Maria Antonia Forteza Genestra

Maria Antonia Forteza Genestra is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Fundamental Biology and Health Sciences at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), teaching across Nursing, Pharmacy, and Biochemistry programs while supervising undergraduate theses. She is a member of the TERCIT research group (Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering), affiliated with both UIB and the Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IdISBa).

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Translational Research in Public Health and Prevalent Diseases (UIB) with international distinction and cum laude
• Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry
• Master's Degree in Advanced Microbiology
• Master's in Teacher Training for Secondary Education
• Master's in Graphic Design

Her research centers on regenerative medicine applications, particularly extracellular vesicles as cell-free therapies for cartilage repair in osteoarthritis, with practical contributions to Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) quality control under GMP conditions at the Balearic Islands Tissue Bank. She has completed research at Reykjavik University and actively presents at international conferences.

Her recognitions include:

• IdISBa Best PhD Thesis Award
• UIB 2nd Agenda 2030 Prize

Dr. Forteza Genestra teaches Biochemistry and Nutrition for Nursing degrees across all Balearic Islands, Biochemistry I for Pharmacy, and laboratory courses for Biochemistry, while leading master's seminars in Biomedical Research. She also operates the independent graphic design studio Illustrate Science dedicated to scientific visualization and communication.