Maria Manuela Pintado is Full Professor and Director of CBQF research center at Universidade Católica Portuguesa's Faculty of Biotechnology. She leads interdisciplinary research in sustainable food systems and functional ingredients. Research domains include: Valorization of agro-industrial byproducts Development of bioactive edible films Design of functional foods for chronic disease prevention Circular economy applications in food systems Recent publications (2023-2025) show strong focus on sustainable biomaterials and health-promoting ingredients, with notable increases in circular economy applications and precision nutrition studies. Key innovations include antiviral biopolymers from yeast and bioactive films for food preservation. Awards include recognition for circular economy innovations and upcycling research. Directs extensive EU-funded projects including THRIVE (€4M) and CIRCUL-A-BILITY, supervising large research teams and industrial partnerships.
Ana Maria Gomes is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Biotechnology of Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), affiliated with the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF). She holds a PhD in Biotechnology (1999) and specializes in probiotics, functional foods, and bioactive compounds. Her research focuses on enhancing food systems through innovative processing techniques and valorizing byproducts for health benefits. Education: PhD in Biotechnology (1999) Affiliations: CBQF, UCP Faculty of Biotechnology Key Projects: PeptiBiotics (2023-2024), AWARE (2022-2026), VIIAFOOD (2021-2025) Research Interests: Probiotics, functional food development, antioxidant mechanisms, and food biotechnology. She explores applications in antimicrobial peptides, alternative proteins, and sustainable food systems through interdisciplinary collaborations. Recent work includes studies on diatom bioactivity, avocado oil metabolism effects, and high-pressure cheese processing. Awards include the NEWFOOD 2020 prize for food innovation and recognition for obesity-prevention yogurt research. Supervised 46 academic works at UCP Active in grants: FIND4S (2024-2027), STARGATE (2021-2023) Labs/Teams: Leads CBQF’s food biotechnology initiatives and collaborates with the VIIAFOOD innovation platform.
Armando J. D. Silvestre is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro. He holds academic degrees including a Licenciatura in Chemistry (1990), PhD in Chemistry (1994), and Agregação in Chemistry (2008) from the University of Aveiro. His research focuses on renewable materials, circular economy, and functional biomaterials. Research interests include: Development of biopolymer-based functional materials Valorization of biological residues for value-added chemicals Novel polymeric materials from renewable resources Sustainable nanocomposites and coatings Professor Silvestre has supervised 18 MSc and 11 PhD students to completion and currently mentors 3 PhD and 3 MSc candidates. Research projects include EU-funded initiatives like AFORE (Forest Biorefineries) and national projects on membrane technology and biomass valorization. Scientific contributions include over 180 SCI journal publications and patents on extraction methods. He serves on editorial boards for Industrial Crops and Products and actively participates in academic activities including Erasmus coordination and Bologna process implementation.
Maria Isabel da Silva Santos is a Researcher affiliated with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV) and the CECAV (Veterinary Medicine Research Center) at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal. Research Interests: Her work focuses on Food Science , Microbiology , and Food Safety , particularly Multidrug-resistant pathogens (*E. coli*, *Salmonella*) Antimicrobial peptides in milk and whey Zoonotic disease transmission from food-producing animals Functional foods and waste valorization (e.g., pear pomace, whey) Key Publications: Recent studies include 2024: Antioxidants article on pear pomace bioactives 2024: International Journal of Molecular Sciences on milk antiviral peptides 2023: Collaborative work on multidrug-resistant *Campylobacter* in poultry Network: Active in antimicrobial resistance and zoonoses research, with collaborations across Portugal and Europe. Supervised work includes studies on foodborne pathogens and bioprocessing techniques.
