02-04-2026
On April 1, David Aragão, a NOVA FCT alumnus, was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology—the organization's highest distinction—for his outstanding contributions to advancing the biological sciences.
The panel highlighted his career as a senior instrument scientist, his role in developing Lipidic Cubic Phase (LCP) techniques for crystallography of complex membrane proteins, and his contributions to numerous scientific publications, including Nature.
Holding a degree in Applied Chemistry from NOVA FCT and currently working as Senior Beamline Scientist at the Diamond Light Source particle accelerator in the UK, Aragão had already been awarded Fellow of the British Crystallographic Association (FBCA) in 2024 for his 20 years of dedication to the crystallography community.
"My undergraduate years at NOVA FCT were intense, both academically and socially, and represented tremendous personal growth that enabled me to shine internationally. NOVA FCT gave me not only excellent chemistry training but also very strong foundations in mathematics and physics. This multidisciplinary background proved essential for the field I specialized in—X-ray crystallography and instrument science—where biophysics is the pillar of everything we do," said David Aragão.
The Royal Society of Biology recognition reinforces the global impact of NOVA FCT's training and the contributions of its alumni to international scientific progress.
