Assistant Researcher at the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) and Invited Professor of General Chemistry at the Faculty of Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), María Emilia Brassesco earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences in 2019 from Universidad Nacional de Rosario (Argentina), with research conducted at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (Portugal), and her B.Sc. in Biotechnology in 2014 from the same university. Her research expertise lies at the interface of protein chemistry, green bioprocessing, and food innovation. She focuses on: (i) the extraction, purification, and functionalisation of proteins and peptides from agri-food and fishery by-products; (ii) the development and characterisation of bioactive protein hydrolysates with antioxidant, antihypertensive, prebiotic, and antimicrobial properties; (iii) the application of advanced analytical and in vitro digestion models to study protein digestibility, bioaccessibility, and interactions with gut microbiota; and (iv) the development of food prototypes enriched with alternative proteins, validated through techno-functional, sensory, and shelf-life evaluation. She has published 30 peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus (with several additional chapters), co-invented a patent on bioactive peptides (FISHMUC), and contributed to the development of industrial processes (FISHCOLBOOSTER) and food prototypes (VIIAFOOD - protein-enriched crackers, fruit purées). Her work has been disseminated through invited lectures, international conferences, and special issue editorships. She has also been a reviewer for high-impact journals and an evaluator in national and international academic juries. Emilia has played an active role in collaborative research networks and European projects. She was Project Manager of the H2020 STARGATE project, and is/was involved in VIIAFOOD, FISHMUC, MULTI-BIOREFINERY, TransColab, UNCEREAL, and FishColBooster. She has established a strong international collaboration network with leading institutions, including Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands), the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (Portugal), Universidad Nacional de Rosario (Argentina), Universidade de Brasília and Embrapa (Brazil), Universidad Católica Boliviana (Bolivia), the University of Saint Joseph (Macao SAR), and participates in the CYTED Ibero-American Protein Network resulting in joint publications, research projects, and academic exchanges. Within CBQF, she is co-leader of Task Forces (Communication, External Engagements) and a member of the UCP Safety Committee. Her academic engagement includes supervising and co-supervising Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. students (some of them in collaboration with industry, SONAE MC), and delivering invited courses abroad, such as lectures and training at the Universidad Católica Boliviana under a TWAS–UNESCO fellowship. She has also organised and co-organised international scientific events and workshops, including the CIPCA congress and CBQF Day. She is also actively engaged in science communication, contributing to external newsletters of CBQF and international projects such as STARGATE, ensuring the dissemination of research outcomes to broader scientific, industrial, and societal audiences. She has recently been appointed to a Tenure Track position in collaboration with SONAE, strengthening the translation of sustainable protein research into healthier and market-oriented food solutions. Her profile reflects a strong integration of scientific output, applied innovation, leadership in collaborative projects, and training of the next generation of researchers, positioning her as a reference in sustainable protein research.