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Porous silicon, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology, Biomaterials, Drug delivery, Theranostics, In vivo and In vitro

Biography

Dr. Hélder A. Santos (https://research.rug.nl/en/persons/helder-almeida-santos) is a physical chemist specialized in electrochemistry, biological mimetic models and soft interfaces. In 2003, he obtained his MSc in Chemistry from the Department of Chemistry, University of Porto (Portugal). In 2007, he obtained his DSc in Chem. Eng. from the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Helsinki University of Technology (Finland, now named Aalto University). In 2007, Dr. Santos joined the University of Helsinki, Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, as a Postdoctoral Fellow and later Academy of Finland Post-doc. In 2019 he was appointed Associate Professor and in June 2020, he was appointed Full Professor in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology until Sept. 2021.
Currently, he is a Full Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Head of Department of Biomedical Engineering at The University Medical Center Groningen/University of Groningen, The Netherlands. Also, he is a Group Leader/Research Director and the Head of the Nanomedicines and Biomedical Engineering Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki. In 2013, Dr. Santos received the ERC starting grant for 2013-2017 worth of 1.5 M€.
Dr. Santos' research is focused on nanobiomaterials, including nanoporous silica/silicon materials, liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery, diagnostics and therapy (http://www.helsinki.fi/~hsantos/research.htm). He is the author/co-author of +450 publications (+21000 citations, h-index = 86) and more than 254 conference proceedings/abstracts. He has supervised several undergraduate students and more than 50 MSc students. He supervised/co-supervised more than 30-PhD students, mentor more than 20 post-docs and is currently the supervisor of 4 MSc students, 12 PhD students and mentor of 7 post-doctoral researchers. He has also given more than 210 invited/selected talks in national/international meetings/conferences/lectures. In 2010, he received the "Talent Prize in Science" awarded by the Portuguese Government (TV-broadcasted for more than 15 million people), in 2013 and 2014 he received the Young Researcher Award 2013 and was distinguished by the exceptional scientific productivity, respectively, by the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Helsinki, and in 2016 he was awarded the Academy of Finland Award for Social Impact. He has several national and international research collaborations in the areas of biomedical nano/micro-technology, controlled drug delivery, nanomedicine and cancer therapy, and innovative therapeutic modalities. He has acted as invited Guest Editor for several international journals. He is also an active referee for more than 85 international journals and evaluator for more than 14 international research foundations. Dr. Santos is also an Editorial Board Member for the journals of Drug Delivery Letters, Biomatter, International Journal of Nanotechnology and Nanoscience, World Journal of Pharmacology, and Journal of Biopharmaceutics and Biotechnology. He is also the Editor of a recently launched Mesoporous Biomaterials journal, Editor of BioMed Research International Journal, Academic Editor of PLOS ONE, and an Editor of a book entitled "Porous Silicon for Biomedical Applications" (Elsevier). Dr. Santos’ research career and development portfolio since 2009 totals over 10M€ (European Research Council, H2020-MSCA-ITN-EJD, Academy of Finland, Tekes/Business Finland, CIMO, Biocentrum Helsinki, Finish Cultural Foundation, University of Helsinki Research Funds, etc.).
Curriculum Vitae (Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki)
- Full Professor (1.9.2021 ->)
- Visiting Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China (2021–2023)
- Visiting Professor, University of Tartu, Estonia (2021–2022)
- Visiting Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Italy (2020–2021)
- Visiting Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, Università degli studi “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy (2019–2020)
- Co-founder and Chairman of Capsamedix Oy start-up company (2019–current)
- Head of Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, (2018-2021)
- Director of the Doctoral Programme in Drug Research, (2018-2021)
- Director of the FinPharmaNet (2020-2022)
- Head of the Preclinical Drug Formulation and Analysis group, (2016-2019).
- Head of the Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Chemical Microsystems (NAMI) Research Unit, (1.1.2014 -31.12.2017)
- ERC PoC grant for 1.1.2019-30.6.2020 worth of 1.5 M€
- ERC starting grant for 1.1.2013-31.12.2017 worth of 1.5 M€
- 2016 Academy of Finland Award for Social Impact
- Reward by the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, as a result of Dr. Santos exceptionally productive research work in 2014 (> 30 publications)!
- Young Researcher's Award 2013 by the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki.
- Nominated and Winner of the Talent Prize in Science (23.7.2010) attributed by the Portuguese Government.

