Research Team

Molecular Biomaterials group

The Molecular Biomaterials group led by the ERA Chair Holder Helena Azevedo, is interested in developing precision medicine technologies, based on molecular bionanomaterials, to underpin research in cancer, infection, neurodegenerative diseases and tissue repair/regeneration. Know more

Helena Azevedo

Group Leader

Helena Azevedo

Group Leader

Helena Azevedo is the ERA Chair Holder of MOBILIsE and the group leader of the Molecular Biomaterials research group at INEB/i3S.

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Carla Cunha

Assistant Researcher

Carla Cunha

Assistant Researcher

Carla Cunha is an Assistant Researcher in the Molecular Biomaterials research group at INEB/i3S. Her research focuses on the development of bioengineered therapies for the intervertebral disc. Carla holds a PhD in Biology by the University of Porto, Portugal.

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Carlos Redondo

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow

Carlos Redondo

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow

Carlos Redondo is a Junior Researcher in the Molecular Biomaterials research group at INEB/i3S. His research focuses on the development of responsive nanobiomaterials based on self-assembling peptides for targeted diagnosis/therapies. Carlos holds a PhD in Medical Engineering by Queen Mary University of London (UK).

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Joana Silva

Junior Researcher

Joana Silva

Junior Researcher

Joana Silva is a Junior Researcher in the Molecular Biomaterials research group at INEB/i3S. Her research focusses on the development of supramolecular hydrogels combining peptides and natural polymers for different applications, such as cell culture, in vitro 3D models and regenerative medicine. Joana holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry by the University of Manchester (UK).

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Karen Galle

Research Fellow

Karen Galle

Research Fellow

Karen Galle is a Research fellow in the Molecular Biomaterials research group at i3S. Her research focusses on the culture of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) on different substrates and on the assessment of their effect on the barrier functions. Karen holds an MSc in Applications of Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology by the University of Porto, Portugal.

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Monica Scaranari

Research Technician

Monica Scaranari

Research Technician

Monica Scaranari is a Research Technician in the Molecular Biomaterials research group at INEB/i3S. She has extensive experience as a Research Technician in both academic, clinical, and industrial settings. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the lab and provides training on the use of lab equipment.

Raushan Kumar

Research Technician

Raushan Kumar

Research Technician

Raushan Kumar is a Research Technician in the Molecular Biomaterials research group at INEB/i3S. His research focusses on the development of new peptide-based antimicrobial formulations for applications in the treatment of bacterial infections. Raushan holds an MSc in Organic Chemistry from the IISER Kolkata, India.

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Rui Pereira

Assistant researcher

Rui Pereira

Assistant researcher

Rui Pereira is an Assistant Researcher in the Molecular Biomaterials research group at INEB/i3S. His research focusses on the development of blood-brain barrier models based on peptide/hyaluronic acid membranes to verify structural and functional properties under physiological and cancer conditions. Rui holds a European PhD in Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells by the University of Minho (Portugal) and the University of Genova (Italy).

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Sara Silva

Postdoctoral Researcher

Sara Silva

Postdoctoral Researcher

Sara Silva is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Molecular Biomaterials research group at i3S. Her research focusses on the development of blood-brain barrier microvasculature network based on self-assembly peptides/hyaluronic acid through molecular engineering and 3D printing technologies. Sara holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences by the University of Porto, Portugal.

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Vijay Kumar Pal

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow

Vijay Kumar Pal

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow

Vijay Kumar Pal is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow in the Molecular Biomaterials research group at i3s. His research work focusses on exploiting the enzymatic landscape in the tumour microenvironment to boost the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies via molecularly engineered peptide nanomaterials. Vijay holds a PhD in Supramolecular Chemistry from INST-IISER Mohali, India.

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Alexandre Gil

MSc student

Alexandre Gil

MSc student

Alexandre Gil is an MSc Student in the Molecular Biomaterials research group at i3S. His research work focusses on studying and characterising the ability of bare and functionalised nanoparticles as systems to cross the Blood-Brain Barrier to tackle Alzheimer’s Disease. Alexandre holds a BSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology and is currently undertaking an MSc in Biomaterials and NanoMedicine, both by Nova School of Science and Technology, Portugal.

Tiago Dias

Research Trainee

Tiago Dias

Research Trainee

Tiago Dias is a Research Trainee at the Molecular Biomaterials research group at i3S. His research focusses on the in vitro recreation of the blood-brain barrier through supramolecular membrane system optimisation. Tiago is currently finishing his BSc in Biology at the University of Porto, Portugal.

Alumni

Bernardo Tavares, Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal

Diego Mendez, Bioengineering student at Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Spain

Pedro Brandão, Assistant Professor at Egas Moniz Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Portugal