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Catarina Pereira de Melo Vila Real is a junior researcher at Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina (CBQF), Escola Superior de Biotecnologia (ESB), Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP). She is currently involved in a PRR-funded project aimed at enhancing the nutritional quality of bakery and confectionery products in collaboration with the food industry. Catarina also contributes to the supervision of an MSc dissertation within this PRR project. Additionally, she actively participates as a peer-reviewer for scientific journals and is an invited assistant in the Nutrition and Health course within the Nursing Bachelor program. Previously (2022-2023), Catarina worked as a researcher in the PROVEG project, collaborating closely with the food industry to develop plant-based alternatives to cheese. Within this project, she co-supervised 2 MSc theses, part of Joint European Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems Engineering, Technology, and Business (BiFTec-FOOD4S). Her research interests primarily focus on the development and validation of plant-based functional foods, as well as the study of prebiotic foods/ingredients, probiotic strains, and the modulation of intestinal microbiota. Catarina obtained her Ph.D. in Biotechnology - Food Science and Engineering from CBQF, ESB, UCP, in 2021. Her doctoral research aimed to study the dietary intake and nutrition of the adult population residing in urban areas of Kenya. This included the development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire. Additionally, the research focused on the development and characterization of an innovative fermented food product based on gluten-free African whole grains, with enhanced functional properties and nutritional profile. The goal was to address nutritional deficiencies observed within the populations under study. Before this, she completed her Master's in Food Engineering in 2014 and her Bachelor's in Nutrition Sciences in 2012, both at the Portuguese Catholic University School of Biotechnology. She gained international experience during internships in Florianopolis, Brazil, and Nairobi, Kenya. Catarina has contributed to seven papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has presented more than 10 oral and poster presentations at (inter)national conferences. She has received 5 awards and/or honors, including 2 merit scholarships throughout her bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as 2 awards for best poster presentations at international conferences. As part of the Senior Mentorship Program with ESB UCP 2017/2018, she received an honorable mention. In addition to her academic pursuits, Catarina collaborates with companies in the food sector, particularly in areas related to nutritional labeling, food safety, and quality, demonstrating her commitment to advancing research and innovation in the field.
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Identification

Personal identification

Full name
Catarina Pereira de Melo Vila Real

Citation names

  • Vila-Real, Catarina

Author identifiers

Ciência ID
481A-13D6-745E

Email addresses

  • cvreal@ucp.pt (Professional)

Websites

Knowledge fields

  • Medical and Health Sciences - Health Sciences - Nutrition, Dietetics

Languages

Language Speaking Reading Writing Listening Peer-review
English Upper intermediate (B2) Advanced (C1) Upper intermediate (B2) Advanced (C1)
Spanish; Castilian Elementary (A2) Advanced (C1) Beginner (A1) Intermediate (B1)
Education
Degree Classification
2023/12/09 - 2023/12/16
Concluded
 Gestão Estratégica da Inovação (Outros)
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
2023/11/03 - 2023/11/11
Attended
 Curso Prático HACCP - Módulo 2 (Outros)
Associação Portuguesa de Nutrição, Portugal
2015/04/15 - 2021/07/26
Concluded
 Biotecnologia (Doutoramento)
Major in Ciência e Engenharia Alimentar
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
"Dietary intake and tailored fermentation toward the development of functional cereal fibre-rich food products: bridge between Africa and Europe" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
2019/08/05
Concluded
 Formação Pedagógica Inicial de Formadores -CCP (Outros)
Major in Formação
Knowit, Portugal
 Aprovada
2017/11/22
Concluded
 Hands-on Training on Baking Technology (Outros)
BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria
 Aprovado
2014/07/30
Concluded
 Food Engineering (Mestrado)
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
"Estudo de Métodos Analíticos Alternativos para quantificação do teor de cálcio, ferro e vitamina c em Pré-misturas enriquecidas em micronutrientes" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 Sixteen (16) values (16/20)
2012/09/17
Concluded
 Nutrition Sciences (Licenciatura)
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
"Análise demográfica e clínico-nutricional de indivíduos submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica no Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina" (THESIS/DISSERTATION)
 Seventeen (17) values (17/20)
Affiliation

Science

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2023/08/07 - Current Contracted Researcher (Research) Portuguesa Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina, Portugal
Portuguesa Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina, Portugal
2022/06/15 - 2023/06/30 Contracted Researcher (Research) Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
(...)

