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PhD in Life Sciences (2011) with over 15 years of experience across biotechnology and innovation. She established the Innovation and Value Creation Unit (InnoValue) at NOVA Medical School | NOVA University Lisbon, which she has coordinated since 2023. Her work focuses on transforming science into value for health and society through knowledge and technology transfer and strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders. In recent years, Rita Rocha has specialised in aligning research outputs and early-stage technologies with intellectual property strategy, regulatory and ethical frameworks in the health sector, and market needs and positioning. She has managed over €1M in collaborative projects and contracts, structured an intellectual property portfolio comprising 20 assets (including 28 patents and 7 trademarks), and established concrete academia–industry collaborations, including 17 research contracts. She has also contributed to international innovation initiatives as a member of research teams, including EIT Health Flagship projects, ERC Proof of Concept grants, and CaixaImpulse Innovation.
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Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Rita Mafalda dos Santos Rocha do Rosário

Citation names

  • Rocha, Rita

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
0D18-5B08-2B80
ORCID iD
0000-0003-1193-8320

Email addresses

  • rita.rocha@nms.unl.pt (Professional)

Addresses

  • NOVA Medical School. Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 1169-056, Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal (Professional)

Websites

Knowledge fields

  • Medical and Health Sciences - Medical Biotechnology
Education
Degree Classification
2011
Concluded
 Bioquímica (Doutoramento)
Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade de Ciencias e Tecnologia, Portugal
"Structural impact of ambiguous CUG decoding in Candida albicans" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 Aprovada com distinção e louvor - approved
2003
Concluded
 Bioquímica (Licenciatura)
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Portugal
 15 (0-20)
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution		 Employer
2022/07/01 - Current Science and Technology Management Universidade NOVA de Lisboa NOVA Medical School, Portugal
Universidade NOVA de Lisboa NOVA Medical School, Portugal
2015/12/01 - 2022/06/30 Researcher (Research) Universidade do Porto Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Portugal
2020 - 2021 Science and Technology Management YourBiome Therapeutics, Portugal
2011 - 2015 Postdoc (Research) Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal

Teaching in Higher Education

Category
Host institution		 Employer
2013 - 2020 Invited Adjunct Teacher (Polytechnic Teacher) Escola Superior Saúde Santa Maria, Portugal
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2015 - 2022 Structural and functional characterization of K+ transport in bacteria
SFRH/BPD/111525/2015
Post-doc Fellow
Concluded
2011 - 2015 Unveiling the molecular basis of the echinocandins resistance - the first-line antifungals
Pfizer, Inc (USA) | WS814116.
Post-doc Fellow
2013 - 2013 ASPIRE - Translational research project for development of a novel protein affinity tag
IBMC
Principal investigator
2005 - 2010 Determination of the 3D-structure of the translational factors that mediate a genetic code change in Candida albicans
SFRH/BD/15233/2004
PhD Student Fellow

Contract

Designation Funders
2026 - Current MetaBoost: Metabolic Reprogramming for Neuronal Differentiation
01248627 — MetaBoost
Researcher
Horizon Europe Excellent Science
Ongoing
2025 - Current NEUROSHIELD - Novel small molecule activator of neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s Disease
101188579 - NEUROSHIELD
Researcher
Horizon Europe Excellent Science
Ongoing
2025 - Current HUBP2C: Hub de Inovação Pré-clínica-para-Clínica da NOVA Medical School
HUBP2C
Researcher
Lisboa 2030
Ongoing
2024 - Current NeuroTarget: Biomarker and a therapeutic target for metastatic breast cancer (Stage 1)
NeuroTarget
Researcher
Fundación Bancaria Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona 'la Caixa'
Concluded
2023 - Current ASSIST: AI Scalable Solution for ST Myocardial Infarction
ASSIST
Project Manager
EIT Health
Concluded
2025 - 2025 CURE-AF: Clinical Utilization and Evidence Generation for Real-time ECGI in Atrial Fibrillation
CURE-AF
Project Manager
EIT Health
Concluded
2023 - 2025 TrainR4U: Training Robot for Ultrassound
TrainR4U
Project Manager
EIT Health
Concluded
2018/07/26 - 2022/07/25 Characterization of the molecular properties of the K+ homeostasis machinery in a bacterium
PTDC/BIA-BQM/29863/2017
Principal investigator
Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2018 - 2022 Characterization of the molecular properties of the K+ homeostasis machinery in a bacterium
PTDC/BIA-BQM/29863/2017
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)
2017 - 2021 Bacterial K+ transporters are potential antimicrobial targets: mechanisms of transport and regulation
FLAD LIFE SCIENCE 2020
Post-doc
Concluded
2011 - 2015 Unveiling the molecular basis of echinocandins resistance - the first-line antifungals.
WS814116
Post-doc
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
 Pfizer Inc
Concluded
2011 - 2012 Clinical efficacy of a novel technology for microbial load decontamination in hospital intensive care units
ASP - Johnson & Johnson, Inc.|Tracking number: 11-ASP-001
Researcher
2010 - 2011 In vitro effect of antifungal combinations against Candida species
Pfizer Tracking Number WS718413
Researcher
2010 - 2011 QUITORAL: development of new prototypes with applications on oral medicine having chitosan as antimicrobial agent
QREN-ADI Project 3474
Researcher
2005/07/01 - 2008/12/30 Molecular study of the virulence mechanism of Candida albicans
POCI/SAU-IMI/61598/2004
Researcher
Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal

Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2005/06/01 - 2008/05/31 Determination of the 3D-structure of the translational factors that mediate a genetic code change in Candida albicans.
POCI/BIA-PRO/55472/2004
Researcher
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2005/02/01 - 2008/04/30 Understanding morphogenesis and sexual reproduction induced by an alteration to the genetic code in Candida albicans
POCI/BIA-MIC/55466/2004
Researcher
Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
Outputs

Publications

Conference paper
  1. Rocha, R.; Morais-Cabral, J. H.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "Insights into the synthesis of beta-1,3-glucan in Candida albicans: relevance for echinocandins inhibition". Paper presented in 7th Trends in Medical Mycology, Lisbon, 2015.
Conference poster
  1. Jorge, João M. P.; Rocha, Rita; Teixeira-Duarte, C. M.; Morais-Cabral, João. "In vivo study of the physiological role of Bacillus subtilis potassium importers". Paper presented in Bacterial Networks, 2019.
  2. Laranjeira, João; Cruz, Rui; Vilaça, Rita; Mendes, Marta V.; Rocha, Rita; Vieira-Pires, Ricardo S.. "Immunotargeting of E.coli TolC outer membrane channel". Paper presented in 5th International Iberian Biophysics Congress, 15-17th June 2016, Porto, Portugal, 2016.
Journal article
  1. Rocha, Rita; Jorge, João M. P.; Teixeira-Duarte, Celso M.; Figueiredo-Costa, Inês R.; Cereija, Tatiana B.; Ferreira-Teixeira, Paula F.; Herzberg, Christina; Stülke, Jörg; Morais-Cabral, João H.. "c-di-AMP determines the hierarchical organization of bacterial RCK proteins". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 121 18 (2024): https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2318666121.
    10.1073/pnas.2318666121
  2. Rodrigues, Tânia; Rodrigues Fialho, Sofia; Araújo, João Ricardo; Rocha, Rita; Moreira-Rosário, André. "Procedures in Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Journal of Clinical Medicine 12 5 (2023): 1725. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm12051725.
    10.3390/jcm12051725
  3. Moreira-Rosário, André; Marques, Cláudia; Pinheiro, Hélder; Araújo, João Ricardo; Ribeiro, Pedro; Rocha, Rita; Mota, Inês; et al. "Gut Microbiota Diversity and C-Reactive Protein Are Predictors of Disease Severity in COVID-19 Patients". Frontiers in Microbiology 12 (2021): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.705020.
    10.3389/fmicb.2021.705020
  4. Rocha, Rita; Teixeira-Duarte, Celso M.; Jorge, João M.P.; Morais-Cabral, João Henrique. "Characterization of the molecular properties of KtrC, a second RCK domain that regulates a Ktr channel in Bacillus subtilis". Journal of Structural Biology 205 3 (2019): 34-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2019.02.002.
    10.1016/j.jsb.2019.02.002
  5. Szollosi, Andras; Vieira-Pires, Ricardo S.; Teixeira-Duarte, Celso M.; Rocha, Rita; Morais-Cabral, João H.. "Dissecting the Molecular Mechanism of Nucleotide-Dependent Activation of the KtrAB K+ Transporter". PLOS Biology 14 1 (2016): e1002356. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002356.
    10.1371/journal.pbio.1002356
  6. Espinar, Maria José; Miranda, Isabel M.; Costa-de-Oliveira, Sofia; Rocha, Rita; Rodrigues, Acácio G.; Pina-Vaz, Cidália. "Urinary Tract Infections in Kidney Transplant Patients Due to Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae-Producing Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamases: Risk Factors and Molecular Epidemiology". PLOS ONE 10 8 (2015): e0134737. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134737.
    10.1371/journal.pone.0134737
  7. Noites, Rita; Pina-Vaz, Cidália; Rocha, Rita; Carvalho, Manuel Fontes; Gonçalves, Acácio; Pina-vaz, Irene. "Synergistic Antimicrobial Action of Chlorhexidine and Ozone in Endodontic Treatment". BioMed Research International 2014 (2014): 1-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/592423.
    10.1155/2014/592423
  8. Miranda, Isabel; Silva-Dias, Ana; Rocha, Rita; Teixeira-Santos, Rita; Coelho, Carolina; Gonçalves, Teresa; Santos, Manuel A. S.; et al. "Candida albicans CUG Mistranslation Is a Mechanism To Create Cell Surface Variation". mBio 4 4 (2013): http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00285-13.
    10.1128/mbio.00285-13
  9. Faria-Ramos, I.; Espinar, M.J.; Rocha, R.; Santos-Antunes, J.; Rodrigues, A.G.; Cantón, R.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "A novel flow cytometric assay for rapid detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases". Clinical Microbiology and Infection 19 1 (2013): E8-E15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03986.x.
