Inês Sena Lopes

Dedicated Biomedical Scientist with nearly 20 years of experience in clinical diagnostics and laboratory sciences, currently working at the Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, NOVA University of Lisbon. Skilled in laboratory diagnostics, especially in microbiology and molecular biology, with hands-on expertise in qPCR, quality management, and research on antimalarial drug resistance. 

Inês has held key roles in prominent institutions including the Germano de Sousa Laboratory Center, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Quest Diagnostics UK, and Hospital de Pulido Valente. Her responsibilities have spanned biological sample collection, diagnostic testing, quality control (including NEQAS programs), and stock management. She also has a strong background in pedagogy, providing academic support and co-supervising undergraduate and masters´ students. 

Her scientific contributions include co-authoring a publication in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases and participation in multiple research and teaching projects on malaria and neglected tropical diseases such as leptospira. She is an advocate for continual learning, completing training in scientific communication, design thinking in science, and ISO 9001:2015 quality systems. 

Inês holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of London and a Bachelor’s in Clinical Analysis and Public Health from the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon. She is proficient in English, with basic knowledge of Spanish and French, and is skilled in scientific writing, communication, and critical thinking. 

Molecular markers of resistance to anti-malarials ; congenital malaria; malaria surveillance

1. Lopes I., Dias J., Das Neves E., Morais M., Santos-Reis A., Garcia A. M., Varandas L., Lopes D. (2025). Imported Malaria and Congenital Acquisition in Infant, Portugal, 2024. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 31(9), 1843-1846. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3109.250536.
2. Nóbrega de Sousa T, Machado PC, Lopes I, Das Neves E, Narciso A, Pires A, Santos A, Trovoada MJ, Gil JP, Lopes D. Extensive low-density Plasmodium falciparum reservoir in the island of Príncipe, an isolated malaria pre-elimination setting. Int J Infect Dis. 2024;147:107220. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107220.