Silvana Santos | |
|---|---|
 Santos in 2010 | |
| Born | Silvana Cristina dos Santos December 14, 1959 Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Education | BA, MSc and Ph.D. at USP |
| Alma mater | University of Sao Paulo |
| Occupation | Professor |
| Known for | Santos Syndrome, SPOAN Syndrome, MRT-59 |
| Awards | 100 Women (BBC) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Medical Genetics, Community Genetics, Education |
| Institutions | State University of Paraiba |
Silvana Santos (born December 14, 1959, Sao Paulo, Brazil), is a Brazilian geneticist and biologist known for her research into rare developmental disorders related to inbreeding. She led the research group that discovered SPOAN syndrome in Serrinha dos Pintos, a municipality with a highly inbred population in the state of Rio Grande do Norte in the Northeast region of Brazil. [1] [2]
She has also discovered another novel developmental syndrome involving the development of the limbs, first observed in the municipality of Riacho de Santana, also in Rio Grande do Norte. [3] [4] The syndrome received her surname Santos and it is caused by a mutation in WNT7A gene. [5]
She has worked as a professor at the State University of Paraíba since 2008. [6]
In 2024, she was recognised by the BBC in their annual list of 100 inspiring and influential women. [7]
