Researchers from the Faculty of Biotechnology honoured in the book "Women in Science"

Researchers Célia Manaia, Marta Vasconcelos and Paula Teixeira, from the Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) of the School of Biotechnology of the Portuguese Catholic University, are part of the book "Women in Science" 2023, an initiative of Ciência Viva - National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture. "From Biology to Mathematics, from Chemistry to Social Sciences, from Physics to Archaeology, from Neurosciences to Geography, from Engineering to History, from Space Sciences to Philosophy", this book, which is already in its fourth edition, includes 101 Portuguese women scientists from different areas of knowledge.

Célia Manaia, microbiologist, Marta Vasconcelos, biologist and Paula Teixeira, food engineer have in common a passion for research and the institution where they carry it out: the Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry Centre of the School of Biotechnology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa. In her text, Célia Manaia highlights "Science has the double effect of fascinating me and making me feel tiny! For me, doing research is to question, to experiment and to communicate. Between the fun, the persistence and some resilience, there is also the sense of duty of integrity, of making known what is relevant, of inspiring younger people."

Marta Vasconcelos defines herself as "passionate about science: about creating questions, designing projects and bringing together teams that answer them, and sharing the solutions with society. At the moment, she works "at the interface between plant biology and human nutrition. In particular, I try to understand the impact of climate change on the nutritional content and productivity of plant-based foods." The biologist also indicates that she has been "lucky enough to be able to work in what I am passionate about and what makes me happy. My career choices have been made naturally, and they do not always follow more conventional definitions of what it is to be successful. Being a scientist should always go far beyond gender issues, but it is always good to see our work inspire other girls, young women, to follow their dreams, and to know how to balance the different dimensions of their lives."

Paula Teixeira mentions in her text that she finds it difficult to imagine any other career than teaching and research in microbiology and food safety. "It is a privilege to be able to learn and teach, to share the passion for knowledge and to spread enthusiasm, to awaken talents, to accompany the growth of students and to contribute to the health and well-being of society, without neglecting family life." On her inclusion in the book, she feels honoured to "be part of a group that includes Women whose journey has been a source of inspiration to me and Women to whom I will have passed on some of my enthusiasm for the work I do and perhaps even inspired. It is with great pride that I see my work recognized and I thank Ciência Viva for this recognition. But my work is also the work of All those who have accompanied me in this personal and professional journey, and to whom this recognition is deservedly extended. I must thank the institution that has provided the conditions for my work, the School of Biotechnology of the Universidade Católica Portuguese and the CBQF, its research centre.

The book was presented last Wednesday, March 8th, at the Pavilion of Knowledge, in Lisbon, and counted with the interventions of Elvira Fortunato, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Isabel Ferreira, researcher and current Secretary of State for Regional Development, Rosália Vargas, president of Ciência Viva, José Luís Cardoso, president of the Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, among other members present. The book brings together testimonies from different generations and areas of knowledge, portrayed by photographers Alípio Padilha, Ana Brígida, Diana Tinoco and Rodrigo Cabrita.

Women scientists currently represent more than 50% of the total number of researchers in Portugal and their role has been crucial in the progress of national science and technology.

Download book “Mulheres na Ciência” (2023).

Also read the news about Dia Internacional das Mulheres e Raparigas na Ciência.