Team & Contacts
Meet the dedicated researchers and institutions driving the MAXBOV project forward.
Principal Investigator
Maria Susana Lopes
PhD Assistant Researcher (CBA-UAc)
Has extensive experience in animal and plant genetics, population genetics, and genomic selection. Has been involved in multiple research activities in molecular biology, particularly in the study of genetic relationships among Portuguese grapevines and other fruit trees, endemic plant species, and several animal species, including horses, donkeys, cattle, and dogs.
Has established a strong international collaboration network with researchers in animal and plant genomics, and her work has significantly contributed to the recognition of four Portuguese autochthonous breeds. Is a member of the Organ Responsible for Animal Welfare from the University of the Azores, of the Equine Genome Mapping Project and the Equine Genetic Diversity Consortium. Is responsible for the Stud-books of the Terceira Pony and the Graciosa Donkey.
Specializations:
- Animal and plant genetics
- Population genetics and genomic selection
- Molecular biology applied to genetic relationships in livestock and plants
- International collaboration in animal and plant genomics
Core Research Team
Artur da Câmara Machado
PhD Associated Professor (CBA-UAc)
Member of the Equine Genome Mapping Project and of the Equine Genetic Diversity Consortium, and President of the Organ Responsible for Animal Welfare. His scientific career focused on the area of agrarian sciences with an emphasis on plant breeding, animal diversity, and agrarian and food biotechnology. In the last 5 years, has been involved in multiple workpackages in the field of molecular biology, within the scope of autochthonous breeds preservation and animal and plant genetic selection/improvement.
Specializations:
- Animal diversity
- Plant and animal breeding and genetics
- Plant and animal biotechnology
- Preservation of autochthonous animal breeds
Ana Rita Azevedo
PhD Student (CBA-UAc)
Completed her master's degree in biomedical research, which resulted in a final dissertation entitled "Xenografting of bovine ovarian tissue as a model for testing new drugs and examining angiogenesis, follicle premature depletion and dynamics". Her main research areas are in the field of animal biotechnology, with a special interest in cryopreservation, animal tissue culture, molecular characterization of genetic resources and sustainability of agricultural resources in the region. She is currently developing her PhD project "Characterization of the gastrointestinal microbiome and assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from Catrinas (primitive population) and Holstein cows as a contribution to the sustainability of explorations on Terceira Island". She is responsible for the Stud-book of the Catrina cattle.
Specializations:
- Animal biotechnology
- Molecular characterisation of genetic resources
- Gastrointestinal microbiome characterisation in cattle
- Greenhouse gas emission assessment in ruminants
- Sustainability of agricultural resources
Paulo Aranha
DVM, PhD in Veterinary (Finançor)
Has extensive experience in improving dairy and beef farms in the Azores, in the production of compound feed for animals, chemical analysis of animal food and in the valorisation of products in food distribution. In recent years, has been studying the influence of toxins present in cattle plant feed and their correlation with animal well-being, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract.
Specializations:
- Dairy and beef farm improvement
- Compound feed production for animals
- Chemical analysis of animal feed
- Valorisation of animal-derived food products
Guilherme Silva
PhD and director of the Innovation and Development department at Finançor
Through his administrative duties, he has extensive experience in project management and dissemination. In recent years, he has collaborated with universities and other entities with the aim of developing new compound feeds for animals that improve the competitiveness of the sector, through the provision of test animals, field support, and characterisation of forage and food.
Specializations:
- Project management
- Research and innovation coordination
- Industry–academia collaboration
- Dissemination of research and innovation outcomes
Jorge Pimenta
DVM, PhD in Veterinary Sciences
Member of the project InovFeed, Innovative Feed Strategies for Sustainable Animal Production, CoLAB (collaborative laboratory), BovMais - Improved productivity in the beef cattle sector, OneHealth - European Joint Program (EJP) - Within the scope of the H2020 program, NEOVAC- Development of an experimental vaccine against neosporosis in cattle. His main research areas are in the fields of molecular biology, animal nutrition, epigenetics and gene expression analysis.
Specializations:
- Molecular biology
- Animal nutrition
- Epigenetics
- Gene expression analysis
Get in Touch
Project Contact
Location
TERINOV - Science & Technology Park on Terceira Island
Biotechnology Centre of the Azores – University of the Azores
9700-702 Angra do Heroísmo
Tel
(+351) 295 249 415/6/7
Institutional Channels
University of the Azores
www.uac.ptBiotechnology Centre of the Azores
www.cba.uac.ptFundação Gaspar Frutuoso
www.fgf.pt