Dr Patricia Boasquivis

Patricia holds a degree in Pharmacy from the Federal University of Ouro Preto (Brazil), where she also earned a Master’s in Biotechnology investigating genetic pathways related to oxidative stress resistance and neurodegenerative diseases using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. She completed her PhD in Genetics at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil), with a focus on the development of vaccine candidates for leishmaniasis, employing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, molecular cloning, and in vivo immunogenicity assessments.

For over a decade, Patricia has worked within the Brazilian Public Health System, leading activities related to industrial development, technology transfer, and the industrial production of biologicals and small molecules pharmaceutical products. Her experience includes upstream process development, pre-formulation, formulation, lyophilization, filling, and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing. She has contributed to the tech transfer and the production of vaccines (e.g., meningococcal), hyperimmune sera for neglected tropical diseases (e.g., rabies and snakebite envenoming), and essential medicines for conditions such as leprosy and hepatitis.

In February 2025, she joined Pirbright’s PRRS Immunology Group as a Postdoctoral Scientist. Her current research focuses on applying reverse and structural vaccinology approaches to develop a broadly protective PRRSV vaccine, as part of the Horizon Europe-funded REPRODIVAC project.