BredaLab Team
Present members

YULLI MORAED FERREIRA PASSOS
Research Associate
“I am a pharmacist, but my focus has always been research. I have over nine years of background in neurodegeneration research and have worked in different labs. I am originally from Rio de Janeiro, where I completed my BSc and MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences. I moved to the UK to pursue my PhD at DMU in 2020 and have just submitted my thesis working with Parkinson’s and the gut microbiome in a fruit fly model. During my time off, I enjoy walking around the peak district with my dog, and I love baking, my signature dish is a cherry Bakewell cake.”
ZUZANNA KULA
Frontrunner Student => PhD Student
I started my science journey at De Montfort University on Medical Science course, which I completed with a First Honours degree. I joined Dr Breda’s lab during my third year as a Neurogenetics Frontrunner and that’s where I learned about the power of a fruit fly. I was fascinated with genetics and under the supervision of Dr Breda I have learned many research techniques that allowed me to secure a PhD. Now I am a first year PhD student and I am investigating sphingolipid pathways in Parkinson’s disease development using fly and cell models. Dr Breda is my second supervisor and continues to support me through my science journey. I enjoy working at his lab greatly and I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities I was given during my time at DMU. When I’m not in the lab looking after the flies or cells, I work as a waitress, crocheting or developing my passion for exotic animals further.
When I’m not in the lab looking after the flies, I’m working as a waitress, learning Portuguese, or developing further my passion for exotic animals.


IRENE RINALDI
Visiting PhD Student (University of Bologna, Italy)
Biotechnologist by training, I completed both my bachelor’s and master’s studies in Bologna, Italy. Driven by a deep curiosity and fascinated by the challenges of scientific research, I started my PhD in Biochemistry. My project mainly aims to study the potential therapeutic roles of natural compounds in neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on neuroinflammation. As I enter my third year of PhD, I am moving from cell-based systems to fly models. Dr Breda is hosting me for six months in his lab at De Montfort University, where I will learn how to exploit these powerful model organisms, with a particular focus on Parkinson’s disease models.
In my free time, depending on my mood, I enjoy a variety of activities such as cooking, baking, reading, watching TV series, practising yoga, or doing puzzles.
KEISHA PATEL
PhD Student
I recently graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc in Pharmacology. My interest in the brain’s complex mechanisms and their role in neurological disorders has motivated me to pursue a PhD under the supervision of Dr. Carlo Breda.
My research focuses on using fruit flies to understand the connection between sleep disturbances and circadian disruptions in relation to neurodegenerative diseases, particularly within the context of our increasingly 24/7 society. Additionally, I aim to explore novel genes associated with autism by assessing their impact on cognition and sleep patterns.
Outside the lab, I enjoy cooking and baking, often trying new recipes. I also love travelling to different countries and spending quality time with family and friends.


LAUREN AMOS
PhD Student
After beginning my career in forensic science, I decided to make a career change by returning to De Montfort University to pursue an MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. My interest in genetics and neurodegeneration is now being continued with research in Dr. Breda’s group, where I will investigate the genetic involvement of RAB39B in Parkinson’s disease using Drosophila models. Conducting genetic studies with fruit flies is new to me, however, I am very eager to learn and see what F-lies ahead.
Outside the lab, I enjoy running and paddle boarding during the summer. I also love travelling, visiting historical sites, and watching rugby (especially Leicester Tigers).
BARTOSZ LOCH
FrontRunner Student
I am a third-year undergraduate student in medical science, currently undertaking a molecular and behavioural genetics frontrunner internship in Dr Breda’s laboratory.
My research focuses on the role of the autism-related gene in the central nervous system (CNS) by analysing the sleep perturbation in Drosophila melanogaster. This study aims to elucidate the regulatory functions of this autism gene in CNS physiology, sleep and circadian rhythmicity. Observed disruptions in sleep-wake cycles or CNS abnormalities may provide insights into potential parallels between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID).
I aim to apply the skills and knowledge gained during this internship to further my academic pursuits and to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare system and the well-being of patients in my future career.


ANRICA D’SOUZA
Master Student (University of Leicester)
I am a biomedical scientist by profession, driven by a deep fascination with human diseases that have a genetic basis. This passion has inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Molecular Genetics at the University of Leicester. For my Master’s research project, I am excited to work in Dr. Breda’s lab, focusing on the role of vesicle trafficking in Parkinson’s disease, with a particular emphasis on utilizing the Drosophila (fly) model to explore disease mechanisms.
During my free time, I enjoy watching TV series, playing badminton, spending time with friends, and discovering new places. I look forward to contributing to the lab’s research while learning and growing alongside the team.
Previous Members
ELLIE MAKIN
Frontrunner Student
I am a second-year undergraduate Biomedical Sciences student currently completing my internship as a Molecular and Behavioural Genetics Frontrunner. During my first semester in Dr Breda’s lab, I have been introduced to the use of fruit flies as a model organism and learnt about the beauty of genetics in practice. I hope to use the skills I have gained under Dr Breda’s supervision to further my future career in research as I continue my studies at De Montfort University. Outside of the lab, I am the chairwoman of DMU Barbell, the university’s powerlifting team!


