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Ana Catarina Branco completed her PhD degree in Materials Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon in January 2024. She is a materials engineer focused on the biomaterials field. She has expertise on advanced characterization techniques (atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, profilometry, rheometry, 3D scanning, mechanical and tribological testing). She has co-authored 17 published papers in high impact journals (11 as first author) that have >200 citations (source: SCOPUS), and has one more paper under review. Her h-index is currently 9. She presented work in more than 20 national and international conferences and was awarded twice for best communications (1 oral and 1 poster presentation). She is currently supervising 2 MSc students on themes related to the development of cartilage replacement materials. She is guest editor of a special issue in Materials: Articular cartilage replacement materials. She has been teaching in the areas of Materials Science and Tribology at Instituto Superior Técnico since 2021. Presently, she is a postdoctoral researcher and is working in the scope of a project related to the development of biomimetic platforms for the treatment of chronic wounds.
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Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Ana Catarina Moreno Branco
Date of birth
1992/02/03
Gender
Female

Citation names

  • Branco, Ana Catarina
  • Branco, A.C.

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
1A1E-2F1A-3A64
ORCID iD
0000-0003-2773-6475

Email addresses

  • ana.cm.branco@hotmail.com (Professional)
  • ana.branco@tecnico.ulisboa.pt (Professional)

Websites

Knowledge fields

  • Engineering and Technology - Materials Engineering
  • Engineering and Technology - Nano-technology

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
Portuguese (Mother tongue)
English Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1) Advanced (C1)
Education
Degree Classification
2019/11/01 - 2024/01/09
Concluded
 Materials engineering (Doutoramento)
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
"Fast production of zirconia based dental prosthesis by 3D printing" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 Pass with Distinction
2017
Concluded
 Bioengineering and Nanosystems (Mestrado)
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
"Study of the effect of pH of H2O2 solutions in human dental enamel properties" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
2015
Concluded
 Materials engineering (Licenciatura)
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2024/02 - Current Postdoc (Research) Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz, Portugal
Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz, Portugal

Teaching in Higher Education

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2021/03/01 - Current Invited Assistant (University Teacher) Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal

Others

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2019/11/01 - 2023/12/31 PhD grant (SFRH/BD/145423/2019) Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
(...)
2023/05/15 - 2023/07/15 Internship in Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds University of Leeds, United Kingdom
University of Leeds Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, United Kingdom
2019/03/25 - 2019/10/31 Research grant in the Project PTDC/CTM-BIO/3640/2014 Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz, Portugal
Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz, Portugal
(...)
2018/03/20 - 2019/03/20 Research grant in the Project 02/SAICT/2016/023940 - 3D-DentalPrint - Additive manufacturing of zirconia and nanostructured alumina/zirconia dental prosthesis Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Portugal
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Portugal
(...)
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2024/02 - Current Milk4WoundCare - Milk active agents as innovative platforms for chronic wound care solutions
2022.03408.PTDC
Post-doc Fellow
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
Ongoing
2022 - 2025 Additive Manufacturing for the next generation of freeform optical components
PTDC/EME-EME/7765/2020
Researcher
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Ongoing
2019 - 2022 CartHeal - Cartilages for hip prosthesis with controlled drug release ability
PTDC/CTM-CTM/29593/2017
Researcher
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
2019/03/25 - 2019/10/31 Esterilização de hidrogéis clinicamente ativos: em busca de estratégias eficazes
PTDC/CTM-BIO/3640/2014
Research Fellow
Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz, Portugal
 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
2018/03/20 - 2019/03/20 3D-DentalPrint - Additive Manufacturing of Zirconia and Nanostructured Alumina/Zirconia Dental Prosthesis
02/SAICT/2016/023940
Research Fellow
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded
Outputs

