Joao Jose Fernandes Cardoso Araujo Cerqueira is a neuroscientist, professor of neurology at the University of Minho and clinical neurologist at Hospital de Braga, where he coordinates the Multiple Sclerosis clinic. He is also medical director of the Clinical Academic Centre of Braga (2CA-Braga), one of the leading centres for clinical research in Portugal. He was vice-dean for education between 2017 and 2024 and, in this capacity, coordinated the design and implementation of a new medical curriculum, the MinhoMD. He has a strong interest in medical education, but his main research activity focuses on understanding the mechanisms and seeking new treatments for multiple sclerosis.