Ana Mineiro

Ana Mineiro is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), where she also serves as Director. She is a principal investigator at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS) and leads the Translational Neuroscience Platform. Her academic work spans cognitive sciences, linguistics, and sign language research.

• PhD in Linguistics, University of Lisbon
• Master’s and Bachelor’s in Modern Languages and Literatures, University of Lisbon
• Post-doctorate in Neurolinguistics and Applied Linguistics to Sign Languages, UCP
• Habilitation in Language and Cognition Sciences, UCP

Her research focuses on language evolution, sign language linguistics, deaf education, and cognitive development in hearing-impaired individuals. She has pioneered work in the emergence of new sign languages, particularly in São Tomé and Príncipe, and developed technological tools like the Portuguese Sign Language Reference Corpus and an AVATAR-based translation system. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates neuroscience, linguistics, and education.

Her recent publications show a strong trend in understanding the cognitive and linguistic foundations of sign languages, the resilience of deaf children, and the evolution of language structure. She frequently publishes in high-impact journals such as PLoS ONE, Frontiers in Psychology, and the Journal of Language Evolution, often exploring the boundaries between gesture, pantomime, and formal sign systems.

• Awards and distinctions for scientific contributions
• Recognition for creating the Portuguese Sign Language Reference Corpus
• Honors for developing the first automatic AVATAR translation (Portuguese to LGP)
• Contributions to six UN Sustainable Development Goals

Ana Mineiro has supervised over a dozen students and research projects, including doctoral theses and postgraduate work. She has led major funded research initiatives totaling 4.4 million euros through competitive grants. She actively participates in academic governance, serving as jury president for faculty recruitment and supervising research in palliative care, communication disorders, and cognitive development.

She leads the Translational Neuroscience Platform at CIIS and is involved in multiple interdisciplinary research centers, including CIIS and CEFH. Her work bridges clinical, educational, and technological domains, fostering collaboration across health, humanities, and engineering disciplines.