Ana Casaca, alumna of the Faculty of Biotechnology (ESB) of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, has recently been appointed as a member of the board of the European Innovation Council (EIC), the European Union’s main instrument for supporting disruptive innovation and deeptech technologies under the Horizon Europe programme. In this term, Ana Casaca is the only Portuguese representative on this strategic body, which is composed of 20 independent members.

With more than 20 years of experience in technology transfer, corporate innovation and ecosystem development, Ana Casaca is currently Director of Innovation at Galp. She holds a degree in Microbiology from the Universidade Católica Portuguesa and began her career as a researcher in San Francisco, supported by AICEP and Fulbright grants. She has built a solid career bridging science, industry and innovation and maintains a close connection to academia, through ongoing professional development.

Ana Casaca’s appointment comes at a particularly relevant moment, as the European Union prepares the next Multiannual Financial Framework, in a context of renewed ambition to strengthen European technological sovereignty and to scale up support for innovation.

The Faculty of Biotechnology welcomes this distinction, which reflects the impact and relevance of its alumni in international decision-making and innovation contexts.