Patrícia Antunes is an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Food Microbiology at the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, a position she has held since 2021, after serving as an Assistant Professor since 2007. She holds a degree in Nutrition Sciences (1997, FCNAUP), a Master's in Quality Control of Food and Water (2001, FFUP), and a PhD in Microbiology (2007, FFUP).

As a senior researcher at the BacT_Drugs Research Lab, part of the Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit (UCIBIO), she has coordinated and participated in numerous national and international research projects focused on Microbiology and Food Safety, working closely with food industry stakeholders. She has published over 50 papers in high-impact international peer-reviewed journals and presented more than 200 communications (oral and posters) at prestigious national and international congresses.

Additionally, she serves as a co-editor and reviewer for internationally recognized journals in the fields of Basic/Applied Microbiology, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Food Safety. Patrícia has extensive experience supervising students and actively participates in working groups and scientific societies of Microbiology, such as Youth Research of Porto University (IJUP), the Portuguese Society of Microbiology (SPM), ESCMID, and the Food- and Water-borne Infections Study Group (EFWISG) of ESCMID. She co-coordinated the Citizen Science project MicroMundo@UPorto, focusing on antimicrobial resistance and microbial diversity, and currently coordinates and trains the EU-funded PRR course "Microbiological Analysis in the Food Chain for the Catering Sector".

With over 25 years of experience in Health Sciences, focusing on Food Microbiology, Food Hygiene, and Food Safety, her research interests are situated at the interface of Microbiology, Antimicrobial Resistance and One-Health, specifically investigating the epidemiology and molecular evolution of non-typhoidal Salmonella and other foodborne bacteria from various ecological niches, including humans, food, animals, and the environment. She studies the factors involved in the emergence and persistence of clonal lineages and genetic elements associated with resistance to antimicrobial compounds such as antibiotics, metals, and biocides/disinfectants used in the food chain and drinking water supply. Patrícia aims to identify proactive farm-to-fork measures to mitigate microbiological risks to public health, providing valuable insights for stakeholders in the food industry and policymakers involved in food safety regulation.

For a complete CV, please visit Ciencia Vitae - https://www.cienciavitae.pt/portal/1615-CA14-9F2C.