We are deeply sad to inform of the passing of our dear colleague Prof. Claudina Rodrigues- Pousada. Claudina was tireless in her enthusiasm and devotion to science and a great example to many of us. She supported several generations of young scientists at ITQB NOVA and elsewhere and will be deeply missed.

Claudina Rodrigues-Pousada was a pioneer of molecular biology in Portugal. Throughout her career, Claudina advised over 30 PhD students, making a strong mark in the new generations of molecular biologists in Portugal. She was also very enthusiastic in motivating the general public for the relevance of scientific research.

Claudina graduated in Pharmacy at Universidade do Porto in 1968, and obtained her PhD in Biochemistry at Université Paris VII with a “Mention trés honorable”. Upon her return to Portugal, she joined Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, where she became head of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory and later of the Unit of Genetic Engineering. She was also a Full Professor at Instituto Abel Salazar, Porto, for almost 20 years before joining ITQB NOVA as Full Professor in 2002. In 2017, her story was told in the autobiography “Quarenta anos de investigação – na voragem do tempo”. The book remembers her path, from the youth in Tadim, northern Portugal, to her PhD in Paris and to a successful and hardworking career as a scientist, professor, advocate for science in society and a family woman.

Claudina received many awards throughout her career. She was awarded the Honorary life time member Prize by the Cell Stress Society International and received the Diplôme d´Honneur FEBS from the Federation of the Biochemical Societies, which she presided in 2003-2004. In Portugal, she received the Prize of Excellence and the Science Merit Award, attributed by two different Ministers for Science, Technology and Higher Education: Minister Graça Carvalho and Minister Manuel Heitor, respectively. She was was one of the scientists in the first edition of the exhibition and book “Mulheres na Ciência”, organized by Ciência Viva, and a member of several international scientific societies, including the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and the  American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Claudina was an example to generations of women scientists, in Portugal and abroad, for her tireless devotion to science. She was also a very strong advocate for young scientists at national and international level, having supported many young colleagues in their careers.

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We send our deepest condolences to her family, her students and friends.

ITQB NOVA Board of Directors