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4 June 2020

I’m Ana Lígia Silva de Lima but everybody knows me as Ana Lima. I was born in Brazil in 1989. I’m a postdoctoral researcher at the Radboudumc Expertise Center for Parkinson's and Movement Disorders. Since my PhD, I investigate the application of technology for monitoring Parkinson’s disease symptoms at home environment.

Where do you live and with whom?

I live in Nijmegen with my two lovely cats Tommie and Simba.

When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? Can you tell us something about your child years?

I used to spend a lot of time in the woods at my grandparents farm. At that time I wanted to be a forestry engineer. I loved the job tasks – most of the time in contact with nature. Years have passed and I still love to be in contact with nature and animals. However, my efforts are now focus on research to impact the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. That way, they can enjoy the beauty of nature too.

What was your previous academic training, where did you study and why did you choose that study/those studies?

I’m a physiotherapist. I finished my bachelor training at the University of State of Paraíba – Brazil shortly before I moved to the Netherlands. The idea of improving the health of people with Parkinson’s disease by using non-pharmacologic treatments always fascinated me. Physiotherapy sounded like the education to follow.

Of which of your research discoveries, you are most proud of?

I’m most proud of the large REAL-PD trial results. Back in 2014, wearable sensors for Parkinson’s disease started to be a hype. However no one knew whether or not the usage of the sensors on itself would be possible or helpful for research purposes. Together with colleagues and 304 people living with Parkinson’s disease, we have proven the feasibility and usability of large-scale wearable sensors deployment. Together, we set an important mark on the field of Parkinson’s disease.

What is your most important scientific challenge in the coming 5 years?

Under the supervision of Dr. Nienke de Vries-Farrouh, I have now moved my research efforts towards the use of technology for determining physical activity levels and falls patterns among people with Parkinson’s disease living at home. It is a very interesting and relevant researcher question. However, subtracting the many factors that can bias those patterns will definitely be a challenge.

If you could choose any mentor, who would this be?

I believe I have been very luck regarding mentorships. During my PhD, Dr. Marjan J Meinders has taught me how to be a researcher while being a compassionate human. In addition, Prof. Dr. MD Bastiaan R. Bloem taught me how to be a creative and innovative researcher. I believe this is a very unique combination of skills in a researcher. I am very happy to still have them as mentors.
On a more personal/self-development side, I would love to be mentored by Emma Watson. She is a strong woman who has not been limited by the title of actress. Her campaign #HeForShe is a wonderful example of how she is using her influence to make an impact on the world.

What is your favorite topic: molecules - patients - population?

My favorite topic is definitely patients. 

What should be changed / improved in the scientific community?

Fairness is definitely a topic in which the research community could work on. For less favored institutions is very hard to have publications on high impact journal, decreasing their chances of being awarded grants to perform high impact research. Then, those institutions are unlikely to ever be among the most expressive research centers. The cycle repeats itself, making it hard for changes to occur.
Further, rethinking how we assess the impact and quality of research is an important point. It has been far too long that we measure quality and impact by looking only at impact factor of journals. I would love to see the scientific community moving towards a system in which different metrics, such as mentoring and outreaching work in the community, for instance, would have a significant impact on the evaluation of high quality research and researchers .

Is there anything we can wake you up for in the middle of the night?

If you manage to bring my family and friends from Brazil to visit me in the Netherlands, please, wake me up!

What is the thing that irritates you most?

After 5 years of working in the Netherlands I get slightly irritated by people being late. I guess I’m very integrated in the Dutch society right now. 😊

Who would you like to have dinner with, if you had the chance?

My mom. She passed away 17 years ago. It would be lovely to catch up with her again.

How do you relax from the demanding job being a scientist?

I love spending time with my cats, catching up with my friends and family, as well as reading books on themes such as self-development, the holocaust during the 2WW and romances.  

Do you have a tip for our most junior scientists?

I find myself to still be a junior scientists. But for those who are earlier in their career path, I would say: science is a sister of resilience. Persevere on your research ideas and let the obstacles fill your next ideas.

Please add a photo which represents a remarkable event or experience you were part of? Please explain.

My PhD defense. Besides of being an important ritual in any researchers career, it was also a remarkable moment in my personal life. I manage to convince my father to fly for the first time in his life at age 67. He enjoyed very much the flying experience from Brazil to the Netherlands, as well as the time here with me.