Activities

Employment (20)

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

Employment
Source: check_circle
University of Helsinki

Faculteit Medische Wetenschappen/UMCG: Groningen, NL

2024-07-01 to present | Scientific Staff (Nanotechnology and Biophysics in Medicine (NANOBIOMED))
Employment
Source: check_circle
University of Groningen

University of Groningen: Groningen, Groningen, NL

2021-09-01 to present | Full Professor in Biomedical Engineering (https://www.rug.nl/research/biomaterials/research/researchdirections/research-biomedical-engineering)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

University Medical Center Groningen: Groningen, Groningen, NL

2021-09-01 to present | Head of Department of Biomedical Engineering (Biomedical Engineering)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine: Shanghai, CN

2020-12 to present | Visiting Professor
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

2018-01-01 to present | Director Doctoral Programme in Drug Research (Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

2017-05 to present | Associate Professor (Faculty of Pharmacy)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Helsingin Yliopisto: Helsinki, FI

2011-09-11 to present | Adjunct Professor & Principal Investigator in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology (Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

University of Technology Sydney: Sydney, New South Wales, AU

2022-06 to 2026-06 | Visiting Professor
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

2021-09-01 to 2024-12-31 | Research Director (Faculty of Pharmacy)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

University of Tartu: Tartu, EE

2021-01 to 2023-12 | Visiting Professor
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

2020-06-01 to 2021-08-31 | Full Professor (Faculty of Pharmacy)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

2020-05-11 to 2021-07-31 | Director, FinPharmaNet (Faculty of Pharmacy)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Università degli Studi Gabriele d'Annunzio Chieti Pescara - Sede di Pescara: Pescara, Abruzzo, IT

2019-09 to 2020-08 | Visiting Professor (Pharmacy)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

2017-06-01 to 2020-05-31 | Associate Professor (Faculty of Pharmacy)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

University of Helsinki: Helsinki, FI

2018-01-01 to 2020-01-31 | Head (Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Helsingin Yliopisto: Helsinki, FI

2016-01-01 to 2019-12-31 | Head of Group: Preclinical Drug Formulation and Analysis (Faculty of Pharmacy)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Helsingin Yliopisto: Helsinki, FI

2014-01-01 to 2017-12-31 | Head of the Unit: Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Chemical Microsystems (NAMI) (Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Helsingin Yliopisto: Helsinki, FI

2011-09-01 to 2016-08-31 | Academy of Finland Research Fellow (Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Helsingin Yliopisto: Helsinki, FI

2007-04-01 to 2011-08-31 | Post-doc (Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Education and qualifications (2)

Aalto-yliopisto: Aalto, FI

2003-09-22 to 2007-10-30 | Doctor of Science (Technology), D.Sc. (Tech.) (School of Chemical Technology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Universidade do Porto: Porto, PT

1999-09 to 2003-07 | Degree in Chemistry (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Funding (17)

Bottom-up manufacturing of artificial anti-tumor T cells

2024-02 to 2029-01 | Grant
HORIZON EUROPE European Innovation Council (Brussels, BE)
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Application of Metal-organic frameworks synthesized by Microfluidics in Microextraction for Metabolomics: development of a non-invasive bioanalytical method for early diagnosis of fatty Liver diseases

2023-09 to 2025-08 | Grant
H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Brussels, BE)
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Targeting cancer with multi-engineered selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs): Development of a biocompatible nanocomposite for targeted gene therapy in BRAF-mutated resistant melanoma

2023-06 to 2025-05 | Grant
H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Brussels, BE)
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Perspectives For Future Innovation in Tendon Repair