Teaching in Higher Education

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2024/02 - Current Invited Assistant (University Teacher) Portuguesa Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina, Portugal
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior Politécnica de Saúde, Portugal

Others

Category
Host institution 		Employer
2014/10/01 - 2017/12/31 Research Fellowship on FIBREPRO project, an ERAFRICA project. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2013/11/01 - 2014/04/01 Curricular Traineeship and Masters Degree (in Food Engineering) thesis Area of work: Mineral and Vitamins Analytical Methods, Infant Nutrition Products Nestle Portugal S A, Portugal
2013/05/01 - 2013/10/01 Professional Traineeship to access Ordem dos Nutricionistas Areas of work: -Innovation and Food Technology: Member of the Organizing Committee of the 1st International Conference of PortugalFoods; -Fo Associação Integralar Intervenção de Excelência no Sector Agro-Alimentar, Portugal
2012/03/01 - 2012/08/01 Curricular Traineeship in International Mobility Area of work: -Clinical Nurition (University Hospital of UFSC) -Catering (University Restaurat of UFSC) Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil
Projects

Grant

Designation Funders
2014/10/01 - 2017/12/31 Tailored fermentation for delivery of wholegrain and cereal fibre-rich products: promoting dietary fibre intake in Africa and Europe.
ERA-AFR/0002/2013 BI_I
Research Fellow
Portuguesa Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina, Portugal

Helsingin Yliopisto, Finland

University of Nairobi, Kenya

Institut de Recherche en Sciences Appliquées et Technologies Department of Food Technology, 03 BP 7047, Burkina Faso
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Concluded

Contract

Designation Funders
2023/08/07 - Current Agenda VIIAFOOD - Vieira de Castro
02/C05-i01.01/2022.PC644929456-00000040
Post-doc
Portuguesa Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina, Portugal
Ongoing
2022/06/15 - 2023/06/30 PROVEG - Desenvolvimento de alternativas ao queijo de origem vegetal
AAC 17/SI/2019
Researcher
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal

WHITE AND GREEN NATURAL S.A., Portugal
Concluded
Outputs

Publications

Conference abstract
  1. Vila-Real, Catarina; Barbosa, Joana C.; Bruna Figueiredo; Ana Maria Pereira Gomes. Corresponding author: Ana Maria Pereira Gomes. "Plant-based cheese-type analogues: a review on nutritional and functional challenges.". Paper presented in Innovation in Mediterranean Traditional Foods: novel products and processes (IMTF), Bragança, 2022.
    Published
  2. Vila-Real, Catarina; Costa, Célia Maria; Pimenta-Martins Ana; Maina, Ndegwa H; Katina, Kati; Mbugua, Samuel; Sawadogo-Lingani Hagrétou; Pinto, Elisabete; Gomes, Ana. "Biological Potential of a Novel Symbiotic Functional Fermented African Cereal-Based Product and its Influence on the Human Gut Microbiota". Paper presented in International Scientific Conference on Probiotics, Prebiotics, Gut Microbiota and Health, Praga, 2020.
    In press
Conference poster
  1. Vila-Real, Catarina; Katarina TOPALOVIC; Srishti KHURANA; Bruna FIGUEIREDO; Ana Maria Pereira Gomes. "Towards the development of a plant-based cheese analogue: application of commercial starter cultures". Paper presented in International Congress on Engeneering and Food ICEF14, 2023.
  2. Vila-Real, Catarina; Katarina TOPALOVIC; Srishti KHURANA; Bruna FIGUEIREDO; Ana Maria Pereira Gomes. "Application of commercial starter cultures for the development of a plant-based cheese analogue: study of growth conditions". Paper presented in XXII Congress of Food and Nutrition, 2023.
  3. Vila-Real, Catarina; Márcia BARBOSA; Dina RODRIGUES; Ana FREITAS; Ana Maria Pereira Gomes. "Application of almond milk residue in the development of a functional almond cream spread". Paper presented in Effost International Conference, 2022.
Journal article
  1. Batista, Patrícia; Maria Rodrigues Penas; Maria Manuela Estevez Pintado; Patrícia Oliveira-Silva. Corresponding author: Batista, Patrícia. "Kombucha: Challenges for Health and Mental Health". Foods 12 3378 (2023):
    Published
  2. Vila-Real, Catarina; Ana Sofia Pimenta Martins; Samuel Mbugua; Sawadogo-Lingani Hagrétou; kati katina; Ndegwa Henry Maina; Elisabete Cristina Bastos Pinto; Ana Maria Pereira Gomes. Corresponding author: Ana Maria Pereira Gomes. "Novel synbiotic fermented finger millet-based yoghurt-like beverage: Nutritional, physicochemical, and sensory characterization". Journal of Functional Foods 99 105324 (2022):
    Published
  3. Real, Catarina; Pimenta-Martins Ana; Catherine Nkirote Kunyanga; Samuel Kuria Mbugua; Kati Katina; Ndegwa Henry Maina; Ana Maria Pereira Gomes; Elisabete Cristina Bastos Pinto. Corresponding author: Elisabete Cristina Bastos Pinto. "Nutritional intake and food sources in an adult urban Kenyan population". Nutrition Bulletin 00 (2022): 1-15.
    Published • 10.1111/nbu.12582
  4. Vila-Real, Catarina; Pimenta-Martins, Ana; Magu, Jack-Susan; Kunyanga, Catherine; Mbugua, Samuel; Katina, Kati; Maina, Ndegwa H; Gomes, Ana MP; Pinto, Elisabete. "A culture-sensitive semi-quantitative FFQ for use among the adult population in Nairobi, Kenya: development, validity and reproducibility". Public Health Nutrition (2020): 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s136898002000169x.
    10.1017/s136898002000169x
  5. Vila-Real, Catarina; Pimenta-Martins, Ana; Maina, Ndegwa; Gomes, Ana M. P.; Pinto, Elisabete. "Nutritional Value of African Indigenous Whole Grain Cereals Millet and Sorghum". Nutrition & Food Science International Journal 1 (2017): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323752550_Nutritional_Value_of_African_Indigenous_Whole_Grain_Cereals_Millet_and_Sorghum.
    10.19080/NFSIJ.2017.04.555628
  6. Vila-Real, Catarina; Pimenta-Martins, Ana; Gomes, Ana M. P.; Pinto, Elisabete; Maina, Ndegwa. "How Dietary Intake Has Been Assessed In African Countries? A Systematic Review.". Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2016): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27996293.
  7. Vila-Real, Catarina; Miranda JXD; Moreira EAM. "Metabolic Disorders/Comorbidities Profile of Adults Undergoing Roux-En-Y Gastric-Bypass in a Brazilian Public Hospital and Risk Mortality Assessment using Edmonton Obesity Staging System: A 13-Year Study.". Journal of Food and Nutritional Disorders 6 (2015): https://www.scitechnol.com/peer-review/metabolic-disorders-comorbidities-profile-of-adults-undergoing-rouxeny-gastric-bypass-in-a-brazilian-public-hospital-and-risk-mort-gVaE.php?article_id=4048.
    Published • 10.4172/2324-9323.1000186
Activities

