Paula Alves

Paula M. Alves is the CEO of iBET and Professor at NOVA University of Lisbon (ITQB and FCT). She received her Ph.D. at Biochemical Engineering from the NOVA University of Lisbon, in 2001, and her B.S in Biochemistry from the Sciences Faculty of the University of Lisbon, in 1991. Working in Animal Cell Technology since 1990, Paula’s PhD contributed to the establishment of 3D in vitro models of Brain Cells for metabolic trafficking studies. She did part of her PhD studies at the NMR Centers of Sintef-Trondheim Hospital and of Bremen University.  In 2009, Paula was visiting researcher in Professor Daniel Wang Lab at MIT.

Paula’s research integrates cell metabolism understanding with biochemical engineering for the improvement of bioprocesses efficiency also focusing on the development of new tools and technologies for pre-clinical research. Her key areas of interest include (i) production of biopharmaceuticals such as viral vectors, vaccines and recombinant proteins (ii) development of 3D culture systems for expansion and differentiation of stem cells in bioreactors for cell therapy, regenerative medicine and in vitro toxicology applications (iii) expand systems biology approaches to improve the processes involved in the research described in (i) and (ii).

Paula is currently the Chairperson of the ESACT (European Society for Animal Cell Technology) and elected member of the US National Academy of Engineering (2021). She serves several scientific advisory boards namely the IMI (Innovative Medicines Initiative) and of EURL-ECVAM. Paula was a member of the Advisory Board of Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 1 – European Commission, between 2013 and 2018. She has published over 260 papers, 32 book chapters and supervised 35 PhD students, 18 post-docs and several master theses. In 2009 Paula received the Scientific Merit Award from NOVA University of Lisbon.