Filipa Sofia Dinis Reis is a prominent researcher at the Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB), specifically within the Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering at the School of Technology and Management. With over 114 publications in the last decade, she has established herself as a leading expert in food science, natural products chemistry, and sustainable food technologies. Her research spans multiple domains including functional foods, mushroom biochemistry, and food waste valorization. Dr. Dinis Reis completed her Master of Biotechnology at the Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, where she was recognized as the best student of her cohort (2008-2010). She later earned her PhD from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, receiving the Extraordinary Doctoral Prize for her outstanding work. Her educational background provided the foundation for her current research in food science and natural product chemistry. Her research interests focus on identifying and characterizing bioactive compounds in natural sources, particularly mushrooms and plant byproducts. She investigates the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative properties of these compounds, with special emphasis on food waste valorization through circular economy approaches. Her work on apple pomace, walnut biostimulants, and mushroom extracts has significant implications for sustainable food production and health-promoting ingredients. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward sustainable food systems, with increasing focus on circular economy applications, food waste valorization, and natural alternatives to synthetic additives. Her research bridges fundamental chemistry with practical food industry applications, particularly in the areas of natural preservatives and functional ingredients derived from agricultural byproducts. Iacobus Program - Stays (2023) Erasmus+ Programme (STT Staff Mobility) (2023) Ideas with potential for innovative pilot projects (2023) Iacobus Program - Scientific papers (2022) CEECIND - Concurso Estímulo ao Emprego Científico Individual (2022) Extraordinary Doctoral Prize from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (2018) PhD Grant from FCT (2015) As Principal Investigator of the CYPonins project (2022-2028), funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Dr. Dinis Reis leads research on cypress saponins as bio-based alternatives for high-mortality rate tumors. Her work attracts significant research funding and has practical applications in both the food and pharmaceutical industries, demonstrating the translational potential of her research. She actively collaborates with international researchers, as evidenced by numerous co-authored publications with scientists from various countries. Her laboratory focuses on advanced analytical techniques for characterizing bioactive compounds in natural sources, with particular expertise in chromatographic methods, antioxidant assays, and antimicrobial testing. The research group works at the intersection of food science, pharmacology, and sustainable technology, developing innovative solutions for food waste reduction and natural product utilization.
Ana Maria da Conceição Ferreira Takahashi is a Junior Researcher at the Aveiro Institute of Materials (CICECO), University of Aveiro, Portugal. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering (2018) and has conducted international research at institutions in Brazil, Japan, Germany, and Portugal. Her work focuses on sustainable processes using eco-friendly solvents for biomass valorization and plastic waste recycling, integrating green chemistry and biotechnology within circular economy frameworks. She leads the FCT-funded project GreenPATH, developing enzymatic depolymerization strategies for polymer recycling. With 43 peer-reviewed publications (h-index 20), she collaborates with industries like LEGO and Volvo in EU initiatives. She has supervised over 25 students and received the CICECO Young Researcher Award (2024). Education: BSc (2011), MSc (2013), and PhD (2018) in Chemical Engineering from University of Aveiro. Postdoctoral work included TUM University Foundation Fellowship (Germany) and JSPS Fellowship (Japan). Research interests emphasize bio-based solvents (ionic liquids, DESs), enzyme-assisted depolymerization, and computational tools like COSMO-RS for solvent selection. Projects include plastic additive removal, biomass extraction, and industrial collaboration for sustainable technologies.
João Miguel Rocha is an academic with diverse roles in Food Science and Engineering. He holds a PhD from the University of Lisbon (2011) and a B.Sc. in Biological Engineering from the University of Minho (1991-1996). His career includes positions such as Assistant Professor at the University of Minho (2017-2018), Lecturer at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (2023-2024), and Researcher roles at institutions like the University of Helsinki (2000) and Universidade Nova de Lisboa (2011). Currently, he serves as a Technology Valorization Technician at INESC TEC (2024-2025). His research focuses on food microbiology, fermentation processes, and sustainable food systems, with emphasis on sourdough biotechnology, functional foods, and valorization of industry by-products. He has led and contributed to projects such as SOURDOMICS (COST Action CA18101) and NUTRALLERPHEN , exploring dietary polyphenols and microbial metabolites. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing food safety, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. Key collaborations include studies on colostrum, probiotics, and plant extracts for health applications. Education PhD in Food Science and Engineering, University of Lisbon (2011) B.Sc. (5-year) in Biological Engineering, University of Minho (1991–1996) Research Interests Dr. Rocha’s work spans food microbiology , fermentation technology , and nutraceutical development . He investigates microbial communities in sourdough, biopreservation strategies, and the application of food by-products for functional ingredients. His studies on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) formation in legumes and phytochemicals in plants highlight his focus on health-promoting compounds. He also explores life cycle assessment (LCA) for sustainable food systems. Grants & Projects EU-funded SOURDOMICS (2019–2023): Network for sourdough biotechnology innovation NUTRALLERPHEN (2019–present): Dietary polyphenols as allergy prophylactics SAVAGE : Wild fruit nutritional characterization in Morocco Labs & Teams He leads the Food Polyphenol Lab , focusing on extraction and application of bioactive compounds from agri-food by-products. Collaborates with institutions like the University of Helsinki , INESC TEC , and the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) .
