Gisela Cunha

Ana Gisela Guedes Nunes da Cunha, known as Gisela Cunha, has been based in Stockholm, Sweden, for the past decade, working at Stora Enso’s Innovation Centre for Biomaterials. Over these ten years, she progressed through several roles, most recently serving as Manager of Ideation within the Front-End Innovation in Biomaterials group.

“I am currently in an exciting period of transition; after an incredible decade of growth, I will be embarking on a new professional chapter soon,” Gisela shares.

How everything started: the first steps into research

I began my journey at CICECO in 2006 after being awarded a PhD grant from FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia). My PhD was in Chemistry, with specialization in Materials Chemistry. During this period, I focused on developing new materials through the heterogeneous chemical modification of cellulose, culminating in the defence of my doctoral dissertation in February 2011.

The work was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Carmen Freire and Prof. Dr. Armando Silvestre, with mentorship from Prof. Alessandro Gandini. My research on hydrophobic and lipophobic cellulose materials was carried out within the LignoMacro group (Materiais Lenhocelulósicos e Macromoleculares), led by Prof. Carlos Pascoal Neto. The work was also integrated into the academic–industrial collaboration programme IDPoR (Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Polímeros de Fontes Renováveis).

CICECO experience: the power of community

Aveiro holds a very special place in my memory. My years at CICECO were highly rewarding, defined by a strong atmosphere of curiosity and scientific commitment. I had the opportunity to work alongside dedicated and inspiring colleagues, many of whom remain close friends.

For me, the CICECO experience was fundamentally about community. We built a professional and personal support network where collaboration and growth were constant. The most significant aspect, in retrospect, was the balance between rigorous scientific work and a shared sense of purpose. This combination made my time in Aveiro particularly meaningful.

Work years: a transformative path

My international journey began in January 2011. Even before my PhD defense, I moved to Stockholm, Sweden, to join the Wallenberg Wood Science Centre at KTH (Royal Institute of Technology) for four life-changing years, working as a Post-Doc researcher in Prof. Lars Berglund’s Biocomposites’ group. This period included a productive year in Nantes, France, through a collaboration with INRA (National Institute for Agricultural Research), working alongside Dr. Bernard Cathala and Dr. Isabelle Capron. During those years, I channeled the expertise in chemical modification I gained at CICECO into developing bio-based nanomaterials for many different applications, from biocomposites to cosmetics, and I also had the privilege of co-supervising several Master students.
In 2015, I moved to Finland to join Prof. Orlando Rojas’s group at Aalto University. There, I applied my research to new bio-based substrates being developed in that group, while taking on a greater role in mentoring the next generation of PhD and Master students.
By 2016, I felt a strong calling to translate scientific discovery into “real-world” impact. I transitioned to industry, joining Stora Enso’s Innovation Centre for Biomaterials back in Stockholm. My career at Stora Enso has been a rewarding evolution from Research Chemist and Senior Specialist to Team Manager and, most recently, Manager Ideation for the Front-End Innovation in Biomaterials’ group.
As a Manager Ideation, I oversee the birth of new possibilities. My team and I have led the earliest stages of our internal innovation process, envisioning the future, identifying market needs, and spotting opportunities that can be transformed into new bio-based materials and emergent businesses. It is a thrilling space where simple ideas grow into strategic projects that ensure both the company’s longevity and a more sustainable future. Interacting with the startup ecosystem and diverse partners has made this work as exciting as it is rewarding.

Go beyond: explore Chemistry and the world

The expertise I gained in the chemical modification of natural materials was, without a doubt, the master key that opened doors to the international research community. It provided me with a niche specialization that remains relevant to this day.
However, beyond the chemistry itself, the most impactful skill I carried away from CICECO was analytical rigor. Learning to master complex characterization techniques and, more importantly, to interpret data systematically and critically, has been invaluable. In the world of innovation, “data is everything”, and the ability to extract meaningful, honest insights from it is what separates a good idea from a viable business. I am deeply grateful for this foundation; it gave me the technical confidence to start my career and the mental framework to lead innovation strategy today.

Advice for the next generation of scientists

My advice to the current and the next generation of CICECO researchers is to prioritize your community. Science can be demanding and, at times, overwhelming; building a supportive network where you can learn, inspire, and care for one another is not just a luxury, it is your safety net. Start building that network right there at CICECO, making the most of its wealth of people and resources.
Beyond the lab bench, I encourage you to stay restless. Take pride in questioning the status quo, remain fiercely curious, and embrace diversity of thought. In my experience, the best breakthroughs happen when we are open to honest feedback and collaborative thinking.
Furthermore, if you have the opportunity to spend time abroad, take it without hesitation. Stepping outside your comfort zone and immersing yourself in a different culture is the most enriching experience you can have. It will not only transform your research but, more importantly, it will transform the way you see the world.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, dare to have fun while you do your research. Life is too short, and we cannot afford not to enjoy every step of the journey. Let your passion be your guide!