Publications

Conference abstract
  1. Branco, A.C.; Polido, M.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.; Serro, A.P.. "Enamel bleaching with H2O2 solutions: effect of pH". Paper presented in 2nd International Congress of CiiEM - Translational Research and Innovation in Human and Health Sciences, Monte da Caparica, 2018.
    Published
Conference paper
  1. Cardoso, C.; Branco, A.C.; Serro, A.P.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.. "Evaluation of the effect of citric and benzoic acids on the enamel morphology and wear resistance". 2019.
    10.15544/balttrib.2019.46
  2. Branco, A.; Polido, M.; Serro, A.P.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.. "Study of the effect of H2O2 used in whitening treatments on human enamel wear resistance". Paper presented in BALTTRIB 2017, Kaunas, 2017.
    Published • 10.15544/balttrib.2017.22
Conference poster
  1. Branco, Ana Catarina. "Tribological performance of leucite reinforced with zirconia for dental applications". Paper presented in 31st Conference of the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB2021), 2021.
  2. Branco, Ana Catarina. "Drug-eluting PCU hydrogels reinforced with cellulose acetate for cartilage replacement.". Paper presented in 31st Conference of the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB2021), 2021.
  3. Branco, Ana Catarina. "PVA-based hydrogels loaded with diclofenac for cartilage replacement". Paper presented in 31st Conference of the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB2021), 2021.
  4. Branco, Ana Catarina. "Leucite glass ceramics reinforced with zirconia for dental applications". Paper presented in 5th international congress of CiiEM, 2021.
  5. Branco, Ana Catarina. "PCU hydrogels reinforced with cellulose acetate for cartilage replacement with drug delivery control". Paper presented in 5th international congress of CiiEM, 2021.
  6. Branco, Ana Catarina. "Development of PVA-based hydrogels with controlled diclofenac release for cartilage replacement". Paper presented in 5th international congress of CiiEM, 2021.
  7. Branco, Ana Catarina. "Production of ceramic composite materials based on zirconia and leucite for dental applications". Paper presented in Encontro Ciência 2020, 2020.
  8. Branco, Ana Catarina; Martins, Francisco; Reis, José; Ana Paula Valagão Amadeu do Serro; Maurício, Paulo. "Acid Reflux Impact on Dental Resin Friction". Paper presented in Oral Health Research Congress, 2019.
  9. Branco, Ana Catarina; Polido, M; Colaço, Rogério; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.; Ana Paula Valagão Amadeu do Serro. "The influence of glaze on the tribological properties of zirconia dental pieces obtained by subtractive and additive manufacturing". Paper presented in Encontro Ciência 2019, 2019.
  10. Branco, Ana Catarina; Rodrigues, Ivan; Guedes, Mafalda; Ana Paula Valagão Amadeu do Serro; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.. "Applicability of robocasting for zirconia dental structures". Paper presented in Materiais 2019, 2019.
  11. Branco, A.; Polido, M.; Serro, A.P.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.. "Study of the effect of H2O2 used in whitening treatments on human enamel wear resistance". Paper presented in The 9th International conference BALTTRIB’2017, 2017.
  12. Branco, A.; Polido, M.; Serro, A.P.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.. "Enamel bleaching with H2O2 solutions: effect of pH". Paper presented in Translational Research and Innovation in Human and Health Sciences – 2nd International Congress of CIIEM, 2017.
  13. Branco, A.; Polido, M.; Serro, A.P.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.; Topete, A.; Oliveira, A.S.. "Study of the effect of pH of H2O2 solutions in enamel bleaching efficiency, morphology, microhardness and wear resistance". Paper presented in 4th Euro BioMAT, 2017.
  14. Branco, A.; Santos, F.; Polido, M.; Serro, A.P.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.. "Estudo do pH de soluções de H2O2 na eficiência do branqueamento e na microdureza do esmalte". Paper presented in 7th Biomechanics National Congress, 2017.
Journal article
  1. Branco, Ana Catarina. "Optimized 3D printed zirconia-reinforced leucite with antibacterial coating for dental applications". Dental Materials (2024): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2024.02.021.
    In press
  2. Branco, Ana Catarina; Colaço, Rogério; Figueiredo-Pina, Célio Gabriel; Serro, Ana Paula. "Recent Advances on 3D-Printed Zirconia-Based Dental Materials: A Review". Materials 16 5 (2023): 1860. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma16051860.
    Published • 10.3390/ma16051860
  3. Pereira, Daniel F.; Branco, A.C.; Cláudio, Ricardo; Marques, Ana C.; Figueiredo-Pina, C. G.. "Development of Composites of PLA Filled with Different Amounts of Rice Husk Fibers for Fused Deposition Modeling". Journal of Natural Fibers 20 1 (2023): http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2022.2162183.
    Published • 10.1080/15440478.2022.2162183
  4. Ribeiro, N.; Reis, M.; Figueiredo, L.; Pimenta, A.; Santos, L.F.; Branco, A.C.; Alves de Matos, A.P.; et al. "Improvement of a commercial calcium phosphate bone cement by means of drug delivery and increased injectability". Ceramics International (2022): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.07.279.
