Andreia Fernandes

Andreia Fernandes holds a BSc and MSc in Biochemistry from the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (2018). She has previously worked as a research fellow at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, and at the 3B’s Research Group – Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, where she gained experience in molecular and cellular biology, microbiology, and biomaterials development. She is currently finishing her PhD in Biotechnology at the School of Biotechnology, Portuguese Catholic University entitled “Immunomodulatory activity of β-glucans from natural derived sources”. Her research is focused on the extraction, chemical characterization, and biological evaluation of natural polysaccharides and other bioactive compounds with immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. She recently joined the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto as a research fellow in the project “3Rs - Regenerar, Reformular e Reinventar: culturas esquecidas para alimentos saudáveis e sustentáveis”, where she contributed to the valorization of underexplored natural resources for sustainable biotechnological and nutritional applications.