Beatriz Nunes Costa, a Biomedical Engineering undergraduate student at ISEL, completed her final project at the Champalimaud Foundation, part of the Vision to Action Lab. The work, titled "Change in heading of preceding movement predicts left–right escape choice in larval zebrafish," was developed under the supervision of researchers Michael Brian Orger and João Carlos Marques (Champalimaud Foundation), and professors Miguel Minhalma and  Manuel Matos (DEQ/ISEL).

This project focused on studying the orientation behavior of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae, with the goal of understanding how the environment influences their movements. This species is widely used in biomedical research due to its genetic and functional similarity to humans—approximately 70% homology at the nervous system level—making it a relevant model for behavioral studies and drug testing with potential applications in human medicine.

The work developed by Beatriz Nunes Costa is part of a high-quality research context, reflected in the international recognition of the Vision to Action Lab. Its coordinator, researcher  Michael Brian Orge, was recently honored with one of four grants awarded by the European Research Council (ERC) to scientists working in Portugal.

The ISEL Biomedical Engineering degree stands out as a leading program, with a strong practical component and connections to the business and scientific world. Over 95% of the Final Projects are carried out at external institutions, fostering students' integration into real-world work environments in healthcare, research, services, and industry. This model aims to provide a solid and applied education, enhancing our graduates' success in the job market.