Paula Alves is the CEO of iBET and Professor of Bioengineering at NOVA University of Lisbon. She is a Biochemist (FCUL) with a PhD in Biochemical Engineering (ITQB NOVA). Paula did her Habilitation in Bioengineering (ITQB NOVA) and holds an Advanced Management Program (AMP) Degree from Harvard Business School.

Working in Animal Cell Technology since 1990, her research focus on the development bioprocesses for the production of biologics, vaccines and gene and cell-based therapy products.

Paula was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering (USA) in 2021 for her leadership in biomanufacturing, advanced biotherapeutics, and bridging the gap between academia and industry.

She received the Scientific Merit Award from NOVA Univ of Lisbon in 2009, the Gold Medal of Merit from Oeiras Municipality in 2021, the ECI Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies Award in 2024, the ESACT Medal in 2024 and the APIFARMA Merit Personality Award in 2024. She served as President of the ESACT (2017-2022) and is a Member of the Portuguese Academy of Engineering since 2024. Was recognized in 2017 as one of the 100 Top Portuguese Women Scientists by Ciência Viva.

She has published over 350 papers, 32 book chapters, and has supervised over 40 PhD students and 20 post-docs.