“It was the need to understand things and, inevitably, to solve them that led me to pursue a research career.”

 

What would you say to a young person who aspires to become a researcher?

Above all, I would say they should be resilient and not be afraid to step outside their comfort zone. Science requires rigour and patience, but also courage to pursue our goals. Understanding that failure is part of the process is essential for high-quality research. There are no bad results, science is also built on a great deal of material that is not always published, but it is precisely this that makes us true researchers.

 

Was it your curiosity that led you to want to become a researcher?

More than being a curious person, I have always been someone who enjoys solving problems. To do that, it is necessary to understand why things work or happen in a certain way. I believe that this is implicit in science, but the truth is that becoming a scientist was never an ambition when I was young. It was the need to understand things and, inevitably, to solve them that led me to pursue a research career. I realised early on that research would allow me to fulfil these purposes and give me the freedom to do work that continually challenges me.

 

“At CBQF I discovered that it is possible to connect different areas, such as food, environmental and biomedical sciences, to conduct joint research.”

 

You have been a researcher at CBQF since 2022. How would you describe the research environment at the centre?

CBQF has a very collaborative and interdisciplinary environment. Here I discovered that it is possible to connect different areas, such as food, environmental and biomedical sciences, to carry out joint research. In a way, it broadened my horizons and perspectives. It is very enriching. In addition, collaboration with companies is strongly encouraged by the centre, allowing us to develop research with a more translational character. This is something that universities and research centres do not always manage to achieve.

 

What fascinates you about this scientific field?

Sport has always been part of my daily life, and having the opportunity to start my research in regenerative medicine in the orthopaedic field was fascinating, because I was able to understand early on the patient’s perspective and the injuries we aim to help solve. Over time, exploring different applications in tissue engineering became a natural process, since I already had a solid knowledge base that allowed me to explore new paths. For example, work in cancer research and, more recently, in skin regeneration - particularly the ability to use biomaterials to stimulate the body’s regenerative processes. Working with decellularized matrices and models allows us to create solutions that can significantly improve patients’ quality of life, and that is truly fascinating.

 

You have been working on a project that uses rabbit skin to develop advanced biomedical applications. What impact do the discoveries have?

The AgriDerma project transforms a by-product of the agri-food industry, rabbit skin, into advanced dermal substrates that can be used in tissue regeneration, including skin regeneration, or simply as a platform for biomedical research. The impact lies in bringing together sustainability and health, creating innovative solutions for regeneration or for developing tissue models for research. The recognition and technological progress achieved bring us closer to industrial valorisation, scalability and the transition to higher technological readiness levels, opening the door to investment and future partnerships. At the moment, we are advancing the validation of the process that will allow us to scale the production of decellularised rabbit dermal matrices, which is a significant step towards the success of this project. Above all, we are highly motivated by the possibility of making this matrix available to those who need and are interested in it.

 

What are your ambitions for the project?

At the moment, my main ambition is to consolidate the transition of the AgriDerma project into its translational phase. In the biomedical field, this journey involves facing demanding challenges in terms of certification, regulation and clinical validation. The medical field is particularly rigorous, which means more time, more data and significant financial investment. The opportunity to work closely with Cortadoria Nacional de Pêlo, as the source of the by-product that we jointly valorise, is a major advantage. The success of this process depends greatly on this strategic collaboration, sustained by a progressive vision and a genuine commitment to sustainability in the areas that bring us together.

 

“I enjoy sharing knowledge and inspiring students to think critically and innovatively.”

 

You were awarded the first prize of the Empowering Women in Agrifood programme. How was the experience?

It was a transformative experience. I would highlight the personalised mentorship - provided exclusively by women - and the practical entrepreneurship training component, which helped me better structure the market vision of the project I have been developing with rabbit dermal matrices.

 

In addition to research, you teach Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication at the Faculty of Biotechnology. How did you embrace this challenge?

Taking on teaching came very naturally, although it is challenging. I enjoy sharing knowledge and inspiring students to think critically and innovatively, especially in the field that interests me most. I recognise that the greatest difficulty is trying to be concise in the way we teach, given the sometimes complex terminology used in this area. Teaching also challenges me to keep studying and to stay constantly up to date.

 

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by scientists who combine scientific excellence with social impact and leadership, particularly women who have paved the way in fields traditionally dominated by men. For me, Professor Ana Oliveira, leader of the Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology laboratory at CBQF, is an undeniable reference. It was through her that I had my first real contact with scientific research, and I still have the privilege of sharing with her the most significant achievements of my career. Her support has undoubtedly been fundamental for my growth as a researcher and as a person. Professor Manuela Pintado is also a source of inspiration. Her ability to manage teams while promoting scientific excellence, without losing sight of everyone’s well-being, is deeply inspiring.