Ana Cristina Leandro, Ph.D.

Faculty Profile Picture Dr Ana Leandro Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Research

Department of Human Genetics

South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute

School of Medicine


Office: Luis Colom Biomedical Research Building
1 West University Blvd
Brownsville, TX.  78520
Phone: +1 (956)-882-7638
Email: ana.leandro@utrgv.edu 

 

Education

2009 Ph.D. Infectious Disease Clinical Research, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2001 M.Sc. Parasitology Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1999 B.Sc. Biomedical Science, Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UNI-RIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


Research Focus

Dr. Leandro’s research focus and expertise is in the molecular and functional aspects of gene identification for complex diseases. Dr. Leandro is involved in several projects where she manages the molecular components, being responsible for the phenotyping and sequencing of sample from several complex diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, tuberculosis, bipolar disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Leandro has also played a major role in a few large-scale human genetic projects within STDOI investigating the susceptibility to complex diseases. Currently, Dr. Leandro is the PI of a study investigating epigenetic influences on Alzheimer’s disease risk. This project will utilize Dr. Leandro expertise in high-throughput genomic technologies, and basic statistical analyses. Dr. Leandro is also interested in the genetic and immunological aspects of Vitamin D, and its role in complex disease.

Dr. Leandro is also focused on improving laboratory work design and applying several advanced techniques to achieve better results for all collaborators. Dr. Leandro has optimized the next generation sequencing, immunophenotyping, epigenetic and molecular genotyping protocols used on a daily basis in the STDOI laboratories. Aside from the laboratory facility responsibilities Dr. Leandro oversees the many trainees wanting research experiences in the STDOI, teaching them several advanced laboratory skills and assisting with basic data analysis and report writing, giving them necessary experience for their future endeavors.

Highlighted Publications

  • Leandro AC, Rocha MA, Lamoglia-Souza A, VandeBerg JL, Rolla VC, Bonecini-Almeida Mda G. No association of IFNG+874T/A SNP and NOS2A-954G/C SNP variants with nitric oxide radical serum levels or susceptibility to tuberculosis in a Brazilian population subset. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:901740. doi: 10.1155/2013/901740. Epub 2013 Aug 18. PMID: 24024215; PMCID: PMC3759278.
  • Leandro AC, Rocha MA, Cardoso CS, Bonecini-Almeida MG. Genetic polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor, vitamin D-binding protein, Toll-like receptor 2, nitric oxide synthase 2, and interferon-gamma genes and its association with susceptibility to tuberculosis. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2009 Apr;42(4):312-22. doi: 10.1590/s0100-879x2009000400002. PMID: 19330258.

Recent Publications