Vedor, R.

Biography

Rita Vedor completed her BSc degree in Microbiology in 2020 by Escola Superior de Biotecnologia (ESB) - Universidade Católica Portuguesa. In September 2020, she enrolled in the master's in science in Applied Microbiology, in which she developed her master thesis entitled 'Incorporation of Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis BB-12® and Akkermansia muciniphila in chocolates'. The work developed in the scope of the thesis allowed the participation in three conferences, both national and international, having contributed with two posters and two oral presentations. During her master's degree, in the academic year 2020-2021, she participated in the project ApS - Service Learning: Learning about the Sustainable Development Goals of the Portuguese Catholic University, which aimed at learning and further dissemination of the topic. From April 2022 until November 2023 she was a researcher fellow at Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina - Universidade Católica Portuguesa, being hired by PROBIOCARE - Next generation probiotics as live biotherapeutics for oro-gastrointestinal infections (EXPL/BIA-MIC/0258/2021). As a research fellow, she participated in outreach activities of Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, including ESB Open Week and International Microorganism Day. For two years (2020-2022), she participated in the organization of 'Jornadas de Biotecnologia' of Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, serving in the pedagogical department both as an integral member (2020-2021) and coordinator (2021-2022). Additionally, the research work developed during her academic career gave rise to two invitations (2017-2018 and 2022-2023) by the organization of 'Jornadas de Biotecnologia' to participate as a speaker. In 2020, she started her path in the ESB Students' Association, having been invited to join the team as Coordinator of the Logistics Department. Later, she became President of the Student Association, having participated in several academic activities related to the position. Nowdays, Rita is a doctoral student at the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, enrolled in the PhD programme in Biotechnology, with a specialisation in Food Science and Engineering. In 2023, she was awarded a PhD scholarship by the FCT (2023.00447.BD). During the first year of her PhD, Rita participated in two conferences (national and international) and presented two posters and an oral communication. Throughout her PhD, Rita has participated in several science communication activities, such as 'Noite Europeia dos Investigadores', 'Semana Aberta' and 'Dia do Microrganismo'. In 2024, Rita enrolled in the Postgraduate Course in Nutrition, Psychology and Health at the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia (UCP). Furthermore, in 2023 she joined the volunteer program 'A'Corda', working as a volunteer with institutionalized children.