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Milene Fontes is a postdoc in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care at VUMC, working in the lab of Dr. Ryan Stark since July 2024. Her research focuses on how blood vessels respond to infectious challenges, with the goal of identifying mechanisms that contribute to vascular damage in diseases like sepsis and informing future treatments for inflammation-related vascular conditions.

Originally from a small town in northeastern Brazil, she began her scientific journey during her undergraduate studies, where she joined a cardiovascular physiology lab and discovered a passion for research. She went on to earn her Ph.D. from the University of São Paulo—one of Latin America’s top research institutions—where she also spent three years teaching undergraduate students, an experience that shaped her commitment to mentorship and knowledge-sharing.

Before coming to Vanderbilt, Milene completed her first postdoctoral fellowship at the University of South Carolina. Over the past year, she has embraced both the challenges and opportunities of her current role, particularly enjoying the hands-on aspects of research—from refining new techniques to analyzing data and constructing scientific narratives that deepen our understanding of human physiology.

Outside the lab, Milene enjoys walking with her dog, exploring Nashville, cooking, and spending time with friends. She appreciates the vibrant and diverse community at Vanderbilt and looks forward to continuing her academic path by leading her own research group and mentoring the next generation of scientists.