Patricia Valerio, PhD, science writer —

Patricia holds a PhD in Neurobiology from the University of Basel, Switzerland, where she studied how hearing develops and functions. She is originally from Portugal and earned an MSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology, focusing on metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, and a BSc in Biomedical Pharmacy from the University of Coimbra. Patricia enjoys communicating science to inspire, educate and help different audiences understand its complexity and relevance.

Articles by Patricia Valerio

Hair Follicles a Potential Biomarker for Fragile X

A pilot study in the U.S. shows that repeated sampling of hair follicles in people with fragile X syndrome, collected both at home and clinics, can be used to measure the levels of FMRP protein — whose production is impaired in fragile X patients. In addition, measuring FMRP levels using…

Tripledemic Delaying Completion of Zygel Phase 3 Clinical Trial

A tripledemic — high rates of respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and COVID-19 — is slowing enrollment in the Phase 3 clinical trial testing Zygel, Zynerba Pharmaceuticals’ experimental cannabidiol gel, in children and adolescents with fragile X syndrome. These environmental factors are causing unexpectedly higher cancellations of the initial…