Catarina Rodrigues

Dr. Catarina Rodrigues is a Legal Advisor and Researcher at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), affiliated with the Faculty of Medical Sciences. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Ethics (2012) from the University of Groningen and a Master's in Applied Ethics (2006) from Utrecht University. Her expertise spans medical ethics, research integrity, and legal aspects of research contracts. She currently serves on the Medical Ethics Committee and CTc (Central Ethical Review Committee) at UMCG, and advises the European Commission on ethics and research integrity.

Education:

• PhD in Biomedical Ethics, University of Groningen (2012)
• Master of Applied Ethics, Utrecht University (2006)
• Bachelor in Fundamental Moral Philosophy, University of Pavia (2004)
• Master of Law (Public Law), University of Coimbra (2003)

Research Interests: Dr. Rodrigues focuses on ethical challenges in maternal-fetal surgery, clinical equipoise in randomized trials, and the moral status of the fetus. Her work also addresses research ethics, privacy in research, and bioethical dilemmas in emerging medical technologies like fetal therapy and tissue engineering. She advocates for rigorous ethical frameworks to balance beneficence, autonomy, and scientific integrity.

Awards & Grants: No specific awards mentioned, but her contributions to ethical reviews and research integrity initiatives are notable.

Advising & Teams: As a Legal Advisor, she oversees research contracts and advises on legal questions in biomedical research. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams in ethics, law, and clinical medicine, contributing to policy development at UMCG and the European Commission.

Labs/Teams: Active in the UMCG's Medical Ethics Committee and the Loket Contract Research section. Engaged with international networks like the European Commission's ethics advisory group.