Laura Alves Cota e Souza

Biography and Expertise of Laura Alves Cota e Souza

Dr. Laura Alves Cota e Souza is a dedicated scientist whose career is focused on the intersection of pharmaceutical sciences, women’s health, and integrative medicine. Her academic and research activities are concentrated at the Federal University of Ouro Preto, where she investigates critical health challenges faced by women during the climacteric and menopause, including prevalent metabolic disorders. Furthermore, her work explores the therapeutic potential of integrative practices such as yoga, probiotics, Reiki, and aromatherapy to manage symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

Her research aligns directly with the congress’s core themes, particularly Thematic Axis 3: Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based). Dr. Souza’s studies on how yoga practice can reduce metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors provide the scientific validation called for by the Gujarat Declaration. By measuring objective outcomes through biochemical and molecular markers, her work strengthens the evidence base for integrating these practices into conventional healthcare protocols for chronic disease management.

Moreover, the translational nature of her work, which includes community outreach projects, connects with Thematic Axis 2: Integration of TCIM into Health Systems. Through initiatives like “Yoga for Women in the Climacteric,” Laura Alves Cota e Souza demonstrates a practical model for implementing evidence-based integrative practices at the community level. This approach directly supports the congress motto of fostering “Well-being Societies” by empowering individuals with accessible tools for health promotion.

Professional Career

Dr. Laura Alves Cota e Souza‘s career shows a consistent progression from clinical practice to academic research and higher education. This path provides a comprehensive healthcare perspective, blending patient care with scientific investigation. Her experiences span hospital, academic, and consulting environments.

Each position contributed to her focus on evidence-based integrative health. Her work as a clinical pharmacist established an understanding of conventional treatments, while academic roles allowed her to explore complementary approaches.

• 2023 – Present: As a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Federal University of Ouro Preto, she investigates the effects of probiotics and yoga on glycemic control and metabolic syndrome in climacteric women, advancing research in integrative health.
• 2023: Served as a Scientific Consultant at PreScouter, conducting evidence-based analyses for innovation projects in nutrition and health in a corporate context.
• 2019 – 2020: Held the position of Substitute Professor of Clinical Biochemistry at the Federal University of Ouro Preto, teaching and mentoring undergraduate students.
• 2015 – 2016: Worked as a Hospital Clinical Pharmacist at Hospital Monsenhor Horta, gaining experience in patient care and medication management.
• Her career also includes significant experience supervising undergraduate students and coordinating research-extension interface projects, bridging academic findings with community health needs.

Academic Qualifications

Dr. Laura Alves Cota e Souza‘s academic background is characterized by a deep and continuous commitment to the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), where she completed her entire higher education journey. This long-standing affiliation has allowed her to build a cohesive and focused line of research, with each academic stage progressively deepening her expertise in pharmaceutical sciences and integrative health for women.

Her doctoral and master’s research specifically laid the groundwork for her current investigations into non-pharmacological interventions for menopause-related health issues. This consistent academic focus demonstrates a long-term dedication to generating scientific knowledge in her chosen field. Therefore, her qualifications reflect a strong foundation in both research methodology and subject matter expertise.

• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biological Sciences (2023 – 2025): Currently advancing her research at UFOP with a fellowship from FAPEMIG, one of Brazil’s leading research funding agencies.
• PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2022): Her doctoral thesis was titled “Effect of yoga practice on symptoms, anthropometric and laboratory parameters, and quality of life in climacteric women,” highlighting her focus on quantifiable health outcomes.
• MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2018): Her master’s dissertation focused on the relationship between yoga and metabolic health in climacteric women, establishing the initial phase of her specialized research.
• BSc in Pharmacy (2015): She obtained her foundational degree in Pharmacy from UFOP, which provided her with a comprehensive understanding of pharmacology and clinical sciences.

Research and Publications

The research program led by Dr. Laura Alves Cota e Souza is centered on addressing key health issues for women, particularly during the menopausal transition. Her interests include the management of metabolic disorders through integrative and complementary health practices. She investigates a range of modalities, including yoga, probiotics, Reiki, and aromatherapy, using rigorous scientific methods to evaluate their effects on biochemical and molecular markers of metabolic and cardiovascular risk.

Her work is fundamentally translational, aiming to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and community health promotion. This is evident in her current postdoctoral research, which explores the synergistic effects of probiotics and yoga on metabolic syndrome in climacteric women. Consequently, her investigations contribute directly to developing evidence-based, non-pharmacological strategies for improving women’s health.

Selected Publications

Dr. Souza has authored several articles in scientific journals, disseminating her findings to the international academic community. Her publications provide concrete evidence for the benefits of integrative practices. For instance, her 2023 article in the *Journal of Behavioral Medicine* established that yoga practice can reduce metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk in climacteric women. Another 2023 publication in *Scientific Reports* explored the association of uric acid levels with clinical parameters in this population. Previous work in *Climacteric* (2021) and *Explore* (2020) detailed the positive effects of yoga on anthropometric parameters and quality of life, further solidifying the scientific basis for her work.

Awards and Recognitions

The academic and professional excellence of Dr. Laura Alves Cota e Souza was recognized early in her career through prestigious awards. These honors, bestowed upon her at the culmination of her undergraduate studies, highlight her outstanding performance and commitment to the field of pharmacy from the outset. Such recognition serves as an indicator of her potential and dedication, which she has continued to demonstrate throughout her subsequent academic and research endeavors.

These awards reflect the high esteem in which she was held by both her academic institution and the regional professional body. Therefore, they represent a strong foundation of peer-acknowledged achievement upon which her specialized career in research has been built.

• Professor Lúcio Guedes Barra Medal (2014): Awarded by the Regional Pharmacy Council of Minas Gerais, this medal recognizes distinguished graduates for their exceptional contributions and academic merit in the pharmaceutical field.
• “Outstanding Pharmacy Graduate” (2014): This honor was conferred by the Federal University of Ouro Preto to acknowledge her as a top-performing student in her graduating class, marking her as a promising future professional and researcher.

Connect with Dr. Souza

To further explore the research contributions and academic profile of Dr. Laura Alves Cota e Souza, you can consult her official scientific record. Her ORCID profile provides a comprehensive list of her publications, research activities, and professional affiliations. This resource offers detailed insight into her work on women’s health and integrative medicine.

ORCID Profile: View Full Academic Profile