Sonia Pinho holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry with a specialization in Nanotechnology, earned through collaborative studies between The university of Aveiro, Portugal and Bordeaux University, France. She also completed a Master’s degree in Materials Science in 2007, conducted across the universities of Aveiro (Portugal), Hamburg (Germany), and Aalborg (Denmark). Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Chemistry from the University of Aveiro in 2004. Currently, Sonia is a faculty member at Vasco da Gama University School (EUVG) in Coimbra and a part-time lecturer at IPC-ESAC. Since 2022, she has served as Vice-President of the Pedagogical Council at EUVG. She is also an integrated researcher at the Research Center for Natural Resources, Environment, and Society (CERNAS), the Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CiBB), and the Vasco da Gama Research Centre (CIVG). Her academic career is deeply rooted in innovation, emphasizing the translation of scientific knowledge into impactful, real-world applications. With over 18 years of interdisciplinary research experience spanning chemistry, physics, biology, and nanomedicine, Sónia has made pioneering contributions to the fields of controlled drug delivery, bionanotechnology, and translational nanomedicine. Her current research focuses on leveraging the synergies between nanotechnology and biotechnology, with applications in precision agriculture, food science, and environmental nanoremediation. She is the inventor of a patented near-infrared activatable gene-editing system and has authored high-impact publications in leading journals such as Nature Communications, Biomaterials, and the Journal of Controlled Release, collectively amassing over 500 citations. Sónia is equally committed to education and mentorship, having supervised numerous undergraduate and master’s degree projects. Since 2019, she has combined her teaching roles with leadership in bio-entrepreneurship initiatives like BioBoost and BioStars, fostering innovation ecosystems. Her entrepreneurial acumen is further evidenced by securing €250k in competitive funding from FCT, enabling her to establish her own research group. Additionally, her innovative project development earned her the “BetterCare” innovation award through the IPC's Link Me Up program. A strong advocate for translational research and science communication, Sónia actively promotes societal responsibility through innovative pedagogical strategies that bridge higher education, societal needs, and entrepreneurial endeavors. Her work exemplifies the integration of academic rigor, innovation, and impact, advancing health, sustainability, and quality of life.