IMIB team

The team across the years, we aim for everyone to always be there!

Pedro Matos Pereira, lab head

I am the group leader of the Intracellular Microbial Infection Biology (IMIB) lab at ITQB NOVA. I have over 15 years of experience in cell biology, microbiology, and advanced microscopy, and have been focussed on understanding host-pathogen interactions and on the development of cutting-edge imaging techniques. Our team is dedicated to unraveling the complex mechanisms of intracellular bacterial infections, with a focus on the “super-bug” Staphylococcus aureus. Beyond the bench, I am actively committed to shape the (scientific) community, serving on various committees, organizing conferences and participating in outreach and citizen science initiatives. If I am not working I like to read, write, sculpt (well, kind of…) and also cycle and do some Kravmaga.

Raquel Portela, Researcher

I’m Raquel, a molecular microbiologist with a passion for unravelling the secrets of Staphylococcus aureus. I’m fascinated by the world of bacterial cell and molecular biology, particularly in exploring how these organisms build their cell walls and outsmart antibiotics. My workdays are diverse, ranging from molecular microbial genetics to host infection studies and super-resolution microscopy. In addition to lab work, I am also involved in sharing science with students and engaging in outreach activities for the general community. After having the privilege of working with exceptional experts across various labs and contributing to cutting-edge research on different aspects of S. aureus physiology, I am now thrilled to be part of the Intracellular Microbial Infection Biology (IMIB) Laboratory at ITQB-NOVA, where I continue to investigate the intriguing mechanisms of bacterial persistence and antibiotic resistance.

Bernardo Raimundo, PhD student

My name is Bernardo Raimundo, and I am a PhD student at the Intracellular Microbial Infection Biology (IMIB) lab at ITQB NOVA. I have always been passionate about science and have had the opportunity to explore it from various perspectives. My academic journey started with a focus on microbiology and molecular biology, then extended into the field of chemistry, where I even presented my work at the 23rd Tetrahedron Symposium. I firmly believe that being a researcher is more than just working at a bench: I am also involved in organizing and participating in scientific symposiums, as well as engaging in events for the general community and mentoring undergraduate and master’s students. I’m a microscopy enthusiast with experience in fluorescence, immunofluorescence, expansion, and confocal techniques. As I begin my PhD project at the IMIB lab, I am thrilled to contribute to the understanding of S. aureus intracellular infection. With my multidisciplinary background and sheer curiosity, I am eager to make groundbreaking discoveries in this field.

 Francisco Marques, Master student

Hi, I am Francisco Marques, with a degree in Biotechnology and currently pursuing a master’s in Biochemistry. I enjoy hiking and going to the gym.

 Xavier Gonçalves, Master student

Hi, I am Xavier Gonçalves.

Nicole Paier, Erasmus student

Hello! My name is Nicole Paier. I am from Austria and a BSc graduate in Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Applied Sciences (Vienna Campus). I have always been a bit of a science nerd and curious about the underlying mechanisms of diseases, so while in high school I attended an extracurricular program called Science Academy where I was first introduced to biotechnology and for my high school graduation, I wrote a pre-scientific paper about the membrane-bound multidrug resistance pumps in bacteria and cancer cells. During my bachelor studies I did an internship at Thermo Fisher Scientific at the Vienna Biocenter where I contributed to the development of a new immunoassay that detected specific proteins in a certain cancer signaling pathway. I am excited to becoming a part of the IMIB Lab during my Erasmus graduate internship and expand my knowledge in microbiology and bacterial infections. When I’m not working, I like to go for runs, read and entertain my friends as a dungeon master in a game of Dungeons and Dragons. (Still trying to figure out how to incorporate Staphylococcus aureus as a part of my DnD session…)

The IMIB Alumni

Alice Michel – Erasmus student

Beatriz Dias Sousa – Erasmus student

Constança Costa – Research fellow

Diogo Martins – Research fellow

Klementina Borovnik – Research fellow

Laurine Savy – Erasmus student

Pedro Fernandes – Postdoctoral fellow
Samuel Ellis – EMBO short term fellowship postdoctoral visiting fellow
Stevens Robertin – Company of Biologists fellowship postdoctoral visiting fellow