Open to opportunities

Mariana Amaral

@marianaamaral

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PhD-trained biomedical researcher transitioning to industry.

Portugal

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What I'm looking for

I seek a role applying biomedical research and data science to clinical data or pharmacovigilance in a collaborative, patient-focused pharmaceutical or healthcare team, with growth opportunities.

I am a PhD fellow in Pharmacy with a strong background in biomedical research, nanomedicine and drug delivery, complemented by recent data science training (IBM Professional Certificate, Coursera). I combine hands-on laboratory expertise, experimental design, statistical analysis and scientific communication with experience publishing peer-reviewed articles and presenting at conferences.

I am motivated to apply my scientific rigor and data analytics skills to clinical data science or pharmacovigilance roles in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, bringing project management, cross-disciplinary collaboration and a data-driven approach to improve patient outcomes.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

PhD Fellow

Current

iMed.ULisboa

Dec 2021 - Present (3 years 9 months)

Conducted doctoral research in pharmaceutical technology developing and characterizing nanosystems for targeted cancer therapy, supervised students, and delivered invited lectures; produced multiple peer-reviewed publications and secured research awards.

Nanomedicine Cell Culture Experimental Design Data Analysis Scientific Writing Project Management

Teaching Assistant

Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa

Feb 2025 - Jul 2025 (5 months)

Supported practical and laboratory classes for Pharmaceutical Technology I, supervising students and assisting with curriculum delivery and assessment during Feb–Jul 2025.

Assessments Communication

Research Intern

Champalimaud Foundation

Jul 2021 - Jul 2021 (0 months)

Completed a research internship in experimental oncology and nanosystems under Dr. Rita Fior in Jul 2021, contributing to lab experiments and data analysis.

Lab Data Analysis Cell Culture Collaboration

Research Intern

iMed.ULisboa

Oct 2019 - Jun 2021 (1 year 8 months)

Conducted research at the ATDD Lab focusing on pharmaceutics and nanosystems from Oct 2019 to Jun 2021, supporting experiments and data interpretation.

Nanoparticle Characterization Data Analysis Experimental Design

Laboratory Trainee

Utrecht University

May 2019 - May 2019 (0 months)

Completed a laboratory rotation in the Pharmaceutics Department in May 2019, gaining hands-on experience in formulation and characterization techniques.

Laboratory Trainee

Sea4Us

Feb 2019 - Feb 2019 (0 months)

Undertook a laboratory rotation in Feb 2019 contributing to research projects and experimental work under senior researchers.

Data Collection Collaboration Experimental Execution

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa

Doctor of Philosophy, Pharmaceutical Technology

2021 -

Activities and societies: FCT PhD Fellowship; lecturing and student co-supervision; research and publications.

PhD in Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Technology specialization) with research on personalized and minimally invasive treatment for head and neck cancer; thesis to be submitted Nov 2025.

Coursera (IBM Professional Certificate in Data Science)

Professional Certificate, Data Science

2025 - 2025

Completed the IBM Professional Certificate in Data Science covering Python, SQL, machine learning, and data analysis.

NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa

Master of Science, Biomedical Research (Oncobiology)

2018 - 2021

Activities and societies: Awarded 1st Prize at AIMS Meeting 2021 research competition; thesis and research methods training.

Master of Science in Biomedical Research (Oncobiology specialization) focusing on non-invasive elimination of superficial tumors.

Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa

Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences

2015 - 2018

Activities and societies: Undergraduate research project on nanoparticle drug delivery.

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences including coursework in bioinformatics and biostatistics and a research project on doxorubicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles.