My name is Carina Crucho. I’m a 40-year-old Assistant Researcher at NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon (Caparica, Portugal). I’m an organic chemist driven by curiosity and creativity, working at the interface of chemistry and biology. My research focuses on the design and development of nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

I approach science with both rigor and imagination, and I’m equally passionate about research and teaching. My dedication has been recognized through several national and international honors, including the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award, the Fulbright Research Grant, the CAS Future Leaders Program, and the International Visitor Leadership Program administered by the U.S. Department of State.

In 2019, I was also selected for the prestigious Stanford University list of the top 2% most influential scientists based on single-year scientific impact, highlighting my contributions to advancing knowledge in my field.