Hélder A. Santos is a physical chemist specialized in electrochemistry, biological mimetic models and soft interfaces. In 2003, he obtained his MSc in Chemistry from the Department of Chemistry, University of Porto (Portugal). In 2007, he obtained his DSc in Chem. Eng. from the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Helsinki University of Technology (Finland, now named Aalto University). In 2007, Dr. Santos joined the University of Helsinki, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, as a Postdoctoral Fellow. In 2009, he was appointed Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Research Fellow.
Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor (Docent) in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, an Academy of Finland Research Fellow (Associate Researcher), University Researcher, and Principal Investigator/Group Leader at the Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Helsinki. He is also the Head of the Unit of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Chemical Microsystems (NAMI). In 2012, Dr. Santos received the ERC starting grant for 2013-2017 worth of 1.5 M€.
Dr. Santos' research is focused on nanobiomaterials, including nanoporous silica/silicon materials, liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery, diagnostics and therapy. He is the author/co-author of more than 170 publications (> 2912 citations, h-index = 33), 17 book chapters and more than 170 conference proceedings/abstracts, in a total of more tha 366 publications. He has supervised several undergraduate students and more than 43 MSc students. He supervised/co-supervised more than 28 PhD students, mentor of 16 post-docs, and is currently the supervisor of 12 PhD students and mentor of 5 post-doctoral researchers. He has also given more than 100 invited/selected talks in national/international meetings/conferences/lectures. In 2010, he received the "Talent Prize in Science" awarded by the Portuguese Government (TV-broadcasted for more than 15 million people), in 2013 and 2014 he received the Young Researcher Award 2013 and was distinguished by the exceptional scientific productivity, respectively, by the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Helsinki, and in 2016 he was awarded the Academy of Finland Award for Social Impact. He has several national and international research collaborations in the areas of biomedical nano/micro-technology, controlled drug delivery, nanomedicine and cancer therapy, and innovative therapeutic modalities. He has acted as invited Guest Editor for Current Drug Discovery Technologies, Current Drug Metabolism and Biomatter journals. He is also an active referee for more than 100 international journals and evaluator for 18 international research foundations). Dr. Santos is also an Editorial Board Member for the journals of Drug Delivery Letters, Biomatter, International Journal of Nanotechnology and Nanoscience, Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, World Journal of Pharmacology, and Journal of Biopharmaceutics and Biotechnology. He is also the Editor of a recently launched Mesoporous Biomaterials journal, Academic Editor of BioMed Research International and PLOS ONE, and Editor of the book entitled "Porous Silicon for Biomedical Applications" (published), Woodhead Publishing/Elsevier, 2014.
Dr. Santos’ research career and development portfolio since 2009 totals over 4.1 M€ (European Research Council, Academy of Finland, Tekes, CIMO, Biocentrum Helsinki, Finish Cultural Foundation, University of Helsinki Research Funds, etc.).
Dr. Santos’ has also been the chair and coordinator of the courses Solid State Analysis of Pharmaceutics, Advance Seminars in Pharmaceutical Technology and Laboratory Experience within a Research Group.
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POSITIONS
2014–current – Head of the Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Chemical Microsystems (NAMI) Unit, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki.
2011–2017 – Docent, Principal Investigator & Academy of Finland Research Fellow, Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki.
2009–2011 – Academy of Finland Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki.
2007–2009 – Post-doctoral Researcher, Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki.
2005–2007 – Doctor of Science in Technology, Department of Chemical Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Helsinki University of Technology, September 2007. Final Grade: cum laude.
2003–2005 – Licentiate of Science in Technology, Department of Chemical Technology, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Helsinki University of Technology, November 2005. Final Grade: cum laude.
Doctor and Licentiate degree supervised by Docent Lasse Murtomäki and Prof. Kyösti Kontturi
1999–2003 –Graduated in Chemistry (Licentiate Degree), Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, University of Porto, Faculty of Sciences, July 2003. Final Grade: 15 (Good, 0–20 scale).
Graduation final work supervised by Prof. Eng. António F. Silva and Prof. Carlos M. Pereira
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1.1.2014–31.12.2016 – TEKES, Finland. Dr. Hélder A. Santos (Partner).
1.1.2014–31.12.2016 – Biocentrum Helsinki, University of Helsinki Research Funds. P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki).
1.1.2013–31.12.2017 – University of Helsinki Research Funds. P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki).
1.1.2013–31.12.2017 – European Research Council (Multistage-multifunctional porous silicon nanovectors for directed Theranostics, #310892). P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki).
1.8.2012–31.3.2013 – CIMO (Nanoporous silicon for targeted immunotherapy, #TM-12-8201). P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki).