Supervision

Thesis Title
Role 		Degree Subject (Type)
Institution / Organization
2024/01/08 - Current Nutritional enhancement of bakery and pastry products, with particular focus on functionality and sustainability
Co-supervisor
 Joint European Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems Engineering, Technology, and Business (BiFTec-FOOD4S) (Master)
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
2023/01/09 - 2023/07/30 Development and characterisation of a nutritionally balanced plant-based Cheddar analogue – preliminary studies
Co-supervisor
 Joint European Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems Engineering, Technology, and Business (BiFTec-FOOD4S) (Master)
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
2023/01/09 - 2023/07/30 Development and Characterization of a Nutritionally- Balanced Plant-Based Gouda Cheese Analogue– Preliminary Studies
Co-supervisor
 Joint European Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems Engineering, Technology, and Business (BiFTec-FOOD4S) (Master)
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
2020/09/01 - 2021/01/31 Avaliação do estado nutricional e da qualidade da dieta de trabalhadores por turnos
Co-supervisor
 Biotecnologia e Inovação – ramo Nutrição e Envelhecimento (Master)
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal

Jury of academic degree

Topic
Role 		Candidate name (Type of degree)
Institution / Organization
2023/10 Desenvolvimento de Bebidas Solúveis para Melhoria da Saúde do Consumidor
(Thesis) Arguer
 Mariana Marques (Master)
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
2023/01 Avaliação do impacto do programa Nutrium Corporate Wellness na literacia nutricional em meio laboral
(Thesis) Arguer
 Mariana Ferreira (Master)
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal
2022/10/06 Biotech in Psy: Tools to Understand the Brain
(Thesis) Main arguer
 Maria de Fátima Rodrigues Penas (Master)
Instituto Politécnico do Porto Escola Superior de Saúde, Portugal

Mentoring / Tutoring

Topic Student name
2023/12/18 - 2024/05/31 Development and Characterisation of plant-based cheese analogues Mafalda Vieira; Carolina Cruz; Inês Pimenta
Distinctions

Award

2020 Best Poster Award - Food Quality and Texture in Sustainable Production and Healthy Consumption
ISEKI-Food Association, Austria
2017 Best Poster Award - ICC for WholeGrain Research
Nestlé Research Center, Switzerland

International Association for Cereal Science and Technology, Austria
2013 Honorable mention - Programa de Mentorado Senhor Comendador Arménio Miranda com ESB UCP 2017/2018
Frulact, Portugal
2012 Merit scholarship for being one of the best classified students of Master's Degree of the Faculty of Biotechnology-Portuguese Catholic University
2010 Merit scholarship for best academic performance in the 2nd year of the school year 2009/2010 - Degree in Nutrition Sciences

Title

2017 PhD Student Representative - III Jornadas Universidade Empresa na Formação Pós-Graduada
Universidade Católica Portuguesa Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Portugal