Dr Francisco Vitor Santos da Silva

Dr Francisco Vitor Santos da Silva

Position: Senior Lecturer

T: 353(0)21 490 3000

E: fsilva@ucc.ie

Research Interests/Expertise

- Upstream and downstream bioprocess development (Quality-by-Design), optimization, first-principles simulation, Bayesian inference, and scale-up.
- Statistical (experimental) and model-based optimization, as well as risk, sensitivity, and reliability analysis of industrial unit operations.
- Application of process analytical technology (PAT) in the biotech industry.
- Sustainable biotechnological and chemical processes in the industrial production of biopharmaceuticals, foods, alternative sources of protein, and other value-added chemicals.

Biography

Dr. Francisco Vitor Santos da Silva is an experienced researcher and academic with a strong background in bioprocess and chemical engineering. His work is characterized by a deep commitment to the development and optimization of sustainable biotechnological and chemical processes.

Dr. Santos da Silva's academic journey began at the Federal University of Paraná in Brazil, where he graduated with a first-class honours degree in Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology in 2012. His exceptional performance earned him the top student of the year award. He then pursued a PhD at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg in Germany, where he was recognized with the highest distinction, Summa Cum Laude, for his work on Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) chromatography in 2017.

In 2018, Dr. Santos da Silva was awarded a competitive FAPESP individual postdoctoral fellowship to apply Francisco’s scientific interests lay at the intersection between industrial bioprocesses, mathematical modelling, and data science. The central question guiding his research is how to reduce the uncertainty in chemical and biochemical process development and scale-up. This question has led him to develop new hybrid modelling techniques that incorporate solid first-principles and precise statistical inference to guide process development. 

In 2021, Dr. Santos da Silva joined the University of Limerick in Ireland as the instrument scientist responsible for managing the Bernal Bio Labs. There, he continued his research in biopharmaceutical manufacturing in collaboration with the industry. His work at the Bernal Institute led to the development of novel strategies for monoclonal antibody capture using protein A column.

In 2022, Dr. Santos da Silva was appointed Senior Lecturer in a joint position between the School of Microbiology and the School of Engineering and Architecture at University College Cork (UCC). His teaching activities at UCC and other institutions have been marked by the use of modern teaching technologies and a focus on developing students' capacity to design bioprocesses using state-of-the-art data and simulation-based approaches.

Throughout his career, Dr. Santos da Silva has been an active contributor to the scientific community, serving as a peer-reviewer for several journals and reviewing PhD studentship funding applications. He has also been involved in the organization of international conferences and has been invited to present at internationally established conferences in bioprocess, biopharmaceutical, and chemical engineering.

Dr. Santos da Silva's work has been recognized in numerous publications, including the Journal of Molecular Liquids, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, and the Journal of Chromatography A. His research has been supported by several grants, including those from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) in Brazil.

In addition to his academic and research contributions, Dr. Santos da Silva has also been involved in science popularisation and public engagement activities. He has contributed to Wikipedia articles, participated in the British Council's FameLab Brazil, and engaged with the public during the "Long Night of Science" in Magdeburg, Germany.

Dr. Santos da Silva's work is characterized by a deep commitment to advancing knowledge in his field, developing individuals and collaborations, supporting the research community, and engaging with the public.

Research Interests

Francisco’s scientific interests lay at the intersection between industrial bioprocesses, mathematical modelling, and data science. The central question guiding his research is how to reduce the uncertainty in chemical and biochemical process development and scale-up. This question has led him to develop new hybrid modelling techniques that incorporate solid first-principles and precise statistical inference to guide process development. Ultimately, his ambition is to reduce the development barriers for new and sustainable processes in the areas of food, chemical, and pharmaceutical production.

Links: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2360-1322

https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscovsssilva/

https://scholar.google.com.br/citations?user=RHecnKEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/643598