1.9.2011–31.8.2016 – Academy of Finland (Porous silicon nanodelivery systems for enhanced targeted cancer therapy, NANOPSi-CAN-Project #252215). P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki).
1.2.2010–31.12.2013 – The National Doctoral Programme in Nanoscience - NGS-NANO (Biofunctionalization of porous silicon nanoparticles for brain cancer therapy). P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki).
1.1.2009–31.12.2011 – University of Helsinki Research Funds (Biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of nanoporous silicon based materials, BioNanoPSi-Project #490039). P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki).
1.1.2009–1.12.2011 – Academy of Finland (In vitro/in vivo toxicity and bioavailability of mesoporous silica/silicon based materials, VIVOTOXSi-Project #127099). P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki).
1.1.2008–31.12.2008 – Academy of Finland (Mesoporous silicon based composite materials as oral drug delivery systems, ComPSi-Project #122314). P.I.: Prof. Jouni Hirvonen (University of Helsinki).
1.1.2008–31.12.2008 – Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH (Germany) (Towards enhanced bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs utilizing PSi, ENBIPSi-Project). P.I.: Prof. Jouni Hirvonen (University of Helsinki).
1.4.2007–31.12.2007 – Academy of Finland (Mesohuokoiset materiaalit oraalisessa lääkeannostelussa, HUMALA-Project #211048). P.I.: Prof. Jouni Hirvonen (University of Helsinki).
1.3.2006–31.3.2007 – Finnish Ministry of Education and Academy of Finland through ESPOM graduate school, P.I.: Prof. Kyösti Kontturi (Helsinki University of Technology).
22.9.2003–28.2.2006 – Training and Mobility Research EU network “Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Interfacial Nanostructures” (SUSANA), RTN, IHP programme of the EU, contract number HPRN-CT-2002-00185, P.I.: Prof. Kyösti Kontturi (Helsinki University of Technology); Network Coord.: Prof. Han J. Vos (Dublin City University).
Other participants of the network were: University of Limerick, University of Amsterdam, University of Dublin, Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne, University of Valencia, University of Nottingham, University of Liverpool, University of Porto, Technical University of Denmark, University of Warwick, and University of Bonn.
Important research reports:
Hélder A. Santos, Scientific report for the chemical Finish company KEMIRA, January 2006, Helsinki, Finland.
Hélder A. Santos, Annual scientific report for the research and training EU commision – SUSANA network, August 2005, European Commission.
Hélder A. Santos, Annual scientific report for the research and training EU commision – SUSANA network, April 2004, European Commission.
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13. Project evaluator for The Life Sciences Research, Ministry of Science, Technology & Space, Israel. June–July 2014.
12. Doctoral thesis reviewer (Chemistry), "Influence of surface functionalization on the behavior of silica nanoparticles in biological systems”, Spring 2014, Department of Natural Sciences, Åbo Akademi University, Finland.
11. Project evaluator for The Austrian Science Fund, Austria. January–February 2014.
10. Doctoral thesis reviewer (Chemistry), "Metal catalyzed coupling of amine and alcohol surrogates with aryl halides: efficient synthesis of anilines and phenols", Autumn 2013, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Bharathidasan University, India.
9. Opponent of Doctoral Thesis (Chemistry), "Characterization and optimization of electrochemical sensors for biogenic amines", 12.4.13, University of Porto, Portugal. Final decision: Approved with honors.
8. Project evaluator for "The Daniel Shiran Memorial Research Prize 2013" in Biomedicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel (December 2012).
7. Opponent of Master Thesis (Pharmacy), "Understanding the mechanism of protein intestinal permeation by using enterocyte-based in vitro co-culture cells", 17.12.12, Instituto Superior de Ciências de Saúde - Norte, Gandra, Portugal. Final decision: Approved; Grade 19/20.
6. Opponent of Master Thesis (Pharmacy), "Characterization and in vitro evaluation of dual drug loaded porous Si particles", 26.10.12, University of Pavia, Italy. Final decision: Approved; Grade: Excellent.
5. Project evaluator of Docentship (Adjunct Professorship; Chem. Eng.) application, Department of Natural Sciences, Åbo Akademi University, Finland (October 2012). Final decision: Approved.
4. Project evaluator for The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), The Netherlands. Cooperation in research between India and the Netherlands - Functional materials call, December 2012.
3. Project evaluator for The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), Switzerland. Center of Excellence proposal, March 2012.
2. Project evaluator for Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Belgium. Post-doctoral research visit project, July 2011 (accepted for funding).
1. Project evaluator for The Leverhulme Trust, UK. Proposal accepted for funding, March 2010.
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7. Harvard University, Experimental Soft Condensed Matter Group, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences/Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA visiting researcher, February–March 2008, Germany (Group leader: Prof. David A. Weitz).
