Alexandra Moreira holds a D.Phil in Molecular Biology from the University of Oxford, UK, and has a Principal Investigator position at the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS) of the University of Porto. She also leads the Gene Regulation research group at the Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), the largest health research centre in Portugal. Internationally recognized as an expert in RNA Biology, Moreira has over 30 years of research experience dedicated to investigating the molecular mechanisms of gene expression regulation. Her focus on events that are physiologically relevant in health and disease has led to significant achievements, including the identification of 3’UTR sequences such as iPLUS. Through the binding of specific RBPs, iPLUS increases mRNA and protein levels, thereby controlling the expression of genes crucial for neurite outgrowth, cell proliferation, and viability. Moreira authors 33 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious and high-ranked journals (Genes and Dev, EMBOJ, RNA, Blood; Mol Cell Biol) that are key references in the field, with over 1650 citations, and with 68.8% of her publications being considered by Scopus in the top 25% most cited publications worldwide (h=21, ORCID:0000-0001-9853-7575). Recently, she secured a patent for the use of iPLUS to enhance mRNA-based therapeutics (WO/2020/076174), highlighting the translational strength of her research. Moreira's scientific expertise extends to active participation in European Networks, where she applies her know-how to the development of new therapeutic tools. Some of these are currently undergoing clinical trials (NCT05117593). She is a sought-after speaker at international conferences and institutions (RNA Society, EMBO meetings, CNRS, IGFL, Lyon, and ICGEB, Trieste, University of Oxford) and she was the recipient of several awards and/or honors (2 AstraZeneca Innovate Competition awards). Moreira successfully coordinated and participated in 19 international and national competitive project grants (la Caixa-CaixaImpulse, Gilead, EU-FP7, H2020, Twinning, FCT) and she served as a Management Committee member of a COST Action on the Delivery of Antisense RNA Therapeutics. During the Covid-19 outbreak, Moreira served as the Coordinator of the RNA task force for Covid-19 testing at i3S, collaborating with hospitals and health centres. As an educator, Moreira has supervised over 15 PhD students, 7 post-doc fellows, ERASMUS+ students, and numerous MSc students. Many of her former students and post-docs have gone on to become university professors, research group leaders, and scientific directors for biopharma companies. She served as external examiner in over 50 international and national Ph.D. theses, including those at the University of Oxford, UK, and the Open University, UK, at ICGEB, Trieste, Italy. In her commitment to fostering scientific discussions and synergies in cutting-edge technologies in RNA and Molecular Biology, Moreira founded the Portuguese RNA Biology group (ptRNA). Moreira organizes several ptRNA annual meetings, seminars, conferences, and symposia and actively disseminates scientific knowledge in the media (TV/radio/podcasts/newspapers) to the general public. At ICBAS, Moreira teaches Molecular Biology for Veterinary and Medical students, RNA Biology for MSc and PhD students, and serves on the Scientific Board of the Molecular and Cell Biology PhD Program. Additionally, she is responsible for ICBAS's Internationalization program. To foster an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, Moreira implemented and organizes the International Seminar Series at ICBAS, featuring leading international guest speakers from different backgrounds and scientific areas. Together with her research activities, Moreira serves as the vice-director of the IBMC, one of the founder institutes of i3S, contributing to the institution's leadership and strategic direction.