    Published • 10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.07.279
  5. Andreia S. Oliveira; Inês Ferreira; Ana C. Branco; João C. Silva; Carolina Costa; Pedro Nolasco; Ana C. Marques; et al. "Development of polycarbonate urethane-based materials with controlled diclofenac release for cartilage replacement". Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials (2022): https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.35042.
    Published • 10.1002/jbm.b.35042
  6. Branco, Ana C.; Oliveira, Andreia S.; Monteiro, Inês; Nolasco, Pedro; Silva, Diana C.; Figueiredo-Pina, Célio G.; Colaço, Rogério; Serro, Ana P.. "PVA-Based Hydrogels Loaded with Diclofenac for Cartilage Replacement". Gels 8 3 (2022): 143. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/gels8030143.
    Published • 10.3390/gels8030143
  7. A.C. Branco; T. Santos; M. Polido; R. Colaço; A.P. Serro; C.G. Figueiredo-Pina. "Wear of zirconia/leucite glass-ceramics composites: A chewing simulator study". Ceramics International (2021): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.10.247.
    10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.10.247
  8. Teixeira, H.; Branco, A.C.; Rodrigues, I.; Silva, D.; Cardoso, S.; Colaço, R.; Serro, A.P.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.. "Effect of albumin, urea, lysozyme and mucin on the triboactivity of Ti6Al4V/zirconia pair used in dental implants". Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 118 (2021): 104451. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104451.
    10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104451
  9. Branco, A. C.; Rodrigues, I.; Paradiso, P.; Polido, M.; Colaço, R.; Figueiredo-Pina, C. G.; Serro, A. P.. "Effect of H2O2 Solution's pH on the Human Enamel Micro and Nanowear". Tribology Letters 68 4 (2020): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11249-020-01376-9.
    10.1007/s11249-020-01376-9
  10. Branco, A.C.; Silva, R.; Jorge, H.; Santos, T.; Lorenz, K.; Polido, M.; Colaço, R.; Serro, A.P.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.. "Tribological performance of the pair human teeth vs 3D printed zirconia: An in vitro chewing simulation study". Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 110 (2020): 103900. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.103900.
    10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.103900
  11. Branco, Ana Catarina; Colaço, Rogério; Figueiredo-Pina, Célio Gabriel; Serro, Ana Paula. "A State-of-the-Art Review on the Wear of the Occlusal Surfaces of Natural Teeth and Prosthetic Crowns". Materials 13 16 (2020): 3525. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma13163525.
    Published • 10.3390/ma13163525
  12. Branco, A.C.; Silva, R.; Santos, T.; Jorge, H.; Rodrigues, A.R.; Fernandes, R.; Bandarra, S.; et al. "Suitability of 3D printed pieces of nanocrystalline zirconia for dental applications". Dental Materials 36 3 (2020): 442-455. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2020.01.006.
    Published • 10.1016/j.dental.2020.01.006
  13. Rodrigues, I.; Guedes, M.; Olhero, S.; Chefdor, A.; Branco, A.C.; Leite, M.; Serro, A.P.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.. "Development of free binder zirconia-based pastes for the production of dental pieces by robocasting". Journal of Manufacturing Processes 57 (2020): 1-9. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85086632596&partnerID=MN8TOARS.
    10.1016/j.jmapro.2020.06.015
  14. Branco, A. C.; Ribeiro, N.; Figueiredo-Pina, C. G.; Colaço, R.; Serro, A. P.. "Characterization of the Nanostructure of Collagen Fibers Following the Application of Dilute Hydrogen Peroxide used in Dental Whitening Treatments". Analytical Letters 53 5 (2019): 705-713. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00032719.2019.1668946.
    Published • 10.1080/00032719.2019.1668946
  15. Branco, A. C.; Brito, J.; Codorniz, M.; Steinhausen, M.; Martins, F.; Reis, J.; Maurício, P.; Colaço, R.; Serro, A. P.. "Tribological Behavior of Restorative Dental Microcomposites After Exposure to Mouth Acids". Tribology Letters 67 3 (2019): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11249-019-1204-5.
    Accepted • 10.1007/s11249-019-1204-5
  16. Branco, A.C.; Moreira, V.; Reis, J.A.; Colaço, R.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.; Serro, A.P.. "Influence of contact configuration and lubricating conditions on the microtriboactivity of the zirconia-Ti6Al4V pair used in dental applications". Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 91 (2019): 164-173. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.12.009.
    Published • 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.12.009
  17. Santos, F.; Branco, A.; Polido, M.; Serro, A.P.; Figueiredo-Pina, C.G.. "Comparative study of the wear of the pair human teeth/Vita Enamic® vs commonly used dental ceramics through chewing simulation". Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 88 (2018): 251-260. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.08.029.
    Published • 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.08.029
Activities

