Sandra Borges holds a PhD in Biotechnology (awarded in 2013) and has research experience in agricultural biotechnology, food innovation and biomedical applications. Her scientific expertise is centred on the valorisation of insect and animal by-products through enzymatic hydrolysis, aiming at the development of bioactive and functional ingredients (such as peptides, lipids and chitosan) for use in food, feed and biomedical sectors.

She has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications indexed in SCOPUS, including 5 focused on edible insects, accumulating over 1400 citations and an h-index of 19. Her academic track record is complemented by participation in 10 national and international R&D projects, leading to 3 patents (1 granted), 7 scientific awards and strong collaboration with the industrial sector. She has been a Guest Editor for the journals Foods, Microorganisms and Insects, and frequently contributes to scientific dissemination, having presented over 60 communications (oral and poster presentations) and given 6 invited lectures related to value-added ingredients.

Sandra Borges has supervised or co-supervised more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students, including 4 master's students and 2 PhD students linked to non-academic institutions. Her translational research profile includes co-founding a startup (Blendera) and working in the high-tech biotech industry (Amyris, USA). Currently, she is a senior researcher at Centro de Biotecnologia Química e Fina (CBQF), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, where she integrates the Bioactives and Bioproducts research group.