career.

How can we support the next generation of women scientists?

I believe we must attract more women to our network of researchers, to help with mentorship, more visibility, collaborations, and networking. Also, we need to advocate for gender equality at conferences, in research awards, and leadership positions. Research organizations and Institutions would help by supporting gender equality at all levels, increasing leadership opportunities and recognition for women, and finally, by promoting highly talented women researchers to senior positions.