Sara Varela Amaral

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Researcher

Science Communication

E-mail
sara.amaral@cnc.uc.pt
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Overview

Sara Varela Amaral is a science communication professional and researcher with over 15 years of experience dedicated to promoting scientific literacy, particularly within the biomedical domain. With a strong academic background in Biochemistry (BSc and MSc) and a PhD in Biosciences focused on Science Communication, she combines scientific expertise with strategic leadership in public engagement, participatory research, science management, and the evaluation of science communication impact. Her academic training is complemented by advanced national and international programs in science communication, public engagement, and science education, which have continuously strengthened her professional practice. Early in her career, she completed an intensive internship at the international Centre for Life (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK), gaining hands-on experience in informal science education, and began her professional path at a biotechnology-focused science center (Biocant Park, Portugal) dedicated to informal education and science communication, establishing a foundation for linking biomedical research, public engagement, and health education.
Over the last 3 years, Sara has played a central role in coordinating and consolidating the strategic direction of science communication at CiBB, a modern research institution dedicated to public engagement and science literacy. In addition to her institutional work, Sara has also demonstrated her commitment to public engagement in science, proactivity and leadership through initiatives such as PubhD Coimbra, that she founded in 2017 and coordinated until 2025, where PhD students present their research in a bar setting, empowering early-career scientists and engaging the public. She also collaborated for 3 years with the Maratona da Saúde, an innovative biomedical research awareness and fundraising initiative, establishing strategic partnerships with RTP (television), festivals and other stakeholders, effectively promoting health literacy and fundraising for biomedical research across broad audiences.
Her work systematically incorporates evaluation of impact, outreach, art and science initiatives, and participatory research, ensuring that projects not only engage audiences but also generate measurable outcomes in terms of scientific and health literacy, public engagement, and societal benefit. She regularly participates in high-level national and international conferences, maintaining active engagement in strategic discussions on science communication. She has supervised and mentored early-career researchers, technical staff members, and students, guiding science communication, public engagement, and scientific culture. Sara has coordinated funded science communication projects and contributed to several additional initiatives, collaborating across CiBB’s multidisciplinary teams and external institutions. She has also contributed to innovative advanced training programs, coordinated an annual science communication advanced course (since 2018) and developed hands-on workshops in science communication, supporting the next generation of scientists. Her extensive experience in organizing scientific meetings and conferences has further strengthened her skills in event planning, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication. Alongside her research and management activities, Sara has contributed to major public engagement in science initiatives, including European Researchers’ Night, Brain Awareness Week and Ciência Viva programmes. She is an active member of the Portuguese Science Communication Network (SciComPT). Driven by the conviction that science and health communication are essential for societal progress, Sara’s career is guided by the goal of reducing the gap between science and society. She is recognized as a strategic leader, proactive science manager, and creative project designer, with strong communication, networking, and mentoring skills, and a proven ability to design, implement, and evaluate initiatives that strengthen scientific and health literacy at the societal level.

Publications

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Information about journal articles, updated at 25-01-2026, from platform CIÊNCIAVITAE.

Health in Knowledge - Measuring the Effectiveness of a Transmedia Strategy for Health Literacy Promotion in Portugal

Varela Amaral, Sara, European Journal of Health Communication . 3. 5. 2024. https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2024.305 . published European Journal of Health Communication

Promoting advanced medical services in the framework of 3PM—a proof-of-concept by the “Centro” Region of Portugal

Regateiro, Fernando J.; Silva, Henriqueta; Lemos, Manuel C.; Moura, Gabriela; Torres, Pedro; Pereira, André Dias; Dias, Luís; et al, EPMA Journal. 2024. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13167-024-00353-9 . 10.1007/s13167-024-00353-9 . EPMA Journal

Why Some Couples Cannot Have Children

Amaral, Sandra; Escada-Rebelo, Sara; Cristo, Maria I.; Ramalho-Santos, João; Amaral, Sara Varela; Silva, Andreia F., Frontiers for Young Minds. 11. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frym.2023.1107336 . 10.3389/frym.2023.1107336 . Frontiers for Young Minds

Mit.OnOff: A Science Communication Project for Public Awareness about Mitochondrial Cytopathies

Grazina, Manuela; Martins, Sara; Santos, Maria João; Simões, Marta; Caetano, Carolina; Neves, Beatriz; Amaral, Sara Varela; Bindoff, Laurence A., Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets. 23. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871530323666230914114434 . 10.2174/1871530323666230914114434 . Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: When Nerve Cells Run Out of Power