Débora Campos is a Researcher at the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) at Catholic University of Portugal (UCP). She holds a PhD in Biotechnology and Food Science and Engineering from UCP (awarded in 2019) and has conducted international research missions at Universidad de Rosario (Argentina), International Nanotechnology Lab (Portugal), UC Davis (USA), and MIT Food Systems Lab (USA). Her research focuses on food waste valorization with emphasis on: Functional ingredients development from agricultural by-products Bioactive compounds extraction and stabilization Sustainable food systems and circular economy approaches Nanotechnology applications in food delivery systems Dr. Campos has 24 h-index (Google Scholar), with 49 research and review papers, 10 book chapters, and over 40 conference abstracts. Her recent publications demonstrate strong focus on pineapple, mango, and fish by-products valorization, with particular expertise in bromelain extraction and applications. Her work shows consistent emphasis on sustainable extraction methods, bioactive compound preservation, and development of functional food ingredients from waste streams. Her scientific contributions have been recognized with multiple awards, including: R&D+i in sustainability category at Born from Knowledge (BfK) Idea Award Letter of Commendation for contribution on polyphenols and Health Five consecutive Annual CBQF incentives for outstanding professional performance (2020-2024) 1st place at 2024 Tech Validation Winners from EIT Food Accelerator Network Dr. Campos actively supervises students, serving as co-supervisor for 3 PhD FCT grant students (2020-24), a PhD mobility student from Algeria, and has supervised 2 BSc students from Turkey. She is also the founder of AgroGrIN Tech, a UCP spin-off focused on sustainable nutraceutical ingredients from food waste.
Ligia Rodrigues is a researcher affiliated with the Universidade do Minho, focusing on synthetic biology, microbial biotechnology, and bioprospecting of biosurfactants. Her work spans applications in pharmaceuticals, food science, and environmental sustainability. Universidade do Minho - College of Biological Engineering Partex Oil and Gas Holdings Corp (2019-2024) Research Interests : • Biosurfactant production and medical applications • Synthetic biology for prebiotic and bioactive compound synthesis • Metagenomic analysis of saline/oily environments Recent Publications highlight her expertise in engineering microbial systems (E. coli, S. cerevisiae) for flavonoid and chondroitin production, alongside innovations in nanocarrier design for cancer therapy and aptamer-based diagnostics. Key Grants include: Bi3S - Biodiversity and Bioprospecting of Biosurfactants in Saline Environments (2021-2024) Laboratório Associado em Biotecnologia, Bioengenharia e Sistemas microELetromecânicos (2021-2025) Her work intersects metabolic engineering , nanotechnology , and microbial adhesion studies , with collaborations spanning Portugal, Poland, Brazil, and Spain.
Carla Pires is a Researcher at the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) , focusing on marine biotechnology and sustainable food systems . Her work bridges fish processing by-products , bioactive compounds , and seaweed extracts , with affiliations to institutions like the University of Aveiro and collaborative networks across Portugal , France , and Spain . Research Themes Development of antioxidant-rich protein hydrolysates from fish discards Design of biodegradable edible films using marine proteins and essential oils Valorization of seaweed and macroalgae for bioactive applications Optimization of enzymatic and subcritical extraction methods Investigation into sodium reduction strategies in seafood products Publication Trends Her recent articles (2025–2021) emphasize marine-derived bioactives , seasonal variation in fish waste , and innovative food preservation . Key methodologies include ultrafiltration , subcritical water extraction , and gastrointestinal digestion modeling . Collaborations span institutions like University of Aveiro , GEPEA CNRS , and University of Nantes .
