Paula M. Alves is the CEO of iBET and Professor at NOVA University of Lisbon. She received her Ph.D. at Biochemical Engineering from NOVA and her B.S in Biochemistry from the University of Lisbon. Working in Animal Cell Technology since 1990, her research integrates cell metabolism understanding with biochemical engineering for the improvement of bioprocesses efficiency, also focusing on the development of new tools and technologies for pre-clinical research. Her key areas of interest include the production of biopharmaceuticals such as viral vectors and vaccines, and the development of 3D culture systems for expansion and differentiation of stem cells in bioreactors for cell therapy, regenerative medicine and in vitro toxicology applications.
Professor Paula Alves was elected member of the US National Academy of Engineering in 2021 and was the Chairperson of the ESACT (European Society for Animal Cell Technology) from 2017 to June 2022. She serves several international scientific advisory boards. At the European Commission was member of IMI and EURL-ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committee and of the Advisory Board of Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge. She has published over 280 papers, 32 book chapters and has supervised 35 PhD students, 18 post-docs and several master theses. In 2009 she received the Scientific Merit Award from NOVA University of Lisbon, in 2021 the Gold medal of Oeiras Town.