Quatorze, Marta; Silva, Filomena; Duarte, Ana I.; Cardoso, João; Caetano, Carolina; Ramalho-Santos, João; Oliveira, Paulo J.; Amaral, Sara Varela, Frontiers for Young Minds. 11. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frym.2023.974736 . 10.3389/frym.2023.974736 . Frontiers for Young Minds

Brain Gain – Discovering Neurosciences: A digital education outreach project for higher education students

Laranjo, Mariana; Amaral, Sara; Caetano, Carolina; Santos, Sílvio; Campos, Rita; Peça, João; Seabra, Catarina M., The Biochemist. 21 - 27. 2. 45. 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_104 . 10.1042/bio_2023_104 . published The Biochemist

The Superpowers of Our Sleep

Gaspar, Laetitia S.; Santos, Bárbara; Barros-Viegas, Ana Teresa; Cardoso, João; Varela Amaral, Sara; Carvalhas-Almeida, Catarina; Santos-Carvalho, Ana; Cavadas, Cláudia; Álvaro, Ana Rita, Frontiers for Young Minds. 8. 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frym.2020.540052 . 10.3389/frym.2020.540052 . Frontiers for Young Minds

Publicly Stressing the Role of Mitochondria in NAFLD with(in) a Sports Event

Varela Amaral, Sara, European Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/eci.13234 . published European Journal of Clinical Investigation

The Brain Buskers project: taking science to the streets

Varela Amaral, Sara, The Biochemist. 50 - 52. 4. 41. 2019. https://portlandpress.com/biochemist/article/41/4/50/220257/The-Brain-Buskers-Project-taking-science-to-the . published The Biochemist

Science in Theatre—An Art Project with Researchers

Amaral, Sara Varela; Montenegro, Mário; Forte, Teresa; Freitas, Francisco; Cruz, M. Teresa Girão da, Journal of Creative Communications. 13 - 30. 1. 12. 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0973258616688966 . 10.1177/0973258616688966 . Journal of Creative Communications

I Want More and Better Cells! – An Outreach Project about Stem Cells and Its Impact on the General Population

Varela Amaral, Sara; Forte, Teresa; Ramalho-Santos, João; Girão da Cruz, M. Teresa, PLOS ONE. 7. 10. 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0133753 . 10.1371/journal.pone.0133753 . PLOS ONE

5 11 out of 11 Publications

All projects

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Information of exclusive responsibility of the researcher 25-01-2026 , from platform CIÊNCIAVITAE.

2023 -

PAS GRAS - De-risking metabolic, environmental and behavioral determinants of obsesity in children, adolescents and young adults

101080329

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra

Funders: European Commission

2023 -

PARTICIPATE2ENGAGE - Human centred-design as a vehicle to science communication: a participatory and citizen science research approach

Semente PCSI

Principal investigator

Universidade de Coimbra

Funders: Banco Santander Portugal

2022/11 -

33 Vozes do CNC

123

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

2022 - 2023

BiotechSTARS

CENTRO-04-3560-FSE-072507

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra; CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro

2022/01/01 - 2023/06/30

Genome editing to rescue Machado-Joseph disease by alternative splicing

EXPL/MED-NEU/0936/2021

Universidade de Coimbra; Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Clínica e Biomédica de Coimbra

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2022/01/01 - 2023/06/30

BrainCils: Neuronal primary cilia and chromatin dysregulation - Exploring the missing link in neurodevelopmental disorders using brain organoids

EXPL/MED-OUT/1470/2021

Universidade de Coimbra; Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Clínica e Biomédica de Coimbra; Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra EPE

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2022/06 - 2023

Science also sleeps: raising awareness about good (and bad) sleep habits

SaS

Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar; Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Estudos Interdisciplinares do Século XX

Funders: Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar

2022 -

Information design as a vector in science communication: A co-design approach involving Autoimmune Encephalitis patients, their families, and scientists

2022.09588.BD

Supervisor

Universidade de Coimbra

2022 -

Less Rare

-

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2022 -

Less Rare

LessRare

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2022 - 2022

Brain Rail

BrainRail

Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2022 - 2022

Brain Rail

-

Co-PI

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2022 -

Brain Gain - The Podcast & Portal

-

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Biochemical Society

2022 -

Brain Gain - The Podcast & Portal

BG2

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Biochemical Society

2021 - 2023

Mit.OnOff

-

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: EEA Grants

2021 - 2022

Doença Bipolar - Um outro lado

-

Co-PI

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular; Companhia de Teatro Marionet

