Ana Paula Mora Tavares

Ana Paula Mora Tavares is an Assistant Researcher at CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Portugal. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Aveiro (2006), preceded by a MSc from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2000) and a BSc from Estadual University of Rio de Janeiro (1997). Her academic career includes postdoctoral research at LSRE/FEUP (2006–2009) and a Ciência 2008-funded independent position (2009–present). She teaches laboratory classes in Microbial Biotechnology at the University of Aveiro and has been involved in COHITEC’s technology commercialization training.

Research Interests: Her work focuses on biomolecules purification (e.g., enzymes, antibodies), ionic liquids, aqueous biphasic systems, nanomaterials, and biocatalysis for organic synthesis. She pioneers applications in enzyme immobilization, anticancer drug development (e.g., L-asparaginase), and eco-friendly bioremediation strategies. Current projects include the InsectERA initiative for circular economy innovation.

• Awards: 2007 Honourable Mention from Companhia União Fabril for PhD thesis
• Supervision: 3 PhD students (Ana Filipa Soares Pereira, Ana Isabel Bastos Valente, Ana Sofia Correia Marques)
• Key Projects: InsectERA (circular economy), COHITEC (technology valorization)

Labs/Teams: PATh G5 - Biomimetic Materials Group and L3 Sustainability Unit at CICECO. Her research leverages interdisciplinary approaches, combining chemical engineering with nanotechnology for biomedical and environmental applications.