Contact us

About

Mission, Values & Vision

ABC CoLAB Culture

Mission

Our mission is to shape innovative solutions that advance health and longevity by transforming scientific discoveries into valuable products and high-impact interventions for society.

Our Vision

To become a global leader in ageing and longevity by advancing science, technology, and medicine to ensure equitable access to improved health and well-being for all.

Our Values

Innovation with Purpose
Driving groundbreaking advancements that deliver meaningful solutions.

Collaboration for Impact
Building strong partnerships to foster transformative co-creations.

Integrative Approach
Adopting a holistic perspective to enhance quality of life.

Excellence and Integrity
Upholding the highest standards of research, accountability, and trust.

Digital and Data-Driven Transformation
Enabling personalized interventions and better decision-making in health and social care.

Inclusion, Sustainability, and Lifelong Well-being
Fostering community engagement, health literacy, social integration, and preventive care throughout life.

Meet our team

ABC CoLAB – Ageing Better boasts a multidisciplinary team dedicated to driving innovation and delivering impactful, evidence-based solutions that bridge the gap from research to real-world application.

Joana Apolónio
Joana Apolónio

President of the Board

Bibiana Ferreira
Bibiana Ferreira

Vice-President of the Board

Sara Ramos
Sara Ramos

Vice-President of the Board

Filomena Pereira
Filomena Pereira

Member of the Board

João Pinho
João Pinho

Member of the Board

Miguel Castelo-Branco
Miguel Castelo-Branco

Member of the Board

Nuno Leitão
Nuno Leitão

Member of the Board

Clévio Nóbrega
Clévio Nóbrega

President of the General Assembly

Mónica Fernandes
Mónica Fernandes

Secretary of the General Assembly

Juan Correia
Juan Correia

President of the Fiscal Council

Bernardo Teixeira
Bernardo Teixeira

Member of the Fiscal Council

Raul Fernandes
Raul Fernandes

Member of the Fiscal Council

Soraia Barão
Soraia Barão

CSO | CIO

Sabrina Jorge
Sabrina Jorge

Business Developer

Susana Apolónio
Susana Apolónio

Communications Manager

Andreia Ganhão
Andreia Ganhão

Financial Manager

Beatriz Afonso
Beatriz Afonso

Psychology

Célia Aveleira
Célia Aveleira

Ageing Biology

Cristina Pedro
Cristina Pedro

Wellness Tourism

David Brito
David Brito

Neuroscience

Filipa Esteves
Filipa Esteves

Disease Mechanisms

Helena Mocho
Helena Mocho

Psychology

Nádia Silva
Nádia Silva

Biomedicine

Ricardo Leitão
Ricardo Leitão

Neuroscience

Soraia Barão
Soraia Barão

Neuroscience

Tomas Ondrejcak
Tomas Ondrejcak

Data Science

André Gabriel
André Gabriel

Molecular Biology

Beatriz Martins
Beatriz Martins

Microbiology

Rebekah Koppenol
Rebekah Koppenol

Gene Therapy

Andreia Ganhão
Andreia Ganhão

Financial Manager

Carolina Silvestre
Carolina Silvestre

Human Resources Manager

Daniela Santos
Daniela Santos

Project Manager | Pre Award

David Correia
David Correia

Administrative Technician

Hugo Martins
Hugo Martins

Project Manager | Post Award

Sabrina Jorge
Sabrina Jorge

Business Developer

Susana Apolónio
Susana Apolónio

Communications Manager

Alexandra Matos
Alexandra Matos

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Anita Ferreira
Anita Ferreira

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Bernardo Estevam
Bernardo Estevam

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Candida Cardoso
Cândida Cardoso

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Daniel Pestana
Daniel Pestana

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Isabel Matos
Isabel Matos

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Joana Rodrigues
Joana Nobre Rodrigues

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Mariana Teixeira

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Vera Marques
Vera Marques

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Viktor Gala
Viktor Gala

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Xavier Jorge
Xavier Jorge

PhD Student | FCT Non-Academic Environment

Founding Partners

The ABC CoLAB is a unique triple helix innovation ecosystem that unites academia, business, government and citizens.