Funders: Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar

2021 - 2021

Brain Time

-

Co-PI

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2021 -

Brain Gain - Discovering Neuroscience in Portugal

-

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: International Brain Research Organization

2021 - 2023

Projeto de Capacitação da Região Centro para a Medicina Personalizada de Precisão de base genómica

CENTRO-08-5864-FSE-000039

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra

Funders: Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro

2021 -

Sleep4All

-

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: ResMed Foundation

2021 - 2021

Brain Time

BrainTime

Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2021 - 2021

Dormir ou não dormir?

-

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular; Companhia de Teatro Marionet

2021 -

Brain Gain - Discovering Neuroscience in Portugal

BG

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: International Brain Research Organization

2021 -

Brain Gain - Discovering Neuroscience in Portugal

BG

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: International Brain Research Organization

2021 -

Sleep4All

Sleep4All

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: ResMed Foundation

2021 - 2021

Dormir ou não dormir?

DormirNãoDormir

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular; Companhia de Teatro Marionet

2021 - 2022

Doença Bipolar - Um outro lado

DB

Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular; Companhia de Teatro Marionet

Funders: Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar

2021 - 2023

Mit.OnOff

Mit.OnOff

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: EEA Grants

2020 - 2020

Journey around the Brain

-

Co-PI

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2020 - 2021

Science engagement through videos: a new lens on biomedical research

SEV

Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Biochemical Society

2020 - 2020

A Máquina dos Sonhos

-

Co-PI

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular; Companhia de Teatro Marionet

Funders: Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar

2020 - 2021

Science engagement through videos: a new lens on biomedical research

-

Co-PI

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Biochemical Society

2020 - 2020

Journey around the Brain

JouurneyaroundBrain

Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2020 - 2020

A Máquina dos Sonhos

MS

Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular; Companhia de Teatro Marionet

Funders: Universidade de Coimbra Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar

2019 - 2024

Transmedia as a vector in science communication and health literacy: The Japan-Portugal historical and cultural connections to produce new health communication materials

2020.05268.BD

Supervisor

Universidade de Coimbra; Polytechnic University of Tokyo ; CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2019 - 2019

Brain O’Clock – time to make it right

BrainOclock

Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2019 - 2022

A Saúde no Saber

45-2019/478

Principal investigator

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Ciência Viva

2019 - 2019

Brain O’Clock – time to make it right

-

Co-PI

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2018/07 - 2021

A detecção precoce da Apneia do Sono como uma nova estratégia para atrasar o envelhecimento

PTDC/MEC-MCI/29002/2017

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2018/06 - 2021

O estado pausado: um método inovador para bioengenharia de Células Estaminais

PTDC/BTM-SAL/28871/2017

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2018/06 - 2021

NiNjA - Nova estratégia Neuroendócrina para um envelhecimento saudável

PTDC/MED-FAR/30167/2017

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2018 -

CIBB

UIDB/04539/2020

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2018 -

Laboratório do Desconhecimento

-

Researcher

Companhia de Teatro Marionet

Funders: Republica Portuguesa Direção-Geral das Artes

2018 - 2021

HealthyAging2020

CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000012-N2323.

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra

Funders: Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro

2018 - 2018

Neuro-Adventures

-

Principal investigator

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2018/05/01 - 2021/04/30

Mito4ALS: Development of Novel Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidants for Improving SOD1-Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Phenotype

PTDC/MED-FAR/29391/2017 -POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029391

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2018 -

Laboratório do Desconhecimento

-

Researcher

Companhia de Teatro Marionet

Funders: Republica Portuguesa Direção-Geral das Artes

2017 - 2020

LifeSciences byCENTRO

CENTRO-01-0246-FEDER-00001

Researcher

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro

2017 - 2017

Brain Travel

-

Principal investigator

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2016 - 2016

Brain Facts and Research 4everyone

-

Principal investigator

CNC - Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

2015 - 2019

CNC.IBILI

UID/NEU/04539/2019

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

2013 - 2015

Pergunta-me Ciência

-

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Ciência Viva

2011/01/01 - 2012/12/31

Strategic Project - LA 1 - 2011-2012

PEst-C/SAU/LA0001/2011

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Funders: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

5 53 out of 53 projects

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