Dr. Karina Pereira Gomes

Research Associate, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Oncology Dept

Pronouns: She/Her

Contact Overview Publications

Contact

Research Associate, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Oncology Dept

Email: kpereira@ualberta.ca

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

Lymphatic Biology Lymphedema Lipid Metabolism Vascular Biology Translational Research

About

I am a research fellow currently focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying lymphatic dysfunction and cancer-related lymphedema, with a particular interest in how lipid metabolism and metabolic stress influence lymphatic vessel repair. My research combines mechanistic studies in cell and animal models with patient-derived samples to identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers that can improve outcomes for cancer survivors.

Over the course of my career, I have contributed to research spanning neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, and lymphatic vascular biology, giving me a broad interdisciplinary perspective that I apply to complex biomedical questions. With more than 10 years of hands-on research experience, I have led projects from conception through publication, including experimental design, project management, molecular and cellular techniques, advanced imaging, data analysis, and scientific communication.

In addition to conducting research, I have extensive experience writing and contributing to competitive grant applications, preparing high-impact scientific manuscripts, and communicating research to both scientific and lay audiences. I enjoy mentoring students and trainees, supervising research projects, and fostering collaborative environments where team members can develop technical skills and scientific independence. I am passionate about developing innovative, collaborative, and clinically relevant research that bridges fundamental biology with translational applications.

Featured Publications

Radiation induces senescence in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and murine tail lymphedema tissue, contributing to lymphedema progression

Samaneh Safarpour, Karina P. Gomes, Jacob Korodimas, Milica Vignjevic, Madhumita S. Manivannan, Nirav Patel, Xiaoyan Yang, Spencer B. Gibson

Cell Death & Disease. 2026 June; 10.1038/s41419-026-08955-z

Saturated fatty acids induce lipotoxicity in lymphatic endothelial cells contributing to secondary lymphedema development

Karina P Gomes, Jacob Korodimas, Emily Liu, Nirav Patel, Xiaoyan Yang, Susan Goruk, Jaqueline Munhoz, Catherine J Field, Spencer B Gibson

EMBO Molecular Medicine. 2025 August; 10.1038/s44321-025-00286-4

The microenvironment of secondary lymphedema. The key to finding effective treatments?

Hossain L, Gomes KP, Safarpour S, Gibson SB

Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease. 2025 January; 10.1016/j.bbadis.2025.167677

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (VEGF-C) Sensitizes Lymphatic Endothelial Cells to Oxidative-Stress-Induced Apoptosis through DNA Damage and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Implications for Lymphedema

Lazina Hossain, Karina Pereira Gomes, Xiaoyan Yang, Emily Liu, Jacques Du Toit, Pierre-Yves von der Weid, Spencer Bruce Gibson

International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024 July; 10.3390/ijms25147828

Attenuation of Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switching by Angiotensin 1-7 Protects against Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

Jadli AS, Ballasy NN, Gomes KP, Mackay CDA, Meechem M, Wijesuriya TM, Belke D, Thompson J, Fedak PWM, Patel VB

International journal of molecular sciences. 2022 December; 10.3390/ijms232415566

Alterations in aortic vasorelaxation in rats with epilepsy induced by the electrical amygdala kindling model.

Ghazale PP, Dos Santos Borges K, Gomes KP, Quintino C, Braga PPP, Castro CH, Mendes EP, Scorza FA, Colugnati DB, Pansani AP

Epilepsy research. 2022 April; 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.106920

BR-bombesin: a novel bombesin-related peptide from the skin secretion of the Chaco tree frog (Boana raniceps) with physiological gastric effects.

de Sousa NA, Marani MM, Lopes ALF, Silva EM, Barbosa EA, Vasconcelos AG, Kuzniewski FTB, Lustosa SS, Gomes KP, Colugnati DB, Rocha JA, Santos LH, Benquerer MP, Quelemes P, Véras L, Moreira DC, Gadelha KKL, Magalhães PJC, Plácido A, Eaton P, Nicolau L, Medeiros JVR, Leite JRSA

Amino acids. 2022 March; 10.1007/s00726-021-03114-4

Proteomic Analysis Suggests Altered Mitochondrial Metabolic Profile Associated With Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.