Academia

Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC)
iscte
ABC-Ri
CinTurs

Business

Vodafone
Algardata
Sea4usLogo
Garvetur
Premivalor

Government

cma
Loule

Partnerships

Regulation and Reports

Research Grant Regulations 2026

More Information
Soraia Barão

Soraia Barão

CSO | CIO
Neuroscience Researcher

PhD in Biomedical Sciences and expert in Neuroscience. Research focused on how cerebral cortex development shapes neuronal function and vulnerability.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Sabrina Jorge

Sabrina Jorge

Business Developer

Translational research & operations expert, connecting science and industry to drive cross-disciplinary innovation in longevity and healthcare.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Susana Apolónio

Susana Apolónio

Communications Manager

Communications Specialist with solid experience in project dissemination, event organization, and partnership development.

Linkedin
Andreia Ganhão

Andreia Ganhão

Financial Manager

Financial Manager with a background in accounting, tax and consulting, focused on organizational efficiency and financial sustainability.

Linkedin
Beatriz Afonso

Beatriz Afonso

Specialist in Psychology

Psychologist dedicated to health promotion, healthy ageing, and the development of solutions that foster healthier and more supportive workplaces.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Célia Aveleira

Célia Aveleira

Ageing Biology Researcher

PhD in Biomedical Sciences and expert in Ageing Biology. Research focused on cellular senescence and strategies to promote healthy ageing.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Cristina Pedro

Cristina Pedro

Wellness Tourism Researcher

PhD in Tourism, researcher and creator of Holisticscape, bridging science and spa expertise to advance wellness and longevity.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
David Brito

David Brito

Neuroscience Researcher

PhD in Biology, specializing in Neuroscience. His work investigates neurodegeneration in genetic disorders and aging to identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Filipa Esteves

Filipa Esteves

Disease Mechanisms Researcher

PhD in Mechanisms of Disease and Regenerative Medicine, researching genetics, molecular and computational biology, stem cells and neurodegeneration.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Helena Mocho

Helena Mocho

Specialist in Psychology

PhD in Psychology, committed to research and evidence generation in the fields of well-being, quality of life, and healthy ageing.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Nádia Silva

Nádia Silva

Biomedicine Researcher

Biomedical researcher dedicated to studying the determinants of healthy ageing and women’s health.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Ricardo Leitão

Ricardo Leitão

Neuroscience Researcher

Translational neuroscientist studying the blood–brain barrier, neuroinflammation and neurovascular dysfunction. 

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Tomas Ondrejcak

Tomas Ondrejcak

Data Scientist

Senior Preclinical Researcher | In Vivo Electrophysiology & Neuropharmacology

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
André Gabriel

André Gabriel

Lab Technician

PhD candidate in Biomedical Sciences with an MSc in Molecular and Cell Biology, experienced in non-coding RNAs in cardiovascular disease.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Beatriz Martins

Beatriz Martins

Lab Technician

Microbiology MSc with experience in research and clinical diagnosis, interested in translating scientific knowledge into health innovation.

Linkedin Orcid
Rebekah Koppenol

Rebekah Koppenol

Lab Technician

PhD in Biomedical Sciences with expertise in CRISPR technology and stem cell models. Interested in neuroscience, gene therapy & translational research.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
Carolina Silvestre

Carolina Silvestre

Human Resources Manager

HR Manager focused on structuring processes, managing the employee lifecycle, and aligning the team with organizational strategy. 

Linkedin
Daniela Santos

Daniela Santos

Project Manager | Pre award

With a PhD in Mechanisms of Disease and Regenerative Medicine, channeling her experience in research into new funding opportunities and outreach.

Linkedin Orcid Googlescholar-dark Google Scholar
David Correia

David Correia

Administrative Technician

Administrative Technician with extensive experience in management, finance and web development.

Linkedin
Hugo Martins

Hugo Martins

Project Manager | Post award

Project Manager at ABC CoLAB, with a background in Healthcare Management, focused on R&D projects, EU funding, financial management and risk analysis.

Linkedin