Oral presentation

Presentation title Event name
Host (Event location)
2023/11/08 Recent advances on 3D printed zirconia based dental materials Seminar in the course of Biomedical engineering
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (Setúbal, Portugal)
2023/10/23 Biotribology: Biomaterials for medical applications Seminar in the course of Tribology
Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon, Portugal)
2022/11/15 Leucite reinforced with zirconia produced by robocasting for dental applications PhD Open Days 2022
Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon, Portugal)
2022/10/07 3D printing of leucite-based materials reinforced with zirconia for dentistry IBERTRIB 2022
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (Setúbal, Portugal)
2021/05/28 Development of leucite-based materials reinforced with zirconia for dentistry CQE Days 2021
Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon, Portugal)
2019/09/19 Restoration Wear During Exercise Oral Health Research Congress
(Madrid, Spain)
2019/09/16 The influence of glaze on the tribological properties of zirconia dental pieces obtained by subtractive and additive manufacturing Jornadas CeFEMA 2019
Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon, Portugal)
2019/09/01 Subtractive vs additive manufacturing of zirconia dental samples: effect of glazing on the tribological behavior EuroMAT 2019
(Estocolmo, Sweden)
2019/06/26 Zirconia dental pieces produced by robocasting vs unidirectional compressing techniques: a chewing simulation comparative study Ibertriva 2019
(Sevilha, Spain)
2019/06/02 Effect of pH of H2O2 solutions on the morphology and wear resistance of human dental enamel: an AFM study 4nd International Congress of CIIEM
(Monte da Caparica, Portugal)
2019/05/08 Subtractive vs additive manufacturing in the production of Zirconia pieces for dental applications BioMAT 2019
(Weimar, Germany)
2019/04/14 The influence of glaze on the tribological properties of zirconia dental pieces obtained by subtractive and additive manufacturing Materiais 2019
(Lisbon, Portugal)
2019/04/04 Zirconia dental pieces produced by subtractive vs additive manufacturing with glaze coating XXVII Jornadas Internacionais Medicina Dentária
(Monte da Caparica, Portugal)
2018/06/20 Subtractive vs additive manufacturing in the production of Zirconia pieces for dental applications 3nd International Congress of CIIEM
(Monte da Caparica, Portugal)
2017 Harmful effects of teeth whitening treatments Jornadas de Engenharia Biomédica
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (Setúbal, Portugal)
2016 Teeth whitening Jornadas de Engenharia Química e Bioquímica
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (Setúbal, Portugal)

Supervision

Thesis Title
Role 		Degree Subject (Type)
Institution / Organization
2024/02 - Current Development of PVA-reinforced hydrogels for cartilage substitution with anti-inflammatory activity and cartilage regeneration ability
Co-supervisor of Matilde Sapinho Rosete
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
2024/02 - Current Development of multilayer hydrogels for articular cartilage regeneration
Co-supervisor of Joana Cabalú
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Portugal
2024/01 - Current 3D printing of ceramic dental crowns
Co-supervisor of Bernardo Violas
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Portugal