    10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03986.x
  10. Teixeira-Santos, R.; Rocha, R.; Moreira-Rosário, A.; Monteiro-Soares, M.; Cantón, E.; Rodrigues, A.G.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "Novel method for evaluating in vitro activity of anidulafungin in combination with amphotericin B or azoles". Journal of Clinical Microbiology 50 8 (2012): 2748-2754. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84864399944&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1128/JCM.00610-12
  11. Silva-Dias, A.; Miranda, I.M.; Rocha, R.; Monteiro-Soares, M.; Salvador, A.; Rodrigues, A.G.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "A novel flow cytometric protocol for assessment of yeast cell adhesion". Cytometry Part A 81 A 3 (2012): 265-270. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84857373442&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1002/cyto.a.21170
  12. Rocha, R.; Barbosa Pereira, P.J.; Santos, M.A.S.; MacEdo-Ribeiro, S.. "Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the seryl-tRNA synthetase from Candida albicans". Acta Crystallographica Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications 67 1 (2011): 153-156. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-78651065708&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1107/S1744309110048542
  13. Espinar, M.J.; Rocha, R.; Ribeiro, M.; Rodrigues, A.G.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "Extended-spectrum ß-lactamases of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae screened by the VITEK 2 system". Journal of Medical Microbiology 60 6 (2011): 756-760. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79957590706&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1099/jmm.0.024075-0
  14. Rocha, R.; Pereira, P.J.B.; Santos, M.A.S.; Macedo-Ribeiro, S.. "Unveiling the structural basis for translational ambiguity tolerance in a human fungal pathogen". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 108 34 (2011): 14091-14096. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-80052182956&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1073/pnas.1102835108
  15. Silva, A.P.; Miranda, I.M.; Guida, A.; Synnott, J.; Rocha, R.; Silva, R.; Amorim, A.; et al. "Transcriptional profiling of azole-resistant Candida parapsilosis strains". Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 55 7 (2011): 3546-3556. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79959214576&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1128/AAC.01127-10
  16. Costa-de-Oliveira, S.; Miranda, I.M.; Silva, R.M.; E Silva, A.P.; Rocha, R.; Amorim, A.; Rodrigues, A.G.; Pina-Vaz, C.. "FKS2 mutations associated with decreased echinocandin susceptibility of Candida glabrata following anidulafungin therapy". Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 55 3 (2011): 1312-1314. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79952357849&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1128/AAC.00589-10
  17. Miranda, I.; Rocha, R.; Santos, M.C.; Mateus, D.D.; Moura, G.R.; Carreto, L.; Santos, M.A.S.. "A genetic code alteration is a phenotype diversity generator in the human pathogen Candida albicans". PLoS ONE 2 10 (2007): http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-39149117967&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1371/journal.pone.0000996
  18. Silva, R.M.; Paredes, J.A.; Moura, G.R.; Manadas, B.; Lima-Costa, T.; Rocha, R.; Miranda, I.; et al. "Critical roles for a genetic code alteration in the evolution of the genus Candida". EMBO Journal 26 21 (2007): 4555-4565. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-35648984625&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1038/sj.emboj.7601876
Preprint
  1. Rocha, Rita; Jorge, João M. P.; Texeira-Duarte, Celso M.; Figueiredo-Costa, Inês R.; Herzberg, Christina; Stülke, Jörg; Morais-Cabral, João H.. "c-di-AMP determines the hierarchical organization of bacterial RCK proteins". 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.24.538052.
    10.1101/2023.04.24.538052

Intellectual property

Patent
  1. 2017. "Kit and method of detecting the resistant microorganisms to a therapeutic agent".
    Granted/Issued
Distinctions

Award

2007 Best innovation project in food biotechnology
2007 Best poster presentation in the international