Dr. Carina Crucho is a researcher in IN-CQFM and IBB in Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Portugal. She graduated in Applied Chemistry at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of New University of Lisbon in 2007 and took a M.Sc. in Bioorganic Chemistry in the same University. In 2015, she obtained her PhD degree in chemistry where the work she developed on polymeric nanoparticles for biomedical applications was recognized with the Portuguese Young Chemists Award (PYCA). Recently, she was awarded with the L’Oréal Award for Women in Science, a prize that supports and acknowledges outstanding young women at the beginning of their research career.
Her scientific focus is currently on bacterial infections and the rapid emergence of resistant bacteria that is occurring worldwide. Specially, Carina is developing stimuli-responsive silica nanoparticles that are expected to mark a breakthrough in the field of antibiotic targeting and delivery.
Next to her research, Carina served as a teaching assistant at the Institute of Health Sciences, Egas Moniz in 2009. Currently, she is also teaching practical organic chemistry at Lisbon School of Health Technology, integrated in the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon.
Dr. Carina Crucho also believes in the importance of disseminating science to the public through outreach activities, and to this end she has published a popular science article in the magazine Química SPQ highlighting the use of ‘deadly’ organic compounds in Agatha Christie novels. She was also member of the organizing committee of the 6th Portuguese Young Chemists Meeting and participates on events such as the European Researcher’s Night 2018 and Chemistry Open Days. In addition, Carina Crucho is now part of the Young Chemists Group (GQJ) of the Portuguese Chemical Society (SPQ), which promotes networks within the young chemists in Portuguese research centres and represents the Portuguese young chemists in international affairs.