Event organisation

Event name
Type of event (Role) 		Institution / Organization
2022/05/23 - Current Participation and organization with the research group "BIOMAT Research Group" of the exposition "Longa Vida com os Biomateriais" at Dia do Técnico 2022, Lisbon, 23rd May, 2022. (2022/04 - 2022/05)
Exhibition (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
2023/09/29 - 2023/09/29 Participation and organization with the research group "BIOMAT Research Group" of the exposition "Olho por Olho" at European Researchers' Night 2023 , Pavilhão do conhecimento, Lisbon, Portugal. (2023/09/29)
Exhibition (Member of the Organising Committee)
2022/10/06 - 2022/10/07 Organization of the 11th Iberian Conference on Tribology - IBERTRIB 2022 (2022/01/06 - 2022/10/07)
Conference (Member of the Organising Committee)
2022/09/30 - 2022/09/30 Participation and organization with the research group "BIOMAT Research Group" of the exposition "Longa vida com os Biomateriais" at European Researchers' Night 2022 , National Museum of Natural History and Science, Lisbon, Portugal. (2022/09/30 - 2022/09/30)
Exhibition (Member of the Organising Committee)
2022 - 2022 ORBITAL World Cafe - direct interaction between patients, careers, clinicians, and people in the industry of ocular drug delivery about the impacts of chronic eye disease. (2022/03/25 - 2022/03/26)
Round table (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
2020/02/05 - 2020/02/07 Participation and organization with the research group "BIOMAT Research Group" of the module “Química 3D” in the event Laboratórios Abertos 2020 (2020/02/05 - 2020/02/07)
Exhibition (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
2017/09/29 - 2017/09/29 Participation with the research group "BIOMAT Research Group" in the organization and presentation of the module "Biomateriais: ao infinito e mais além" at the European Researchers' Night 2017 event at the National Museum of Natural History and Science, Lisbon, Portugal, September 29, 2017. (2017/09/29 - 2017/09/29)
Exhibition (Member of the Organising Committee)
 Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, Portugal
2015 - 2015 Business contact on JEEC (Jornadas de Engenharia Eletrotécnica e de Computadores) [IST] (2015 - 2015)
Other (Member of the Organising Committee)
 NEEC - Núcleo de Engenharia Electrotécnica e de computadores, Portugal

Jury of academic degree

Topic
Role 		Candidate name (Type of degree)
Institution / Organization
2020/10 Desgaste de Implantes Dentários
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Marisa de Oliveira Pires (Other)
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Portugal
2020/09 Evaluation of the effects of several acids contained in foods on dental wear
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Raquel Sofia Violante Inácio (Other)
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Portugal
2019/07 Evaluation of the effect of citric and benzoic acids on the enamel morphology and wear resistance
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Catarina Filipa Soares Cardoso (Other)
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Portugal

Consulting

Activity description Institution / Organization
2019/10/01 - 2019/12/20 Development of an antiseptic sponge containing Octenisan indicated for skin cleansing prior to medical or surgical invasive procedures (requested by BSG Pharmaceuticals)

Course / Discipline taught

Academic session Degree Subject (Type) Institution / Organization
2023/09 - Current Tribology Engenharia Mecânica (Mestrado integrado) Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
2021/03 - Current Materials Science Engenharia Mecânica (Licenciatura) Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal

Journal scientific committee

Journal title (ISSN) Publisher
2023/02/06 - Current Materials MDPI
2022/08/18 - 2022/08/24 Applied Sciences - Special issue: Applied Dentistry and Oral Sciences (2076-3417) MDPI

Mentoring / Tutoring

Topic Student name
2021/02 - 2021/06 Suitability of 3D printed pieces of nanocrystalline zirconia for dental applications. Luís Azevedo
2020/02 - 2020/06 Impressão 3D de materiais cerâmicos para aplicações dentárias. Pedro Zilhão
Distinctions

Award

2022 Excellent teacher recognition for outstanding teaching and mentorship
Universidade de Lisboa Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal
2021 Best student poster presentation in the 31st Conference of the European Society for Biomaterials
2019 Best oral presentation award in the XXVII Jornadas Internacionais Medicina Dentária