Maria Schuller Almeida, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, as well as the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She received her degree from the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, Portugal. Prior to joining UAMS, she conducted research in the mineralization of oysters, in her native Portugal and the National History Museum in Paris, France.

Research Focus:
My research has been dedicated to the elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the loss of bone with aging and estrogen deficiency, the two major causes of osteoporosis.

The work in my laboratory focuses on understanding how mechanisms of aging, that are common to many tissues, such as oxidative stress and a decrease in NAD contribute to the decrease in bone formation. In addition, we study how estrogen inhibits the cells that resorb bone called osteoclasts.

My work has been continuously funded by the NIH since 2010 and has revealed critical mechanisms of action of the anti-aging FoxO transcription factors on the skeleton. I also have performed studies aimed at elucidating the role of cellular senescence in age-related bone loss. I have authored 76 peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters, and I have extensive expertise in reviewing R03, R01, R21, and fellowship applications by serving on multiple NIH study section panels since 2011.

Ongoing Projects:

R01 AG068449 -Different consequences of cellular aging in cortical versus cancellous bone
Role: Mutual Principal Investigator (Charles O’Brien, Ph.D.)
Description: Different consequences of cellular aging in cortical versus cancellous bone
Apr 1, 2021 – Dec 31, 2025

R01 AR056679
Role: Mutual Principal Investigator (Ha-Neui Kim, Ph.D.)
Description: Antagonism of RANKL signaling by estrogen in osteoclasts
01/01/2024-12/31/2028

P20 GM125503 – Center for Musculoskeletal Disease Research (CMDR)
Role: Associate Director; Co-Leader Core 1 (PI: Charles O’Brien, Ph.D.)
Apr 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2028

R01 AR082418 – Antagonism of RANKL signaling by estrogen in osteoclasts
Role: Principal Investigator
Description: Examining the role of osteoclast mitochondria as a target of the bone protective effect of estrogens.
Mar 22, 2024 – Feb 28, 2025