Mariana Machado has a Bachelor’s in Medicinal Chemistry (UTAD) and a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (FFUP). In the Master’s thesis, her research was focused on organic chemistry, synthesis and modifications of chalcones, and then on the evaluation of antiproliferative activity of all synthesized compounds and assessment of the antimitotic effect. Currently, her work is based on the chemical modification of polymers of marine origin with biomolecules in order to develop supramolecular structures for biomedical applications. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and getting to know new places.