Paula Alves is the CEO of iBET and Professor of Bioengineering at ITQB NOVA University of Lisbon. She received her Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering from ITQB NOVA, her B.Sc. in Biochemistry from University of Lisbon and obtained her Habilitation in Bioengineering in 2024. She holds an Advanced Management Program (AMP) Degree from Harvard Business School (2025) and did a sabbatical at Prof D. Wang Lab at MIT (2009). Paula has been working in the advancement of cell culture technologies for more than 30 years. Her research integrates cell metabolism understanding with biochemical engineering tools for the improvement of bioprocesses efficiency. Paula´s work has contributed for the development of industrially relevant and academically recognized tools and technologies for production of biopharmaceuticals and ATMPs (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) in particular pluripotent stem cells and viral vectors for cell and gene therapy. Key contributions include also establishing 3D culture systems for expansion and differentiation of stem cells in bioreactors for cell therapy and as tools for drug development, pre-clinical research and developing bioanalyticals for bioprocess understanding and cell- and viral-based products characterization. Paula was elected member of the National Academy of Engineering (USA) in 2021, for her leadership in biomanufacturing, advanced iotherapeutics, and bridging the gap between academia and industry, and of the Portuguese Academy of Engineering in 2024. She has published more than 350 articles and the 40 PhD students, plus masters and postdocs, she supervised contributed to Paula´s exciting research career. Paula´s work has been recognized with major distinctions, including the Scientific Merit Award of NOVA University of Lisbon (2009), the Gold Medal of Oeiras (PT) (2021), the Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies Award of Excellence (USA) (2024), the 2024 Personality of Merit by Apifarma (PT) and the ESACT Medal (2024). Paula currently serves on several International Scientific and Advisory Committees and at the European Commission, she has served on the IMI and EURL-ECVAM Scientific Advisory Committees, as well as the Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge Advisory Board.