Ana Sofia Sousa holds a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2018) from the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto. Since 2019, she has been a researcher at the Bioactives and Bioproducts Research Laboratory (CBQF), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, contributing to national and European research projects focused on the valorization of bioactive compounds for health applications, including MicroBioExtract and GastroCure. Since March 2022, she has been pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology at Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, in collaboration with i3S/Ipatimup – University of Porto, supported by an individual PhD fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT). She is currently a researcher in the gBiOT project (FCT, Ref. 2022.02926.PTDC), where she develops polymeric biocatalytic nanobots for the targeted treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, integrating nanotechnology, bioactive compounds, gut microbiota modulation and advanced in vitro intestinal models.
Alongside her scientific research, Ana Sofia has actively pursued training in innovation and entrepreneurship through international programs promoted by the EIT HEI Initiative and EIT Food, including the Deep Tech Innovators – International Advanced Course (10 ECTS) and the Biotech & Agrifood Business – Online Course (12 h). She has also been actively involved in science-based entrepreneurship through the BioUpCycle project, a circular bioeconomy initiative focused on the valorization of agri-food by-products, which received the YouAreIn Business Game 2025 award and the EWA Portugal 2025 Visibility Pack. These experiences have strengthened her expertise in technology transfer, business development and the translation of scientific research into innovative health solutions.
Her main research interests include gastrointestinal health, gut microbiota, nanomedicine, biotechnology, biomaterials, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical innovation, circular bioeconomy, and technology transfer.