Carolina Neca holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Coimbra and a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from FCT NOVA, where she was awarded the prize for best student of 2023/2024. Her research background is rooted in biomedical innovation, with a focus on drug delivery and nanotechnology for cancer treatment, work that earned her a poster prize from the Royal Society of Chemistry during her Master’s at Instituto Superior Técnico.
Currently, as a PhD student and member of the COMPASS research group, Carolina is developing her research on advanced immunotherapy for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Her work focuses on bioengineering novel immune-cell-based living materials to overcome the challenges of the tumor microenvironment, aiming to enhance localized treatment efficacy and cellular function in solid tumors.
Outside the lab, Carolina values a dynamic and balanced lifestyle. Whether through sports, organizing plans, or socializing with friends, she finds that staying active and connected to the arts is essential for maintaining a creative and grounded perspective in her research.