Maria Manuel Mota

A biologist internationally recognized as one of the scientists with the most knowledge about malaria, a disease she has been studying since 1995 , Maria Manuel Mota 's work has been crucial in understanding the mechanisms that the Plasmodium parasite follows in the human body, allowing the development of new prophylactic strategies to halt the progression of the disease.

She has received several scientific distinctions, including the Pessoa Prize in 2013 and the Pfizer Prize in 2017 , in addition to being decorated as a Commander of the Order of Infante D. Henrique in 2005.

She is a full professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon and CEO of the Gulbenkian Institute of Science.