Marta Agostinho is the Executive Director of EU-LIFE, an alliance of leading European research institutes in the life sciences that aims at promoting excellence in research and acting as a voice for research institutes in the European policy landscape. Her fields of action include science policy, research governance & culture, strategic science management and communication, outreach and public dialogue with science. She is also expert evaluator in EU programmes. As Executive Director of EU-LIFE, M. Agostinho co-designs and oversees the implementation of EU-LIFE’s overall strategy, including leading the science policy area, representing EU-LIFE externally and supervising the EU-LIFE office. She is currently based in Barcelona, Spain.

M. Agostinho holds a PhD in Cell Biology (2007) and a post-graduation in Science Communication (2009). She has over 15 years’ experience in knowledge mediation in international settings, after 10 years’ experience of research in life sciences and 5 years as Invited lecturer in Genetic Engineering. She was Director of the Communication & Training Unit at Instituto de Medicina Molecular (IMM), Lisbon, Portugal (2008-2012), which provided a coordinated framework for Science Communication, Advanced Training and Science Funding. She also worked as PhD programme manager (2007, IMM) and Project Manager (2012-2014, NOVA Medical School (FCM/UNL), Lisbon, Portugal) responsible for the coordination of a European Joint Action in Mental Health policy with over 50 partner institutions mandated by the EU Member States Governments from 27 European Countries. She has experience as trainer and teacher (graduate and post-graduate).