Paula Isabel da Silva Moreira

Paula I. Moreira received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Coimbra, Portugal, in 2007. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra and an Investigator at the Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CiBB). Her research focuses on: (1) elucidating the role of energy metabolism, particularly mitochondrial function (bioenergetics, homeostasis, and signaling), and insulin/IGF-1–mediated pathways in brain alterations associated with metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes and obesity) and neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease; (2) clarifying the contribution of hypoxia and sex/gender to the neurodegenerative processes underlying these conditions; and (3) exploring the preventive and therapeutic potential of both pharmacological approaches (e.g., mitochondrial modulators) and non-pharmacological strategies (e.g., hypoxic [pre]conditioning). Her group employs a wide range of experimental models, including isolated mitochondria, in vitro systems, in vivo and ex vivo disease models, and human samples. Moreira has authored over 250 peer-reviewed scientific articles and book chapters. She is co-editor of the books Alzheimer’s Disease: New Beginnings (ISBN print 978-1-61499-875-4; ISBN online 978-1-61499-876-1) and Therapeutic Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease: Where Are We Now? (ISBN print 978-1-64368-531-1; ISBN online 978-1-64368-532-8). She serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports, Senior Editor of Aging Brain, Associate Editor of Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Section Editor of Biochimica et Biophysica Acta – Molecular Basis of Disease, and is a member of the editorial board of Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, among others. She has received several distinctions, including the Stimulus to Research Prize (2003), supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation; the L’Oréal for Women in Science Award (2008), supported by L’Oréal Portugal/UNESCO/FCT; the RFS Award in Science from Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, supported by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. in collaboration with the Rosalind Franklin Society (2023); and the IETI George Perry Health and Neuroscience Award (2024), supported by the International Engineering and Technology Institute. She has been recognized as a World Expert in Alzheimer’s disease and mitochondria by Expertscape and was named in the 2021–2025 editions of the World’s Top 2% Scientists list compiled by Stanford University.