Clara Joy, a second-year Medicine student at the University of Malta, completed a research stay at the University of Cádiz during July 2025 through the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) Research Exchange Programme, contributing to ongoing PHOTOTHERAPORT studies on the analgesic effects of photobiomodulation in inflammatory pain.
The University of Cádiz (UCA) recently welcomed Clara Joy, a second-year Medicine student from the University of Malta, who joined the PHOTOTHERAPORT research team during July 2025 through the Standing Committee on Research Exchange (SCORE) program of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA).
The research stay was carried out within the framework of the IFMSA Research Exchange Program, an international initiative that provides medical students with opportunities to gain research experience while fostering intercultural exchange and scientific collaboration. Through a global network of students and research institutions, the program aims to train future physicians as skilled researchers and culturally sensitive professionals committed to advancing science and healthcare.
During her stay at UCA, Clara worked under the supervision of Sonia Torres at the Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology research group led by Esther Berrocoso, and became actively involved in ongoing PHOTOTHERAPORT experiments focused on evaluating the analgesic efficacy of photobiomodulation delivered through phototheraports in inflammatory pain models.
Her work included participation in behavioral studies and immunohistochemistry experiments, contributing to the assessment of treatment outcomes and the understanding of the biological mechanisms associated with pain modulation. These activities provided her with hands-on experience in translational biomedical research while supporting the objectives of the PHOTOTHERAPORT project.
The stay offered an excellent opportunity for scientific learning and international collaboration, reinforcing the commitment of the University of Cádiz and the PHOTOTHERAPORT consortium to fostering research training opportunities for young scientists and healthcare professionals.
The PHOTOTHERAPORT team would like to thank Clara for her enthusiasm, dedication and contribution throughout her stay and wishes her every success in her future medical and research career.
