Alexandre Castro Caldas
Full Professor, PhD.
Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing of the Catholic University of Portugal
Medicine, Neurology and Neurosciences
Bio
Professor Alexandre Castro Caldas is a distinguished neurologist and academic renowned for his extensive contributions to cognitive neuroscience and neurology. His career, spanning several decades, encompasses significant roles in medical education, research, and leadership within the healthcare and academic sectors.
Professor Castro Caldas completed his medical degree (MD) in 1973 and earned his doctorate (PhD) in Psychiatry in 1980 from the University of Lisbon School of Medicine. He commenced his academic career at the same institution in 1974, progressively advancing through various academic ranks. In 1985, he achieved the title of 'Agregado,' a qualification for full professorship in the Portuguese academic system.
From 1990 to 2004, Professor Castro Caldas served as a Full Professor of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon and as Director of the Neurology Service at Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon. In these capacities, he was instrumental in advancing neurological education and patient care.
In 2004, he was appointed Director of the Institute of Health Sciences at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), a position he held until 2020. During his tenure, he laid the groundwork for the creation of the Integrated Master in Medicine program, which continues to thrive. Currently, he serves as the Coordinator of the National Council for the Health Sciences at UCP and as a Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine within the same university.
Professor Castro Caldas has been a pioneering figure in cognitive neuroscience, with a particular focus on the modulatory effects of environmental stimulation on the human brain. He established and led the Language Research Laboratory until 1998 and organized the Centre for Neurosciences of Lisbon in 1990, fostering interdisciplinary research in neuroscience.
His research interests are diverse, encompassing cognitive neuroscience topics and movement disorders. He has contributed to understanding the neural mechanisms underlying language processing and neuroplasticity, particularly in the context of literacy and brain function.
A prolific author, Professor Castro Caldas has published over 200 articles and book chapters in both national and international publications. His work has appeared in esteemed journals such as Brain, Neurology, NeuroImage, and the Journal of Cognitive Neurosciences. Additionally, he has authored several textbooks on neuroscience in Portuguese, including A Herança de Franz Joseph Gall and Viagem ao Cérebro e a algumas das suas Competências. He also serves on the editorial boards of multiple national and international journals, contributing his expertise to the advancement of neurological sciences.
Professor Castro Caldas has held several prominent positions within professional societies. Notably, he served as President of the International Neuropsychological Society from 2000 to 2001. He has also been actively involved with the Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurologia, serving as its President from 1989 to 1992, and has contributed to various other professional organizations, including the American Academy of Neurology and the Movement Disorders Society.
Throughout his career, Professor Castro Caldas has received numerous accolades recognizing his contributions to medicine and neuroscience. Among these, he has been awarded the Pfizer Award from the Sociedade de Ciências Médicas three times, the Grand Prize of Medicine from the Bial Foundation, and the Distinguished Career Award from the International Neuropsychological Society.
Professor Alexandre Castro Caldas's dedication to the fields of neurology and cognitive neuroscience has left an indelible mark on medical education, research, and clinical practice. His leadership in establishing and directing research centers, his extensive publication record, and his commitment to teaching have significantly advanced the understanding of brain function and neurological disorders. His ongoing work continues to inspire and influence both peers and future generations in the scientific community.
Alexandre Castro Caldas
Full Professor, PhD.
Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing of the Catholic University of Portugal
Medicine, Neurology and Neurosciences
Bio
Professor Alexandre Castro Caldas is a distinguished neurologist and academic renowned for his extensive contributions to cognitive neuroscience and neurology. His career, spanning several decades, encompasses significant roles in medical education, research, and leadership within the healthcare and academic sectors.
Professor Castro Caldas completed his medical degree (MD) in 1973 and earned his doctorate (PhD) in Psychiatry in 1980 from the University of Lisbon School of Medicine. He commenced his academic career at the same institution in 1974, progressively advancing through various academic ranks. In 1985, he achieved the title of 'Agregado,' a qualification for full professorship in the Portuguese academic system.
From 1990 to 2004, Professor Castro Caldas served as a Full Professor of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon and as Director of the Neurology Service at Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon. In these capacities, he was instrumental in advancing neurological education and patient care.
In 2004, he was appointed Director of the Institute of Health Sciences at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), a position he held until 2020. During his tenure, he laid the groundwork for the creation of the Integrated Master in Medicine program, which continues to thrive. Currently, he serves as the Coordinator of the National Council for the Health Sciences at UCP and as a Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine within the same university.
Professor Castro Caldas has been a pioneering figure in cognitive neuroscience, with a particular focus on the modulatory effects of environmental stimulation on the human brain. He established and led the Language Research Laboratory until 1998 and organized the Centre for Neurosciences of Lisbon in 1990, fostering interdisciplinary research in neuroscience.
His research interests are diverse, encompassing cognitive neuroscience topics and movement disorders. He has contributed to understanding the neural mechanisms underlying language processing and neuroplasticity, particularly in the context of literacy and brain function.
A prolific author, Professor Castro Caldas has published over 200 articles and book chapters in both national and international publications. His work has appeared in esteemed journals such as Brain, Neurology, NeuroImage, and the Journal of Cognitive Neurosciences. Additionally, he has authored several textbooks on neuroscience in Portuguese, including A Herança de Franz Joseph Gall and Viagem ao Cérebro e a algumas das suas Competências. He also serves on the editorial boards of multiple national and international journals, contributing his expertise to the advancement of neurological sciences.
Professor Castro Caldas has held several prominent positions within professional societies. Notably, he served as President of the International Neuropsychological Society from 2000 to 2001. He has also been actively involved with the Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurologia, serving as its President from 1989 to 1992, and has contributed to various other professional organizations, including the American Academy of Neurology and the Movement Disorders Society.
Throughout his career, Professor Castro Caldas has received numerous accolades recognizing his contributions to medicine and neuroscience. Among these, he has been awarded the Pfizer Award from the Sociedade de Ciências Médicas three times, the Grand Prize of Medicine from the Bial Foundation, and the Distinguished Career Award from the International Neuropsychological Society.
Professor Alexandre Castro Caldas's dedication to the fields of neurology and cognitive neuroscience has left an indelible mark on medical education, research, and clinical practice. His leadership in establishing and directing research centers, his extensive publication record, and his commitment to teaching have significantly advanced the understanding of brain function and neurological disorders. His ongoing work continues to inspire and influence both peers and future generations in the scientific community.