Gomes KP, Jadli AS, de Almeida LGN, Ballasy NN, Edalat P, Shandilya R, Young D, Belke D, Shearer J, Dufour A, Patel VB

Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine. 2022 March; 10.3389/fcvm.2022.791700

Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases: Pathological Potential of Nano-Messenger.

Jadli AS, Parasor A, Gomes KP, Shandilya R, Patel VB

Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine. 2021 November; 10.3389/fcvm.2021.767488

Potential role of epicardial adipose tissue in coronary artery endothelial cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.

Ballasy NN, Jadli AS, Edalat P, Kang S, Fatehi Hassanabad A, Gomes KP, Fedak PWM, Patel VB

FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 2021 October; 10.1096/fj.202100684rr

Chronic apnea during REM sleep increases arterial pressure and sympathetic modulation in rats.

Pansani AP, Schoorlemmer GH, Ferreira CB, Rossi MV, Angheben JMM, Ghazale PP, Gomes KP, Cravo SL

Sleep. 2021 May; 10.1093/sleep/zsaa249

The number and periodicity of seizures induce cardiac remodeling and changes in micro-RNA expression in rats submitted to electric amygdala kindling model of epilepsy.

Pansani AP, Ghazale PP, Dos Santos EG, Dos Santos Borges K, Gomes KP, Lacerda IS, Castro CH, Mendes EP, Dos Santos FCA, Biancardi MF, Nejm MB, Dogini DB, Rabelo LA, Nunes-Souza V, Scorza FA, Colugnati DB

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B. 2021 February; 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107784

Antiepileptic effects of long-term intracerebroventricular infusion of angiotensin-(1-7) in an animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy

Karina Pereira Gomes, Pedro Paulo Pereira Braga, Claudio Quintino de Lima, Jr, Poliana Peres Ghazale, Gustavo Rodrigues Pedrino, Elizabeth Pereira Mendes, Aline Priscila Pansani, Carlos Henrique Xavier, Carlos Henrique Castro, Diego Basile Colugnati

Clinical Science. 2020 September; 10.1042/CS20200514

Coronary vasodilation impairment in pilocarpine model of epilepsy.

Vitorino PR, Gomes KP, Ghazale PP, da Silva M, Mendes EP, Dos Santos FCA, Pansani AP, de Castro CH, Scorza FA, Colugnati DB

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B. 2018 November; 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.10.037

Ghrelin potentiates cardiac reactivity to stress by modulating sympathetic control and beta-adrenergic response.

Camargo-Silva G, Turones LC, da Cruz KR, Gomes KP, Mendonça MM, Nunes A, de Jesus IG, Colugnati DB, Pansani AP, Pobbe RLH, Santos R, Fontes MAP, Guatimosim S, de Castro CH, Ianzer D, Ferreira RN, Xavier CH

Life sciences. 2018 February; 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.01.019

The hemoglobin derived peptide LVV-hemorphin-7 evokes behavioral effects mediated by oxytocin receptors.

da Cruz KR, Turones LC, Camargo-Silva G, Gomes KP, Mendonça MM, Galdino P, Rodrigues-Silva C, Santos RAS, Costa EA, Ghedini PC, Ianzer D, Xavier CH

Neuropeptides. 2017 September; 10.1016/j.npep.2017.09.002

Blockade of Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla (RVLM) Bombesin Receptor Type 1 Decreases Blood Pressure and Sympathetic Activity in Anesthetized Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Pinto IS, Mourão AA, da Silva EF, Camargo AS, Marques SM, Gomes KP, Fajemiroye JO, da Silva Reis AA, Rebelo AC, Ferreira-Neto ML, Rosa DA, Freiria-Oliveira AH, Castro CH, Colombari E, Colugnati DB, Pedrino GR

Frontiers in physiology. 2016 June; 10.3389/fphys.2016.00205

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