Postdoc researcher/ Invited assistant professor at University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal
Dr. Vanessa Natália dos Santos Silva is a Portuguese scientist with a PhD in Veterinary Sciences and a strong academic foundation in Biochemistry and Food Engineering. Currently, she is a postdoctoral research fellow at LAQV-REQUIMTE and an invited assistant professor at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD). Vanessa has authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles, one book, and multiple book chapters, with extensive experience in national and international scientific communication. She is a Portuguese Ambassador for the Global AMR Insights Network, actively engaged in combating antimicrobial resistance. Her work bridges academia, innovation, and science communication globally. 🌍📚🔬
Publication Profile
Scopus
🎓 Education
Vanessa Silva holds a PhD in Veterinary Sciences with specialization in Biomedical Sciences from UTAD (2022, distinction: Muito Bom). She also earned a Master’s degree in Biochemistry (2016, 17/20), and a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry (2013, 14/20) from the same university. She completed a specialization course in Food Engineering (2016, 15.65/20). Vanessa pursued several advanced training courses in microbiome studies, genomics, transcriptomics, HPLC, bioinformatics, and lab animal science, across institutions like University of Minho, University of Porto, and UTAD. Her academic background is complemented by certifications in MALDI-TOF MS, genome studies, and molecular techniques. 📘🧪🎓
💼 Experience
Dr. Vanessa Silva currently serves as a postdoctoral fellow at LAQV-REQUIMTE and invited assistant professor at UTAD. She has supervised numerous students across undergraduate to doctoral levels. Vanessa is a prolific scientific contributor with 80+ indexed journal articles, 9+ book chapters, and over 200 communications in national and international forums. She is actively involved in multidisciplinary collaborations and is known for her translational research. Her academic and professional roles highlight her commitment to knowledge dissemination, research excellence, and student mentorship in microbiology, food safety, and biomedical sciences. 🧫👩🏫📊
🏆 Awards & Honors
Vanessa has been recognized with 19 awards for scientific research and best communications at conferences, celebrating her excellence in antimicrobial resistance research, biofilm studies, and public health. Her honors highlight her impact on the scientific community and reflect the quality and relevance of her work. These accolades span national and international platforms, showcasing her leadership in microbiological innovation and science communication. As an ambassador of the Global AMR Insights Network, she actively contributes to shaping policies and global awareness regarding antimicrobial resistance and health security. 🏅🌐🔎
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Silva’s research revolves around antimicrobial resistance (AMR), bacterial biofilms, epidemiology of genetic lineages, and food safety. She employs multi-omics approaches to investigate resistant pathogens and environmental AMR transmission under a One Health framework. Her work integrates genomics, proteomics, and advanced microbial diagnostics to address challenges in veterinary, environmental, and human health. She is particularly interested in biofilm resilience mechanisms, the role of soil and food matrices in AMR gene transfer, and the development of alternative antimicrobials, including nanoparticles. Her interdisciplinary research supports sustainable strategies to combat microbial threats globally. 🧬🦠🌾🍽️
Publication Top Notes
🧫 From Soil to Surface Water: Exploring Klebsiella’s Clonal Lineages and Antibiotic Resistance Odyssey in Environmental Health – 2025 | 📝 Article
🧬 Whole-Genome Sequencing of ESBL-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from Bloodstream Infections – 2025 | 📝 Article
🌿 Phenolic Compounds from Pyrus communis Residues: Antibacterial Action & Therapeutic Applications – 2025 | 📚 Review
🐾 A One Health Perspective on Multidrug Resistance Amongst Iberian Exotic Pet Owners – 2025 | 📝 Article
🦠 Klebsiella in Wildlife: Clonal Dynamics and Antibiotic Resistance – A Systematic Review – 2025 | 📚 Review
🐍 First Overview of Zoological Medicine in Iberian Countries – 2024 | 📝 Article | 📊 Cited by: 1
🍇 Red Grape By-Products from Douro: Chemical, Antioxidant & Antimicrobial Evaluation – 2024 | 📝 Article
🐔 Genetic Complexity of CC5 S. aureus in Chickens: AMR & Biofilm Formation – 2024 | 📝 Article
🐖 Resistome, Virulome & Clonal Variation in MRSA from Healthy Swine Populations – 2024 | 📝 Article