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RICARDO TOTOVAO

@ricardototovao

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R&D scientist specializing in nanotechnology for pharmaceutical formulations.

Canada

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What I'm looking for

I seek R&D roles in pharma/biomedical teams where I can lead nanotechnology-based formulation projects, contribute to CMC and scale-up, work in collaborative multicultural environments, and help advance preclinical therapies toward better human health.

I am an R&D scientist with nine years of international experience developing nanotechnology-based excipients and silica nanomaterials for pharmaceutical and biomedical formulations. I hold a Ph.D. in chemical sciences and have worked across academic and industry settings in multidisciplinary, multicultural teams.

My work focuses on chemotherapy and preclinical drug formulation, nanomaterials engineering, and the scale-up and reproducibility of manufacturing processes, including adaptation to semi-GMP and semi-GLP conditions.

I have led transversal research projects from proposal to completion, contributed to CMC procedures, and supported production of sterile, endotoxin-free preclinical batches while emphasizing critical quality attributes (CQAs).

I communicate results through reports, publications and presentations, mentor students, and bring strong expertise in silica chemistry, materials characterisation, and project management tools and methodologies to teams aiming to improve human health.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

R&D Scientist

Pharma in Silica Inc.

Nov 2024 - Jul 2025 (8 months)

Developed silica nanoparticle drug delivery systems for preclinical chemotherapy, scaled manufacturing processes to semi-GMP/GLP conditions and produced sterile/endotoxin-reduced preclinical batches while ensuring CQAs and reproducible results.

CMC Scaling Project Management

R&D Scientist (Postdoc)

Université Laval

Mar 2022 - Oct 2024 (2 years 7 months)

Led nanotechnology R&D projects on silica nanomaterials for drug delivery in a multicultural team, proposing new DDS prototypes and adapting manufacturing processes to meet preclinical requirements and CQAs.

Drug Delivery CMC Nanomaterials Characterization Project Management

Consultant in Nanotechnology

Qfluidics

Apr 2021 - Feb 2022 (10 months)

Provided remote consultancy on nanotechnology applications for pharmaceutical and biomedical clients, advising on formulation strategies and characterization approaches for preclinical development.

Nanotechnology Consulting Client Communication Project Scoping Remote Collaboration

Scientific Collaborator

IIT Genova

May 2018 - May 2020 (2 years)

Managed transversal projects developing nanotechnology-based multimodal medical device formulations (magneto-/photo-/radio-therapies), improved colloidal stability and characterized materials, contributing to publications.

Porous Silica Characterization (SEM TEM)Project Management

PhD Researcher

ISIS-CNRS / Université de Strasbourg

Sep 2013 - May 2017 (3 years 8 months)

Conducted doctoral research on nanosilica formulations for chemotherapy and immunotherapy, engineering biodegradable and stimuli-responsive hybrid nanomaterials and supervising students while publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.

Nanosilica Synthesis FTIR TEM Biocompatibility Supervision Scientific Writing

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Université de Strasbourg

Doctor of Philosophy, Chemical Sciences

2013 - 2017

Activities and societies: Thesis research at ISIS-CNRS; supervised students; publications and presentations at international conferences.

Ph.D. in chemical sciences focused on organic and nanomaterials (nanosilica) chemistry with research on nanotechnology-based formulations for chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Université de Strasbourg

Master of Science, Molecular & Supramolecular Chemistry

2011 - 2013

Activities and societies: Work placements and laboratory training in synthesis and characterization.

Master of Science in molecular and supramolecular chemistry with theoretical and practical training in organic, organometallic and materials syntheses.