Ms Thayana Torquato is a PhD Student passionate for cell biology and in vitro disease modelling. She strives to gain a deeper understanding on how cells function and interact with each other and their environment in diseased contexts. By developing new in vitro models to study disease mechanisms, Thayana hopes to make a lasting impact in the lives of patients suffering from diseases with limited treatment options, such as Calcific Valve Disease (CAVD).

Her PhD project focuses studying the mechanisms involved in the progression of Aortic Stenosis, exploring how valve and immune cells react to substrate stiffness and extracellular matrix alteration in calcified aortic valves. By applying hydrogels and organ-on-a-chip models, Thayana aims to contribute to our understanding of complex biological processes and identify potential targets for the development of novel treatments.