Dr. Cátia holds a BSc (2016) and a MSc (2018) in Biotechnology from the University of Aveiro (UAveiro), recently receiving her PhD (2024) in Biotechnology from the same institution, in collaboration with the University of Tübingen (Germany). During her PhD, she was deeply involved in solidifying a research line focused on human protein materials for biomedical purposes, validating their use to develop complex 3D tumor models. She developed fundamental skills on human cell isolation and manipulation, biological and molecular analysis, protein chemical modification, nanomaterials for bottom-up strategies, biomaterials characterization methodologies, and advanced microfabrication techniques. Drawing on her experience in developing an organ-on-a-chip (OoC) tumor model and conducting research work in one of the European leading research groups in OoC technology (Prof. Peter Loskill), Cátia is now leading a recently established line of investigation in OoC systems at the COMPASS RG, in CICECO. After completing her PhD, Cátia embraced a new challenge by working for 6 months as a researcher in Metatissue, a spin-off focused on developing 3D platforms based on human proteins. Currently, she is a Junior Researcher at the Department of Chemistry (DQUA), working under an ERC Advanced Grant (ID:883370), aimed at exploring microfluidics to advance multi-component bioprinting towards the development of 3D constructs for bone and vascular regeneration. She is also part of the coordination team of this project, where she takes responsibility in implementing technical aspects and submitting reports, demonstrating her growing project management skills and confidence by the project leader for such highly important tasks. Cátia’s efforts in academic research have led to notable scientific outputs. So far, Cátia has published 11 peer-reviewed research papers (7 as first author, 1 as corresponding author) in high-ranking international journals (all Q1). Cátia has submitted a provisional national patent application for the development of a human biomaterial, highlighting her commitment to translational research. She is author of 1 book chapter and has participated in 10 national and 15 international conferences, 4 workshops/summer schools, and other outreach events (e.g. TechDays Aveiro). She received a travel award for the MPS World Summit (2023) and her exceptional work and communication skills earned her the Best Oral Presentation award in 3 national/international events. She was jury of 1 BSc and 1 MSc thesis (2024) and has taught at Transferable Competencies I (since 2024) and Advanced and Biomimetic Materials (2024), at DQUA. Cátia has been deeply involved in the preparation of several competitive proposals such as ERC/EIC grants, FCT projects, HOP-ON proposals, La Caixa Foundation, Le Cancéropôle, and other European proposals. In the framework of the ERC-PoC grants (MicroBone, Amniogel, HumanINK) and ERC-Adv grant (REBORN), she has contributed to the projects’ execution and is involved in the coordination and management team of REBORN. She was a team member of the project awarded with the Bluepharma|Uni. Coimbra Innovation Award (2019), recognizing the originality and the societal impact of her work. She also received the Julia Polak European Doctorate Award 2025 for her exceptional thesis in the field of Biomaterials, and was recently awarded with a CEEC Individual Contract by FCT. Surprisingly, she was recently selected to participate in the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (Interdisciplinary) 2026, where she will meet Nobel Prize laureates. Currently, she is supervising 2 PhD students, 3 MSc research fellows, and 4 MSc students, and tutoring an additional 5 PhD students. She has been collaborating with recognized national/international researchers. Indeed, Cátia had the opportunity of visiting the Faculty of Pharmacy of University of Strasbourg (2020) and spent 6 months at the Faculty of Medicine of University of Tübingen (2023).