Rhaissa Calixto Vieira

My work focuses on understanding how platelets act as immune regulators beyond hemostasis by interacting with leukocytes and modulating inflammation and immune responses. I work on developing therapeutic strategies for Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS)– related thrombocytopenia and inflammatory diseases.

Key highlights of my research:
• FACS High-throughput drug discovery: Engineered CRISPR-edited cell lines carrying patient-relevant WAS mutations and established a flow-cytometry–based screening platform (>7, 000 compounds) to identify small molecules that stabilize WASp.
• Translational platelet biology: Investigating how WASp deficiency alters platelet function and immune interactions in mouse models and patient samples.
• Advanced imaging & analysis: Extensive experience in confocal microscopy, for quantitative imaging of megakaryocyte maturation and platelet activation.

I’m excited about collaborations at the interface of immunology, hematology, and translational therapeutics, and I enjoy mentoring students and sharing science with the broader community.

Project supervision
During my period working as a postdoctoral Researcher at Westerberg's Lab I was involved in the scientific training of students from Sweden and
abroad, as follows:

Sofie Hemström, medical undergrad from Karolinska Institutet
Period: June 7 to July 2, 2021
Project enrolled: Lipid Rafts and F-actin interplay in Megakaryocyte activation and platelet formation.

Marta Dominguez Gargallo, Biotechnology undergraduate from Barcelona University
Period: February to June 2022
Project enrolled: Flow cytometry-based drug repurposing screening for WASp stabilization in X-linked thrombocytopenia megakaryocytes.

Yeon Jae Lee, Biology student from New York /Abu Dhabi University
Period: July 1st to August 10, 2022
Project enrolled: Molecular Biology tools for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome study.

Giulio Zanette, Master student from Trieste University
Period: February to October 2023
Project enrolled: Restoring platelets in WAS and XLT – mice model study.

Elisabet Jené Vinuesa, Biology undergrad from Barcelona University
Period: February to July 2023
Project enrolled: Compound validation for WASp stabilization in X-linked thrombocytopenia megakaryocytes.

Isabella Rosales Enriquez, Biology undergrad from Strasbourg University

Period: January to June 2025

Project enrolled: Targeting platelet activation in Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome