Cátia Vieira completed her PhD in Marine Science, Technology, and Management (Do*Mar) at the University of Aveiro and the University of Vigo in 2026. She holds an MSc in Microbiology and a BSc in Biology and Geology from the University of Aveiro. During her academic career, she developed research in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), focusing on the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, protozoa, as well as fish-pathogenic helminths and crustaceans. In addition to aPDT, she explored other antimicrobial strategies, including conventional antibiotics, plant- and flower-derived extracts rich in phenolic compounds, and bacteriophage-based biocontrol approaches. She also investigated the use of adjuvants to enhance aPDT efficiency and evaluated the toxicity of these compounds using several biological models (Artemia franciscana, fish, and Aliivibrio fischeri). Additionally, she performed chemical analyses of seafood products using chromatographic techniques. She worked as a research grantee for two years on the project “Espumante de Portugal” within the LMA and Microlab research groups (CESAM, University of Aveiro), where she isolated yeasts, conducted molecular identification analyses, and evaluated their oenological potential for sparkling wine production. She is currently a research grantee in the Prism-LT project within the COMPASS group (CICECO, University of Aveiro), where she is developing 3D bioprinted living tissues based on the symbiotic relationship between stem cells and engineered helper microorganisms. Over the past years, Cátia Vieira has mentored twelve undergraduate and seven master’s students within the LMA research group and has participated in collaborative research with students and scientists from several institutions, including the University of Aveiro, the University of Vigo, the University of Santiago de Compostela, and CSIC-Vigo. She is the author or co-author of 24 original research articles published in international peer-reviewed journals, has presented 35 conference posters, and delivered 13 oral communications. Her scientific contributions reflect her dedication and commitment to advancing research in her field.