2021-01 to 2024-12 | Grant
H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Brussels, BE)
GRANT_NUMBER: 955685
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Microneedle-assisted nanovector skin patch for immunomodulation of the inflammatory response upon occurrence of myocardial infarction injury (MiNeMi)

2020-11 to 2022-10 | Grant
H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Brussels, BE)
GRANT_NUMBER: 892758
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Robotic Magnetic Needle Characterization of Single Nanoparticle Uptake in Cells

Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Gene, Cell and Nano Therapy Competence Cluster for the Treatment of Chronic Diseases (GeneCellNano)

2020-07 to 2023-04 | Grant
Academy of Finland (Helsinki, Helsinki, FI)
GRANT_NUMBER: 337430
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Microneedles for drug delivery

Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Towards personalized nanomedicines for targeted drug delivery and imaging for ischemic myocardial injury

2018-09 to 2021-08 | Grant
Academy of Finland (Helsinki (Finland), FI)
GRANT_NUMBER: 317042
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

NANO CARRIER - Porous Silicon Nano particles will be produced and studied, in vitro and in vivo for cancer diagnostics, therapy and imaging.

2018-04 to 2019-12 | Grant
The Research Council of Norway ( Lysaker, NO)
GRANT_NUMBER: 281906
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Autonomous Microrobotics for Studying Cell-Particle Interactions and Responses

2017-01 to 2018-12 | Grant
Suomen Akatemia (Helsinki, FI)
GRANT_NUMBER: 304844
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

3i - Innovative Induction Initiative

2014-01 to 2016-12 | Grant
Tekes (Helsinki, FI)
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Biocentrum Helsinki Membership, University of Helsinki

2014-01 to 2016-12 | Grant
Biomedicum Helsinki-säätiö (Helsinki, FI)
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Starting Grant

2013-01 to 2017-12 | Grant
European Research Council (Brussels, BE)
GRANT_NUMBER: 310892
Source: check_circle
CIÊNCIAVITAE
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Supporting Research Grant - UH's Rector

2013-01 to 2017-12 | Award
University of Helsinki Research Funds (Helsinki, FI)
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Porous silicon nanodelivery systems for enhanced targeted cancer therapy

2011-09 to 2016-08 | Grant
Academy of Finland (Helsinki, FI)
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Biohybrid and biodegradable nanovaccines for cancer immunotherapy.

Grant
H2020 European Research Council (Brussels, BE)
GRANT_NUMBER: 825020
Source: Self-asserted source
Hélder A. Santos

Peer review (82 reviews for 35 publications/grants)

Review activity for ACS applied bio materials. (1)
Review activity for ACS applied materials & interfaces. (7)
Review activity for ACS applied nano materials. (1)
Review activity for ACS infectious diseases. (1)
Review activity for ACS nano. (16)
Review activity for ACS omega. (1)
Review activity for Acta biomaterialia. (1)
Review activity for Advanced drug delivery reviews. (1)
Review activity for Advanced functional materials. (7)
Review activity for Advanced healthcare materials (6)
Review activity for Advanced Materials Technologies (1)
Review activity for Advanced materials. (2)
Review activity for Advanced science. (3)
Review activity for Advanced therapeutics. (1)
Review activity for Angewandte Chemie. (1)
Review activity for Bioconjugate chemistry. (1)
Review activity for Biomacromolecules. (1)
Review activity for Biomicrofluidics. (1)
Review activity for Chemistry of materials. (1)
Review activity for Communications biology. (1)
Review activity for Drug delivery and translational research. (4)
Review activity for European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics. (1)
Review activity for Journal of controlled release. (1)
Review activity for Journal of drug delivery science and technology. (1)
Review activity for Langmuir : (1)
Review activity for Materials today chemistry. (1)
Review activity for Molecular pharmaceutics. (3)
Review activity for Nano letters. (4)
Review activity for Nano research. (1)
Review activity for Nature communications (3)
Review activity for Nature materials. (1)
Review activity for Nature nanotechnology (2)
Review activity for Nature reviews bioengineering. (1)
Review activity for OpenNano. (1)
Review activity for Small. (2)