Short Biography
Francisca Arez is a scientist and junior project manager in the Advanced Cell Models Lab, since 2022.
Her main activity has been in collaborative partnerships with academic and industrial partners, focused on the development and interrogation of 3D hepatic cell models towards translational applications (e.g., evaluation of gene-based and pharmacological therapies).
Currently, Francisca has been expanding her knowledge in the field of immunology, setting up immunocompetent 3D models to interrogate the liver innate immune response to novel ATMPs.
Francisca holds a MSc in Biochemistry for Health (NOVA University of Lisbon) and a PhD in Bioengineering (from Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon and ITQB NOVA, NOVA University of Lisbon). During her academic career, she acquired competencies on stem cell differentiation (neural and hepatic), bioreactor technology and in the establishment of functional readouts for disease modeling and drug discovery applications by combining bioengineering and cell biology approaches.