I'm Ana Ferreira, a Portuguese scientist with over 15 years of hands-on experience in cancer research and animal science. I currently work as a scientific consultant, evaluating project applications for European calls and translating complex science into fundable proposals. I also coach and facilitate personal development for scientists, researchers, and educators, helping them communicate more effectively and pursue growth opportunities. Beyond research and coaching, I co-founded a science outreach initiative to make research accessible in Portuguese and to connect science with everyday learning. As a Certified Conscious Parenting Facilitator, I design and deliver workshops for parents and educators, blending science with practical strategies for child development and education. I’m passionate about mentoring, science communication, and building bridges between academia and society.

Ana Ferreira

I'm Ana Ferreira, a Portuguese scientist with over 15 years of hands-on experience in cancer research and animal science. I currently work as a scientific consultant, evaluating project applications for European calls and translating complex science into fundable proposals. I also coach and facilitate personal development for scientists, researchers, and educators, helping them communicate more effectively and pursue growth opportunities. Beyond research and coaching, I co-founded a science outreach initiative to make research accessible in Portuguese and to connect science with everyday learning. As a Certified Conscious Parenting Facilitator, I design and deliver workshops for parents and educators, blending science with practical strategies for child development and education. I’m passionate about mentoring, science communication, and building bridges between academia and society.

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I’m Ana Ferreira, a Portuguese scientist with over 15 years of hands-on experience in cancer research and animal science. I currently work as a scientific consultant, evaluating project applications for European calls and translating complex science into fundable proposals. I also coach and facilitate personal development for scientists, researchers, and educators, helping them communicate more effectively and pursue growth opportunities.

Beyond research and coaching, I co-founded a science outreach initiative to make research accessible in Portuguese and to connect science with everyday learning. As a Certified Conscious Parenting Facilitator, I design and deliver workshops for parents and educators, blending science with practical strategies for child development and education. I’m passionate about mentoring, science communication, and building bridges between academia and society.

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Experience Level

Language

Portuguese
Fluent
English
Fluent
Dutch
Advanced
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
Polish
Beginner
French
Beginner

Work Experience

Scientific consultant at European organizations (projects for large European calls)
December 1, 2019 - Present
Scientific assessment of projects and applications for large European calls for European Organizations.
Coach and Workshop Facilitator at Travel Into You
March 1, 2018 - Present
Providing life coaching workshops, sessions and tools, mostly for scientists.
Postdoctoral Researcher at Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen
September 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018
Project: Cancer prevention through improved risk assessment and gene discovery.
Co-founder, Science Writer at Parentalidade Ciência (Parenting with Science)
January 1, 2016 - Present
Co-founded science outreach project, creating accessible articles in Portuguese about recent parenting-related research; Certified Conscious Parenting Facilitator delivering workshops and sessions for parents and educators, combining conscious parenting concepts with basic scientific questions of child development and education.
Post-doctoral Fellow at Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (ICAAM) & ITQB/UNL
June 1, 2010 - December 31, 2016
Animal Science projects, mainly on taste receptors and genetics and proteomics of Seasonal Weight Loss in ruminants.
Lecturer at Universidade de Évora
January 1, 2012 - June 30, 2012
Teaching Oncobiology to Human Biology students.
Post-doctoral Position at Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Research Center for Nanomedicine (CIBBIM - Nanomedicine), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital
June 1, 2009 - April 30, 2010
Project: Development and mechanistic study of an animal model of human colorectal cancer metastases by KRAS and BRAF expression.
PhD Student at University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen
January 1, 2005 - May 31, 2009
Identification of microsatellite unstable (MSI-H) endometrial cancer-associated target genes.
Short-term Visiting Researcher at Jagiellonian University Medical College
June 1, 2004 - September 30, 2004
Marie Curie Research Training Network – Cellion Project – Studies on cellular response to targeted single ions using nanotechnology.
Undergraduate Research Assistant at IPATIMUP, University of Porto
November 1, 2002 - December 31, 2004
Genetic and environmental factors contributing to familial aggregation of gastric cancer.

Education

PhD in Medical Sciences at University of Groningen
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
Degree in Biology at University of Porto
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002

Qualifications

Add Heart Facilitator - Trauma Training for Professionals
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Lego Serious Play for Coaching - Gold Label Creation & Strategy
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Points of You for Professionals - Certified Practitioner Training
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
International Certification in Coaching, LIFE Training
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Somatic Experiencing Professional Training (Beginner I and II)
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Conscious Parenting Facilitator
January 1, 2016 - February 5, 2026
Clinical Research Associate (CRA) Training
January 1, 2013 - February 5, 2026
Epidemiology and Applied Statistics
January 1, 2006 - February 5, 2026

Industry Experience

Life Sciences, Education, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Healthcare