Rafaela got her MSc degree in Bioengineering, on the Molecular Biotechnology branch from Faculty of Engineering and the Biomedical Sciences Institute Abel Salazar of the University of Porto, Portugal (2019) after developing her final Master Dissertation project at i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde under the supervision of Dr. Aureliana Sousa. The worked was focused on the development of a bi-functional biomaterial for the treatment of bone cancer through the induction of hyperthermia effect and, at the same time, promote the bone regeneration.

Between 2019 and 2020, Rafaela was a MSc Fellowship at the Biofabrication group at i3S. During this time, she was working on the development of innovative 3D scaffolds to promote bone regeneration. 

In 2018, Rafaela performed an intership in the BioEngineered Surfaces group, from i3s, based on the development of an antimicrobial and antithrombogenic coating for stents, under the supervison of Dr. Fabíola Costa.

Currently, Rafaela is a PhD student at the Biofabrication group at i3S. She is working on the development of inovative 3D skin fibrosis model, under the supervision of Dr. Rúben Pereira.