Women's Day, 8th March | The achievements of the Women of Católica
International Women's Day celebrates the strength, talent and impact of women on society. On this day, we recognise their achievements and the moments in which the women of Católica have inspired us throughout 2024.
Evidencing her capacity for leadership and international influence, Isabel Capeloa Gil, President of Católica, was the only Portuguese woman to make the Forbes 50 over 50 list in 2024. That same year, she was voted Personality of the Year by AmCham Tributes and honoured by the Mary Robinson Foundation for Women for Climate Justice.
In Research
Helga Martins, a postdoctoral fellow in Integral Human Development, won the European Oncology Nursing Society Best Rapid Fire Presentation Award 2024 for her work ‘Pain monitoring and assessment in oncology: a best practice implementation project’.
Also in the field of cancer research, Ana Moreno, a researcher at the Human Neurobehavioural Laboratory (HNL), won the EU TalentOn 2024, with Breath for Life, a proposal for the early detection of cancer.
The impact of Católica researchers is also reflected in the Best Scientists Rankings: In the field of Biology and Biochemistry, researchers Manuela Pintado, Paula M. L. Castro and Célia M. Manaia are among the best in the country. In the area of Environmental Sciences, Paula M. L. Castro once again stands out in the Best Scientists Rankings, while in the area of Microbiology the same recognition is awarded to researcher Paula Teixeira.
Joana Romeiro, a researcher at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Health Research and fellow of the PhD in DHI, was also awarded the ‘Martha E. Rogers Grant’ by New York University for her project: ‘Social vulnerability and its effects on the health of immigrant children living in Portugal’. Rogers Grant’ by New York University for her project: “Social vulnerability and its effects on the health of immigrant children living in Portugal”.
Among the ten researchers from the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in the world's top most cited scientists in 2023, according to Stanford University's ‘World's Top 2% Scientists 2023’ ranking, five are women: Célia Manaia, Marta W. Vasconcelos, Manuela Pintado and Paula Teixeira, from the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry, and Paula Ravasco, a researcher from the Centre for Interdisciplinary Health Research. Among the six researchers recognised for their impact on science throughout their careers, five are women: Paula Ravasco, Célia Manaia, Paula Teixeira, Manuela Pintado and Paula Castro.
Em novembro de 2024, Célia Manaia foi ainda reconhecida como uma das cientistas mais citadas do mundo, pelo quinto ano consecutivo. Enquanto Sara Silva Pereira, investigadora no Católica Biomedical Research Centre foi distinguida com uma medalha de honra L´Oréal Portugal.
In November 2024, Célia Manaia was also recognised as one of the most cited scientists in the world, for the fifth year running. Sara Silva Pereira, a researcher at the Católica Biomedical Research Centre, was awarded a L'Oréal Portugal medal of honour.
On the impact of alumni
In the 30 under 30 list, Forbes honoured 30 young people under the age of 30 who have turned their dreams and ambitions into work and who have become truly talented entrepreneurs by creating projects with an impact.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Rita Alexandre, a CATÓLICA-LISBON alumna, received an Academic Excellence Award from the University of San Diego.
Maria Caetano, a CATÓLICA-LISBON alumna, took the name of Portugal and Católica to the 2024 Olympic Games in dressage.
Student achievements
Also in the field of sport, Maria Inês Correia, a finalist in the Nursing degree programme, became the university Kickboxing champion in the low kick discipline, demonstrating that it is possible to combine high-level sport with studies,