Mykaella Mestre is a PhD candidate at Hovione in partnership with the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences at Instituto Superior Técnico. She holds an Integrated Master's degree in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from NOVA School of Science and Technology.
Her research focuses on developing and qualifying advanced in vitro platforms for inhaled drug delivery by combining a range of cell culture models with biorelevant aerosol exposure. Her work aims to better understand macrophage–formulation interactions and their impact on the bioavailability, efficacy and safety of inhaled medicines. By combining inhalation science and cell-based models, she seeks to support the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that enable more predictive preclinical evaluation and the rational design of inhalable dry powder formulations. Ultimately, she aims to enable particle engineering strategies that modulate macrophage responses and improve the performance of inhaled medicines.
Throughout her PhD, Mykaella has presented her research at international scientific meetings, including the Respiratory Drug Delivery (RDD) Conference, as well as at internal scientific meetings within Hovione. Her work reflects a multidisciplinary approach spanning inhalation science, aerosol characterization, particle engineering and advanced in vitro model development.