Ursula Andrea Gonzales Barron is a principal investigator affiliated with the Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB), where she focuses on microbial risk assessment, biopreservation, and predictive microbiology. Her research spans food safety, particularly in dairy and fermented meat products, and she holds the Investigadora RENACYT (Nivel I) award from the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología e Innovación Tecnológica (2019). Current research projects include "Biointervenções e Modelação de Risco" (FCT-funded, 2019-2023) and "Agro-ecossistemas Frágeis Produtivos" (FCT, 2023-2026). Key scientific contributions: Pathogens-in-Foods (PIF) open-access database, meta-regression models for microbial inactivation, and risk assessment frameworks for Listeria monocytogenes in dairy/meat products. 2024-2025 publications address microbial dynamics in cheeses, antimicrobial plant extracts, and fermented food safety standards in Mediterranean regions. Her work combines experimental microbiology with statistical and computational approaches to model microbial behavior, optimize preservation techniques, and inform food safety policies. She collaborates on European food safety initiatives and develops biopreservation strategies using lactic acid bacteria and plant-derived compounds. Scientific awards: Investigadora RENACYT (Grupo Carlos Monge Medrano - Nivel I, 2019) Grants: FCT funding for agro-pastoral sustainability (2023-2026) FCT funding for Mediterranean fermented food safety (2019-2023)
Rui Pedro Carvalho Lima de Sousa is a postdoctoral researcher at the Textile Science and Technology Center (2C2T) of the University of Minho. His career focuses on organic-inorganic hybrid materials for sensors and advanced textile applications, with expertise in sol-gel chemistry , electrospinning , and optical sensing . PhD in Applied Chemistry (University of Minho, 2023), thesis: "Sol-gel based optical sensors for monitoring of biocides and other analytes" MSc in Chemical Characterization and Analysis Techniques (2018), BSc in Biochemistry (2016) Research interests span: Development of smart textile materials for filtration and adsorption via electrospinning Biocide detection using quinoline and hydrazone derivatives Hybrid sol-gel matrices for corrosion protection and concrete durability monitoring Integration of machine learning in sensor design Recent publications highlight work in NIR fluorescent probes , ion chemosensors , and environmental monitoring applications. Key collaborations include projects with the Institute of Systems Engineering and Computers (INESC) and University of Trás-os-Montes . Scientific recognitions : Best Doctoral Thesis in Chemistry (PYCA Award) FlashChem Photography Contest (2024) Advising includes mentoring students like Oscar Martinez-Rico and Joana Rocha on electrospun membrane projects, with past contributions to organic-inorganic hybrid material research.
Frederico Castelo Ferreira is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. His primary affiliation is with the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (IST/IBB). He holds a dual focus on academic research and industrial collaboration, with expertise in bioengineering, bioprocess development, and biomaterials. Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (Imperial College London), postdoctoral training at Imperial College London and Universidade Nova de Lisboa, and MIT-Portugal Program involvement. Research: Specializes in sustainable biofuels, advanced separations in pharmaceuticals, and biomaterials for tissue engineering. Key projects include membrane-based systems for biofuel production, stem cell microenvironment engineering, and electroconductive scaffolds for neural and bone regeneration. Awards: 1st Prize for Knowledge Valorization (2008), Technology Venture Fellowship (2006). Activities: Founded the Portuguese Young Chemists Group, organized the 1st Portuguese Young Chemists Meeting (2007), and contributed to initiatives like CoHiTec 2008-2013. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, with a focus on biomaterials, bioprocesses, and tissue engineering. Teaching: Teaches courses in Bioentrepreneurship, Bioengineering Topics, and Advanced Biomaterials at the graduate level.
Daniela Machado is a researcher at the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) within the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia (ESB-UCP) at Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Holding a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering from Universidade do Minho (2017) funded by an FCT grant, she specializes in probiotics, intestinal microbiota, and encapsulation technologies. Her work bridges microbiology with food science, focusing on delivery systems for probiotics in food matrices, biological validation, and antimicrobial activity research. Education : PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering (Universidade do Minho, 2017) Research Trends : Recent publications highlight innovations in probiotic encapsulation, functional food development, and bacterial vaginosis treatment. Her work with Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium species demonstrates expertise in gut microbiota modulation. Scientific Awards : Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus (2017) CBQF Annual Incentives (2021–2025) Advising & Leadership : She supervises biotechnology internships and co-organizes scientific outreach events like the International Microorganism Day and Open Week at ESB. Her editorial role at MDPI underscores her academic engagement.
Dr. Carmen Sofia da Rocha Freire Barros is a Coordinating Researcher in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Aveiro, leading the BioPol4Fun research group focused on biopolymer-based functional materials and bioactive compounds. Her research develops sustainable materials from renewable resources for applications in active food packaging, biomedical devices, and functional textiles. Current projects include NanoBioinks for 3D bioprinting, InPaCTus for eucalyptus-based products, and multiple biobased packaging initiatives. Dr. Barros has authored over 260 publications and holds patents in biopolymer composites and extraction methods. Recent publications demonstrate innovations in bioactive packaging films, cardiac regeneration patches, and flame-retardant fibers. Research consistently bridges green chemistry principles with advanced material functionality.
