Assist. Prof. Dr. Ana Figueiras , Faculty of Pharmacy/University of Coimbra , Portugal
Ana Rita Ramalho Figueiras is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Portugal, and a researcher at REQUIMTE/LAQV, focusing on Pharmaceutical Technology. She earned her PhD in Pharmaceutics from the University of Coimbra in 2009, specializing in drug delivery systems, particularly for cancer treatments. Throughout her career, Ana has worked on advancing the development of block copolymers and micellar systems for targeted drug delivery. With a strong academic background and international exposure, she has contributed significantly to the fields of pharmaceutics, drug formulation, and pharmaceutical sciences. Ana’s work has been recognized through various publications in top journals, and she is deeply involved in mentoring post-doctoral researchers. Her expertise and leadership in pharmaceutical research continue to influence the development of innovative therapies in the pharmaceutical field.
Publication Profile:
Orcid
Strengths for the Award:
Ana Rita Ramalho Figueiras is a highly accomplished researcher in pharmaceutical sciences, with extensive contributions to drug delivery systems, particularly focusing on micellar systems and polymeric micelles for cancer therapy. Her interdisciplinary work bridges pharmaceutics, chemistry, and biomedicine, showcasing her ability to innovate within drug delivery mechanisms for complex diseases. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Coimbra and an integrated member of the REQUIMTE/LAQV research group, she brings a wealth of academic and research leadership to her field.
Her innovative contributions have been recognized with various academic awards, including distinctions for oral communications and publications. Additionally, she has made substantial contributions to numerous collaborative research projects, focusing on the development of novel therapeutic strategies and drug delivery systems that target poorly soluble drugs, cancer therapies, and chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Areas for Improvement:
While Figueiras is a leading figure in the scientific community, expanding her outreach to a broader range of international research collaborations could further amplify her impact. Although her work on drug delivery systems has significant potential for clinical applications, there could be further focus on translating her findings from bench to bedside by collaborating with clinical researchers for clinical trials and regulatory studies. A stronger emphasis on commercialization of her research could also be beneficial for broader societal impact.
Education:
Ana Rita Ramalho Figueiras pursued her academic journey in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences, beginning at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She graduated with a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2002, followed by a PhD in Pharmaceutics at the same university in 2009. Her doctoral research was focused on enhancing drug solubility and permeability, with a specific focus on cyclodextrins and mucoadhesive polymers for buccal drug delivery. During her PhD, she gained international exposure by collaborating with the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and the University of Innsbruck, Austria. She is also registered as a member of the Ordem dos Farmacêuticos in Portugal since 2003. Ana’s educational foundation, combined with her interdisciplinary collaborations, has provided her with a robust understanding of pharmaceutical sciences and technologies, forming the cornerstone of her impactful career in academia and research.
Experience:
Ana Rita Ramalho Figueiras has been an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, since September 2014, where she is an integrated Ph.D. member in the Pharmaceutical Technology group of REQUIMTE/LAQV. Prior to this, she was an Invited Assistant Professor from 2013 to 2014, working closely with the Center of Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC/UC) and contributing as a collaborator in the Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS/UBI). Her academic roles involve teaching, mentoring students and postdoctoral fellows, and leading research projects on advanced drug delivery systems. She has also been involved in supervising several postdoctoral researchers, focusing on developing and characterizing polymeric micellar systems and controlled delivery systems for drugs like pilocarpine. Throughout her career, Ana has participated in various scientific projects, bringing valuable insights into the design of innovative drug delivery platforms with applications in cancer therapy and other medical conditions.
Awards and Honors:
Ana Rita Ramalho Figueiras has received several accolades for her research excellence and contributions to the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. In 2004, she was awarded a prestigious PhD fellowship by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), which enabled her to pursue her doctoral studies. In 2011, she received the Best Short Communication Award at the VI Annual CICS Symposium for her work on new therapeutic strategies for siRNA delivery. In 2012, she was honored with the Best Oral Communication Award for her research on Poloxamine-α-cyclodextrin supramolecular gels promoting osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. These awards underscore her commitment to scientific advancement, as she continues to lead innovative research in drug delivery systems, nanomedicine, and cancer therapy. Ana’s dedication to advancing pharmaceutics has also led her to mentor future generations of researchers, further solidifying her reputation as a leading academic in her field.
Research Focus:
Ana Rita Ramalho Figueiras focuses her research on developing advanced drug delivery systems, specifically in the context of cancer therapies. Her primary research interest lies in utilizing block copolymers and micellar systems for targeted and controlled drug release. This includes the formulation of poorly water-soluble drugs, improving their bioavailability, and creating novel pharmaceutical formulations for effective treatment. Ana is particularly interested in the development of polymeric micelles for the delivery of therapeutic agents, including drugs and genes, to treat various diseases, with a strong emphasis on oncology. Additionally, her research investigates the use of mucoadhesive polymers for drug delivery to mucosal surfaces. With a commitment to improving drug efficacy and reducing side effects, her work aims to enhance patient outcomes through innovative drug formulations. Ana is also involved in several projects that explore natural compounds and their potential for pharmaceutical applications, further contributing to advancements in the drug delivery and pharmaceutical fields.
Publications Top Notes:
- “Unraveling Rosmarinic Acid Anticancer Mechanisms in Oral Cancer Malignant Transformation” 🎗️🦷
- “Regulation and Safety of Cosmetics: Pre- and Post-Market Considerations for Adverse Events and Environmental Impacts” 💄⚖️
- “The Many Faces of Cyclodextrins within Self-Assembling Polymer Nanovehicles: From Inclusion Complexes to Valuable Structural and Functional Elements” 🔬🧪
- “Development and Characterization of Curcumin-Loaded TPGS/F127/P123 Polymeric Micelles as a Potential Therapy for Colorectal Cancer” 🍂⚕️
- “Pulmonary Delivery of Bacterial Lysates Mediated by Locust Bean Gum Microparticles” 🌬️🦠
- “Non-Toxic Mucoadhesive Locust Bean Gum Microparticles for Delivery of Bacterial Lysates to Prevent Respiratory Diseases” 🌱🫁
- “Polymersomes as the Next Attractive Generation of Drug Delivery Systems: Definition, Synthesis and Applications” 🧫💊
- “Nanotheranostics: The Afterglow for Cancer Immunotherapy” 💡💉
- “Acanthus Mollis Formulations for Transdermal Delivery: From Hydrogels to Emulsions” 🌿💧
- “A Review of the Application of Ganoderma Lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst. in Nanotechnology for the Treatment of Cancer” 🍄💻
Conclusion:
Ana Figueiras’ expertise in pharmaceutical technology, particularly in the development of polymeric micelles for drug delivery, marks her as an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. She is an exemplary figure in the realm of pharmaceutics with a strong research focus on improving drug therapies for cancer and other severe diseases. Her work continues to advance drug delivery systems, paving the way for future medical breakthroughs. Figueiras demonstrates a strong foundation in academic excellence, research innovation, and collaboration, positioning her as a leader in her field.