FASEB Fellows for the Future

Maria Fernanda Forni, PhD

Maria Fernanda Forni is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB) at Yale University. Her research aims to elucidate how metabolism controls cell fate and function during development, regeneration, and aging in mammals. Forni began her academic journey at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, where she completed her undergraduate studies in biology. She continued her education at the same institution, earning her doctorate in collaboration with the University of Cambridge. She focused on the molecular mechanisms of glutathione depletion on skin stem cell homeostasis and aging under the guidance of professors Mari C. Sogayar and Fiona Watt. 

Forni then joined Yale University as a Pew Latin American Fellow. At Yale, she continued her research on aging metabolism and caloric restriction, focusing on novel mediators that modulate stem cell fate under the mentorship of professor Valerie Horsley. 

Throughout her career, Forni has received numerous honors and awards. She received the Young Scientist Award from the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Her exemplary work in the field of metabolism and aging has been further acknowledged through various travel and presentation awards, including the Seahorse Travel Award at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting and the Young Scientist Award at the Society of Biochemistry and Brazilian Molecular Biology (SBBq) symposium. Forni's contributions extend beyond her research. She has been an active member of several professional societies, including the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) and the International Society for Regenerative Biology (ISRB). Her commitment to advancing science and supporting her peers is evident through her roles as a mentor, speaker, and organizer of academic events. 

In 2020, Forni received the MCDB Certificates of Recognition for Enhancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Yale University, recognizing her leadership and dedication to fostering DEI. Her ongoing efforts to advocate for and support historically underrepresented communities in science underscore her commitment to creating a more inclusive scientific community. Forni's research has been widely published, with over 23 peer-reviewed publications, including 10 as the first author. Her notable works include studies on apoptosis recognition receptors in skin tissue repair, dynamic quality control machinery in nuclear membrane protein degradation, and immunometabolic shifts in cytotoxic lymphocyte activation.

FASEB Member Society: American Aging Association