Paula Alves recognized for her pioneering work in cell technologies
Oeiras, 22 August 2024
Paula Alves, Principal Investigator at ITQB NOVA, CEO of iBET, and Professor at Universidade Nova de Lisboa, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Cell Therapies Award. This biennial prize, presented at the ECI Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapy Conference, recognizes the researcher’s outstanding contributions to the advancement and commercialization of cell-based therapies.
The researcher’s contributions include the development of 3D culture systems for the expansion and differentiation of stem cells in bioreactors, with applications in cell therapy, drug development, and pre-clinical research. Paula Alves also advanced the understanding of the interplay between cell metabolism and stem cell differentiation, identified key factors in the "Cell Density Effect" to enhance viral vector yields by manipulating host cell energy metabolism, and developed bioanalytical tools for bioprocess understanding and characterization of cell- and viral-based products.
This recognition places Paula Alves among an esteemed group of past recipients, including Bob Nerem, Kim Warren, Peter Zandstra, and Greg Russotti.
In addition to the Cell Therapies Award, Paula Alves was also honored with a Medal from the European Society for Animal Cell Technology (ESACT). This medal acknowledges her long-standing support of the organization and her instrumental contributions to the field.
Having participated in ESACT meetings since 1991, the researcher was elected to the ESACT Executive Committee in 2005. Over the years, she has served as a regular member, secretary, vice-chairperson, and chairperson, playing a crucial role in establishing ESACT's legal statutes, developing its website, and shaping its communication strategy. Alongside Francesc (Quico) Godia from UAB-Spain, Paula Alves launched the ESACT course series in 2011. She was also the Chair of ESACT2022 Conference in Lisbon and a member of the Scientific Committee of ESACT 2013, 2017 and 2024 meetings and of the Organizing Committee of ESACT 2015. The researcher continues to actively participate in meetings and courses organized by related societies, promoting ESACT activities, particularly in training young scientists in animal cell technology.
