Meet Our Team: Bárbara F. Pinheiro

Being supportive, respectful, and responsible toward our team is part of our mission.

This month, our Business Development Analyst, Bárbara Pinheiro, celebrates one year at Stemmatters. Bárbara graduated in Biomedical Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança and holds a master's degree and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from the University of Minho. She is a business-oriented scientist who acquired solid expertise in stem cell therapies through a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. With more than eight years of Health and Life Sciences experience, she has contributed to various R&D projects that have resulted in 16 successful peer-reviewed articles. At Stemmatters, Bárbara supports the business department in the execution of lead-generation activities, through the implementation of client outreach campaigns and Stemmatters’ digital marketing strategy.

In this #OurTeam “episode” we had a chat with Bárbara to learn a bit more about her experience during this past year at Stemmatters.

Describe this past year at Stemmatters in one small sentence.
Working at Stemmatters has been a challenging and rewarding experience that has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally.

Who or what inspired you to pursue the career you have today?
As a child, I had many aspirations: I wanted to be a singer, dancer, dolphin trainer, and even a doctor. However, in high school, my passion for mathematics began to emerge, and this, coupled with my love for biology, led me to take a course in Biomedical Engineering. After completing my graduation, I realized that my heart was more inclined toward the Life and Health Sciences, so I decided to further my education by obtaining a master's degree and a Ph.D. in this field. After eight years in academia, I felt I needed to go to a place where science had a more direct impact on people's lives, and that's what motivated me to pursue a career in a biotech company. At Stemmatters, I discovered that working in the lab no longer satisfied me, and being on the business side can be really rewarding. Today, I am a business-oriented scientist, hoping to aid innovators in developing and manufacturing next-generation therapies to foster a healthier society.

What motivates you to continue working at Stemmatters?
What motivates me to continue working at Stemmatters is the company's commitment to improving patient outcomes through innovative therapies. Furthermore, I'm motivated by the opportunity to work with a talented and diverse team of professionals who are passionate about their work. Stemmatters values collaboration and teamwork, and I have learned a great deal from my colleagues since joining the company. Having the opportunity to work at the only CDMO in the country in the field of cellular therapies, which is my area of expertise, is truly a privilege.

If you were an animal in your workplace, which would you be and why?
If I were an animal in my workplace, I would be a mix between a beaver and an ant. I consider myself an energetic, playful, and adaptive person like the beaver, but I am also a team player like the ant (gather food for the winter, remember the fable?).