6. Saarland University, Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, visiting researcher, February–March 2008, Germany (Group leader: Prof. Claus-Michael Lehr).
5. Univeristy of Porto, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Department of Chemistry, EU SUSANA project: General Meeting (through the EU Training and Mobility programme), June 2005, Portugal (Group leader: Prof. Eng. Antonio F. Silva).
4. Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Laboratory of Electrochemical Physics and Analytical, EU SUSANA project: Young Researchers Meeting (through the EU Training and Mobility programme), March 2005, Switzerland (Group leader: Prof. Hubert Girault).
3. Univeristy of Warwick, Division of Electrochemistry and Interfaces, Department of Chemistry, EU SUSANA project: Scientific Mid-Term Meeting (through the EU Training and Mobility programme , June 2004, England (Group leader: Prof. Patrick Unwin).
2. Univeristy of Liverpool, Laboratory of Electrochemistry and Nanochemistry, Department of Chemistry, EU SUSANA project: Young Researchers Meeting (through the EU Training and Mobility programme), February 2004, England (Research group leader: Prof. David Schiffrin).
1. University of Kuopio, Department of Pharmaceutics, visiting researcher, December 2003, Finland (Group leader: Prof. Arto Urtti).
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Major Subjects
Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Bio-electrochemistry, Nanotechnology, Pharmaceutics, Biomaterials, Porous Silica / Silicon
Biomimetic Systems
Structure of complex interfaces (amphiphiles, peptides, proteins, polymers, clusters, nanoparticles glycosaminoglycans)
Polymers/peptides/glycosaminoglycans/proteins/nanoparticles-lipid/liposome interactions
Ion and drug transfer across model membranes
Chemistry and Physics in Confined Space
Air/liquid and liquid/liquid interfacial systems
Physicochemical processes at surfaces of model membranes
Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of glycosaminoglycans-functionalised nanoparticles
Thermodynamic parameters of glycosaminoglycans binding to drug molecules
Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology
Controlled and targeted drug delivery: nanoporous silica / silicon micro- and nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Analytical analysis (e.g., HPLC, etc), flourescent- and luminescent-based in vitro assays, cell culturing for in vitro tests (Caco-2, RAW 264.7 macrophages, etc), cellular uptake and toxicity assays, etc.
Techniques/Instrumentation of Expertise (among others)
Langmuir–Blodgett, ac impedance/voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, isothermal titration calorimetry, UV-Vis, GC, HPLC, TEM, SEM, SECM, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, cell culturing, dissolution and permeation methods, ELISA assays, etc.
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REVIEWER IN INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS / RESEARCH FOUNDATIONS (106)
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces , Langmuir, Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Bioconjugate Chemistry, Chemistry - A European Journal, Journal of Controlled Release, Drug Delivery Letters, European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Molecular Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Research, Current Drug Discovery Technologies, Journal Biomedical Chromatography, Journal of Chromatography B, Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, Expert Opinion On Drug Metabolism and Toxicology, Drug Discovery Today, WIREs Nanomedicine & Nanobiotechnology, Journal of Nano Research, Journal of Materials Research, Acta Biomaterialia, Nanotoxicology, Toxicology Research, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, Particle and Fibre Toxicology, Small, Clinica Chimica Acta, Current Medicinal Chemistry, Journal of Nanopharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, Therapeutic Delivery, RSC Advances, Chemical Reviews, Macromolecular Bioscience, Biomaterials Science, Journal of Materials Chemistry B, Dalton Transactions, Chemical Research in Toxicology, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, Current Drug Delivery, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry, Biomaterials, Nanomedicine, Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, Journal of Tissue Engineering, ACS Nano, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects, Nanoscale Research Letters, Chemical Communications, Biomacromolecules, Current Drug Targets, Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Advanced Health Materials, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, Chemical Engineering Journal, Biotechnology Advances, Scientific Reports, Enzyme and Microbial Technology, Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, International Journal of Nanomedicine, Macromolecular Rapid Communications, European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, PLOS ONE, Journal of Membrane Science, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Silicon, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Lab on a Chip, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Molecular Therapy, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Nano Today, Chemical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Patent Analyst
Porous Semiconductors-Science and Technology (PSST) Conferences - 2014, 10th World Biomaterials Congress (WBC2016)
Springer Science+Business Media, Future Science ebooks, Chandos Publishing, Woodhead Publishing, Elsevier: Micro and Nano Technologies Series, Wiley-VCH (Books)
The Leverhulme Trust, UK; Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Belgium; The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), Switzerland; The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), The Netherlands; Slovenian Research Agency, Slovenia; ARC French Foundation for Cancer Research, France; European Research Council (ERC) Starting and consolidator Grants, 2014 and 2015 (European Commission); European Science Foundation; Diabetes UK; Dutch Arthritis Foundation, Netherlands; The Research Institute for Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Portugal, Dutch Arthritis Foundation, The Nerthlands, Wellcome Trust, UK, Medical Research Council, UK, Canada Council for the Arts–Killam
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The Finnish Association of Pharmacy Teachers and Researchers (FOTY ry), Controlled Release Society (CRS), Finnish Society of Physical Pharmacy, European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences (EUFEPS, 2012-2014), Finnish Pharmaceutical Society, Pharmaceutical Solid State Research Cluster (PSSRC), European Society for Biomaterials (ESB), European Society for Nanomedicine (ESNM), American Society for Nanomedicine (AENM), Society for Biomaterials (SFB), American Nano Society (ANS), Viikki Drug Discovery Program, Cancer Society of Finland, The European Society for Translational Medicine (EUSTM),
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23. Training: "Leadership Program for Academic Staff", Autumn 2013 - Spring 2014, University of Helsinki, Finland.
