Biography
Paula M. Alves is the CEO of iBET and Professor at NOVA University of Lisbon. She received her B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Lisbon, in 1991, and her Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering from NOVA University of Lisbon, in 2001.
Working in Animal Cell Technology since 1990, her 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 the production of biopharmaceuticals such as viral vectors and vaccines, and the development of 3D culture systems for expansion and differentiation of stem cells in bioreactors for cell therapy, regenerative medicine and in vitro toxicology applications.
Paula Alves was the Chairperson of the ESACT (European Society for Animal Cell Technology) from 2017 to June 2022 and is currently a Member of the International Advisory Committee of the Center for Research and Development of Immunobiologicals – CerDI (Instituto Butantan, Brasil) and SAB Member of IABS (International Alliance for Biological Standardization (IABS) Endowment Fund Committee, France and of Vibalogics, Germany. At the European Commission she was member of IMI and EURL-ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee and of the Advisory Board of Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge.
She has published over 310 papers, 32 book chapters and has supervised over 40 PhD students, 18 post-docs and several master theses.
Paula was elected member of the National Academy of Engineering (USA) in 2021 for her leadership in biomanufacturing, advanced biotherapeutics, and bridging the gap between academia and industry. She received the Scientific Merit Award from NOVA University of Lisbon in 2009, the ECI Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies Award in February 2024 and the ESACT Medal in June 2024.