Luis Ricardo Silva Graca

Luis Ricardo Silva Graca is a Professor of Immunology and Vice-Dean at the University of Lisbon Faculty of Medicine, directing the Cellular Immunology Group at the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM). With an MD from Lisbon (1995) and a DPhil in Transplant Immunology from Oxford (2002), his career spans institutions including Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (Perth) and St. Catherine's College (Oxford).

• Current affiliations: University of Lisbon Faculty of Medicine (since 2019), GIMM (since 2024)
• Prior roles: Assistant Professor (2004-2019), Lecturer at Oxford (2002-2004)

His research focus centers on immune regulation mechanisms, particularly T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells and Foxp3+ iNKT cells that govern humoral responses and autoimmunity. He has pioneered therapeutic monoclonal antibody applications for immune tolerance and explored immune senescence in SARS-CoV-2 and influenza contexts.

Recent publications highlight his work on germinal center regulation, vaccine response in aging populations, and immune dysregulation in diseases like ME/CFS and rheumatoid arthritis. His scientific leadership includes:

• Editor-in-Chief of Immunology Letters (2021-Present)
• President of the Portuguese Medical Sciences Society (2020-Present)
• President of the Portuguese Society of Immunology (2015-2018)

He has supervised 43 trainees (16 PhD, 5 MD/PhD, 12 Postdocs, 10 Master’s), with alumni now holding leadership roles in academia, industry, and healthcare institutions globally. As Co-Chair of Portugal’s National Advisory Group for COVID-19 Vaccination, he designed evidence-based vaccination strategies recognized for high population acceptance.

Notable grants include:

• FCT (Portugal) funding for T follicular helper cell studies
• Marie Curie Actions for Enlight-ten+ network
• MSD and CaixaBank collaborations on vaccine development

His art-science initiatives with Marta de Menezes have produced internationally exhibited bioartworks, bridging biomedical research and contemporary art.