Professor Paula Castro holds a PhD in Biochemical Engineering from University College London (UCL) (1994). She began her higher education at the Catholic University of Portugal, graduating in Food Engineering in 1989. She is a full professor at the Biotechnology School, and is currently its dean. She teaches subjects in bioengineering and microbiology, focusing particularly on technology and sustainability.
Her research interests lie in environmental biotechnology and span various fields, including agri-food and health and well-being. She coordinated a vast range of national and international research projects, co-authored more than 250 publications in international journals/books and is among the world’s top 2% Scientists for career-long impact in Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology (Stanford University's list of the "World's Top 2% Scientists”).