22. Training: "University pedagogy IV – Assessment of Learning, Spring 2013 (5 cr), Centre for Research and Development of Higher Education, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland. Final Grade: Excellent.
21. Training: "Research Ethics", University of Helsinki, 13th January 2011, University of Helsinki, Finland.
20. Training: "Workshop on Teaching Methods and their Cultural Underpinnings", Helsinki Education and Research Area (HERA), 14&26 October 2010, University of Helsinki, Finland.
19. Course: "Supervision and Guidance in Higher Education", Spring 2010 (5 cr), Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Centre for Research and Development of Higher Education, University of Helsinki, Finland. Grade: 5 (Excellent).
18. Course: "University Pedagogy I", Spring 2010 (10 cr), Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Centre for Research and Development of Higher Education, University of Helsinki, Finland. Grade: 5 (Excellent).
17. Training: "Full Costing Model", 26.01.2010, Info Centre, Viikki Campus, University of Helsinki, Finland.
16. Course: "The ABC of Animal Experiments 2010 – FELASA Accredited Scientists' Competence (Category C)", 4–15 January 2010, Viikki Campus, University of Helsinki, Finland.
15. Training: "First Aid: theory and practice" (Red Cross, 6h), 7th December 2009, Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland.
14. Training: "Managing Staff and Finances", 26 November 2009, Viikki Campus (Biocentre 2), University of Helsinki, Finland.
13. Course: "New materials, applications and commercialization 2009", 10–11 / 21–23 September 2009, Micronova, Helsinki University of Technology, Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland.
12. Certification in the practice of Industrial Hygiene (IH) by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (3.5 certification maintenance (CM) points). Approval Number: 09-3557; Course Name/Location: 4th International Conference on Nanotechnology, Helsinki, Finland; Sponsor: Occupational and Environmental Health; Start/End Date & MultiOffering Year 26/8–29/8/2009.
11. Conference: 4th International Conference on Nanotechnology – Occupational and Environmental Health, 26–29 August 2009, Paasitorni, Helsinki, Finland.
10. Finnish Graduate School in Toxicology course: "Cell Culture Techniques and Alternative Methods in Toxicology II", 13–14 November 2008, Cell Research Centre, Medical School, University of Tampere, Finland.
9. Training: " How to Write a Competitive Proposal for Framework 7" by Dr. Sean McCarthy, 3rd September 2008, University of Helsinki, Finland.
8. Graduate School Electrochemical Science and Technology of Polymers and Membranes including Biomembranes (ESPOM) course: "Structures Self-assembling Amphiphile Structures Relevant in Nanomedicine", 22nd January 2008, University of Helsinki, Viikki–Drug Discovery and Development Technology Center (DDTC), Finland.
7. Graduate School ESPOM course: "Nanothechnology in Drug Research and Development", February 2006, University of Helsinki, Viikki–Drug Discovery and Development Technology Center (DDTC), Finland.
6. Course: "Introductory Statistical Mechanics, Molecular Biophysics, Nano-thermodynamics, and Bioelectrochemistry", October 2005, Helsinki University of Technology, Helsinki, Finland.
5. Graduate School ESPOM, summer school: "Fundamentals of Electroanalytical Chemistry and Electrochemical Sensors", August 2005, Helsinki University of Technology, Seili¬Turku, Finland.
4. Graduate School ESPOM, course: "Computational, Cell Culture and Physicochemical Methods in Preclinical Pharmacokinetics", December 2004, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
3. "Symposium in Safety Chemistry", February 2003, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
2. Training: "Laboratories of High Risk: High Security", April 2002, Superior Institute of Engineering of Porto (ISEP), Porto, Portugal.
1. Training: "Sampling and Preparation of Samples", March 2001, ISEP, Porto, Portugal.