Alexandre Quintanilha

Alexandre Quintanilha completed his Ph.D. in Physics in 1972 at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. However, he shifted his focus to cellular physiology, conducting research at the University of California, Berkeley. At the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, he also directed the Center for Environmental Studies. In 1991, he became a professor at the University of Porto and founded the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the same university.

He has chaired committees for the European Science Foundation, the European Commission, OECD, and various national and international research organizations. In recent years, Alexandre Quintanilha has also worked on risk perception and public understanding of science, particularly in the areas of cognitive enhancement. He currently serves as a member of the Portuguese Parliament, where he presides over the Committee on Education and Science. Additionally, Alexandre Quintanilha is the president of the scientific board of the Pavilion of Knowledge.