Mónica Fernandes

She completed a bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) and a master’s degree in Microbiology, at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. In September 2022, she joined the iBB Laboratory of “Physiological Genomics and Diversity of Yeasts for Sustainable Bioeconomy” to develop her master’s thesis entitled ” Lignocellulose-based lipid production by Rhodotorula toruloides: studies on an evolved multi-tolerant strain” under the supervision of Professor Isabel Sá-Correia. During her master’s research internship (1 year), she was able to expand her knowledge in working with yeasts. Since July 2023 to date, she is a member of the “Blue Bioeconomy Pact” research team, working within the scope of “Algae Vertical” and the “Portuguese Blue BioBank”. She is isolating, molecularly identifying and phenotypically characterizing yeasts associated with industrial algae cultures and curating the IST-Yeasts CC.