WERONIKA WROCLAWSKA
Third Year Biomedical student
As a passionate third-year biomedical science student at Montfort University, I appreciate research and I would love to embark on a PhD journey after my graduation. My academic pursuits have instilled in me a passion for the fascinating world of Genetics, particularly on Parkinson’s disease and neurodegenerative disorders.
Outside the lab, I enjoy travelling, cooking traditional food, and learning new skills and languages.
I’m also passionate about helping others, volunteering as a care assistant and support worker which has given me valuable insights into psychiatric disorders and disabilities. These roles have provided me with invaluable insights into the multifarious requirements of persons with an array of disabilities.
Embarking on my medical research journey, I extend profound gratitude to Dr. Breda for being part of his group. I’m driven by a strong desire to learn and foster meaningful scientific discoveries that can make an impact.
MIA O’CONNOR
Frontrunner Student
I’m a second year undergraduate Medical Science Student, currently completing a molecular and behaviour genetics Frontrunner internship in Dr Breda’s Lab. During my time in Dr Breda’s lab, I have learnt how important genetics is in research and have had an insight into doing a research project, while using fruit flies as model organisms. I hope to use this experience to integrate the knowledge I have gained into completing my course, as well as in any further studies I endure. When I’m away from the lab, I am a part of the DMU Women’s Football Team competing in a league against other universities around the country.


CHARLEY CLARK
Volunteering Frontrunner Student = Project Student
I am a second-year undergraduate Medical Science student who had the pleasure of volunteering in Dr Breda’s lab over the past academic year. With a love of genetics, this experience gave me a deeper understanding of the use of fruit flies to study human diseases. I was lucky enough to work on genetic crosses for a project investigating a specific neurodevelopmental pathology.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time under Dr Breda’s supervision, and the skills and knowledge I acquired have allowed me to secure a genetics-based summer internship (University of Edinburgh), as well as a year-long placement (Glenfield Hospital). My interest in the interaction between genetics and the pathogenesis of the disease remains, with the hopes of carrying this through my future research career.
JOSIE DUNNE
Frontrunner Student
I’m currently a third-year undergraduate at DMU studying Nutrition. I’m a mature student and my previous work has been as a chef. I love yoga and was chairperson of the yoga society at DMU for two consecutive years. I also love nature and animals, particularly baby goats.
My primary passion is Nutrigenomics, epigenetics and understanding nutrition’s impact on molecular pathways. I feel understanding the mechanisms by which nutritional compounds interact with our bodies on a biochemical level can give an insight into key transduction pathways in disease and reveal effective new targets for drugs. My dream for future research would be to investigate the natural metabolic shift that occurs with ageing; this ‘Warburg effect’ also coincides with cancer aetiology and I would love to study the interaction of metabolic shift with oxidative stress, nutrition, genetics and the related pathologies- particularly neurodegenerative conditions.
I have been very lucky to have been given the opportunity of working in Dr Breda’s lab, both as a frontrunner and for a studentship project and I’m really looking forward to developing my knowledge and skill set further.


DUYGU KEMEL
Master Student
My project is focusing on understanding the effect of quinolinic acid – a neuroactive metabolite of the kynurenine pathway – on Drosophila behaviour.
VENITE ISIOMA NKAMA
Master Student
Venite I. Nkama is an International student from Nigeria who moved to the United Kingdom for her Master’s in Advanced Biomedical Science at the Faculty of Health and Life Science, Leicester School of Allied Health Science, De Montfort University. She is also a Clinical Biomedical Scientist who majored in Chemical Pathology/Biochemistry during her BSc and is currently registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) in the UK and also an associate member of the Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria (MLSCN). In addition to her career, she has developed a keen interest in research and writing. Her current research focuses on Neurobiology, where she is curious about the combined effects of downregulating Ras analogue in the brain (Rab39B) GTPases and over-expressing alpha-synuclein in the brain cells of Drosophila melanogaster models of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). She hopes to establish how these two proteins synergistically initiate Parkinson’s disease and the outcome of her research will provide insight into future therapeutic interventions.

Previous Undergraduate students
Interested in having a chat with one of team members to have a first-hand understanding of what you can achieve during a project? Do you want some insights in what is about working with fruitflies? Would you like to understand what is the BredaLab enviroment? Get in touch and I will be happy to arrange a meeting with one of them