Marta Agostinho is the Executive Director of EU-LIFE, an alliance of leading life science research institutes in Europe, whose mission is to promote excellence in scientific research globally and act as the voice of independent research institutes and the scientific community in the European political arena.
Her areas of expertise include science policy, scientific governance and culture, strategic science management, and communication, outreach, and public dialogue with science. She is also an evaluator for European research and innovation programs. She has experience as a teacher and trainer in pre- and post-graduate education in her areas of expertise.
As Executive Director of EU-LIFE, Marta Agostinho co-designs and leads the implementation of the overall EU-LIFE strategy, including leading the science policy area, representing EU-LIFE externally, and leading the EU-LIFE team. She has been based in Barcelona, Spain, for 10 years (since the beginning of 2015) with regular presence in Brussels (several times a month).
Marta Agostinho holds a degree in Biochemistry (University of Porto), a master’s degree in Biochemical Engineering (Instituto Superior Técnico), and a PhD in Cellular Biology (2007; University of Lisbon). She also holds a postgraduate degree in Science Communication (2009, Open University UK).
She currently has over 15 years of experience in knowledge mediation and science policy in international environments, following 10 years of experience in life sciences research (1997-2006) and 5 years of teaching as a Visiting Professor in Genetic Engineering (2002-2007).
She was the Director of the Communication, Funding, and Scientific Education Unit at the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Lisbon (2008-2012) and worked as a European Project Manager at NOVA Medical School (2012-2014), responsible for coordinating a European Joint Action in Mental Health Policy with over 50 partner institutions, including ministries and government agencies from 27 European countries.
Marta Agostinho has been a Counselor of Portugal in the World at the Portuguese Diaspora Council since January 2025.