ALEXANDRE LUIS DE MATOS BOTICA CORTES QUINTAS

Dr. Alexandre Luis de Matos Botica Cortes Quintas is an Associate Professor at the Egas Moniz University Institute (Portugal), leading the BSc and MSc programs in Forensic Sciences. He heads the Forensic Science and Psychology Research Line at the Egas Moniz Multidisciplinary Research Center and directs the Forensic Science and Psychology Laboratory, which collaborates with Courts, Police, and Hospitals. His academic roles include coordinating research projects and supervising over 40 MSc students, 4 PhD students, and 30 trainees.

Education: PhD in Biological Chemistry (University of Coimbra, 2002), MSc in Cell Biology (University of Coimbra, 1995), and BSc in Biochemistry (University of Coimbra, 1992). He held a Sabbatical at Lincoln University (UK, 2009) funded by FCT.

Research Interests: Focuses on biophysical mechanisms of protein misfolding in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's), forensic toxicology, and the impact of cannabinoids on neural systems. His work bridges molecular pathology with practical applications in crime scene analysis and drug regulation. Key innovations include introducing forensic science to Portuguese academia and developing methodologies for new psychoactive substances (NPS) assessment.

Publications & Awards: Over 70 peer-reviewed articles, 10 book chapters, and an edited book. Notable awards include the Pfizer Prize in Clinical Research (2012) and FCT scholarships. His work has secured >€3 million in funding from national and EU grants.

Professional Activities: Serves on institutional councils, evaluates international research projects, and advises on forensic policy. His lab supports interdisciplinary projects in toxicology, human identification, and questioned documents analysis.

Future Work: Expanding research on synthetic cannabinoids' neurotoxicity using iPSC-derived neurons and advancing forensic methodologies for drug detection and age estimation.