José António Gomes Couto is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Biotechnology of the Portuguese Catholic University (ESB-UCP) and Researcher of CBQF (Fine Chemistry and Biotechnology Centre) (State AssociatedLaboratory) (2006 to present). He earned his PhD degree in Biotechnology (Microbiology) from the Portuguese Catholic University, Portugal, in 1996; the curricular part of the MSc on Food Science and Engineering from the Portuguese Catholic University, Portugal, in 1991 and his B.Sc. degree in Biology (Scientific-Technological branch) from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Portugal, in 1988. He was coordinator of the Inovation and Technology Center of the College of Biotechnology Industry Association (AESBUC) and Assessor for this same institution (1998-2005). His research interests are focused on: (i) Food science and microbiology (ii) Diversity, taxonomy and physiology of wine microorganisms; (iii) Microbial growth/survival in wine and impact on wine quality; (iv) Interaction of wine microorganisms with wine compounds. He published 35 papers on these and related topics in refereed international journals (70% Q1 + 30% Q2), 4 book chapters and has participated in several international and national symposia/congresses, professional meetings and outreach and dissemination activities (around 130 posters+oral presentations+conference papers). Supervised 4 PhD theses (3 as co-superviser) and 32 MSc dissertations (8 as co-superviser). He coordinated 9 and contributed toother 17 externally funded (national and international funds) research and development projects. He coordinates(ed) academic teaching programmes, namely graduate degrees: Master degree in Applied Microbiology (ESB-UCP), 2007-2021; Master degree in Wine Science and Technology (ESB-UCP), 2010-2012; Doctoral Program in Enology and Viticulture (ESB-UCP and UTAD), 2014-2020; Post-graduate program onEnology (ESB-UCP), 2017 to present.