Paula Brandão graduated in Biological Engineer from the University of Minho in 1993.

Completed a phD degree in Inorganic Chemistry with title "Synthesis structure and reactivity of novel microporous materials", from the Department of Chemistry in University of Aveiro in January of 1999.

In February of 1999, started a post-doc position at UMIST/Manchester/England working in project entitled “Catalytic activity of novel heteogeneous microporous catalysts for petroleum industry application”.

Paula Brandão has been a research assistant in the Aveiro institute of Materials (CICECO) since June 2009 until May 2014 and research assistant at TEMA−NRD, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Aveiro since june 2014 until May 2015.

Actually Paula is responsible for the single crystal X-ray diffraction laboratory, its maintenance, as well as the training of the new users, contributing to the knowledge of the students not only to handle the single crystal X-ray machine but also in solving structures using different methodologies.

Simultaneously to the research on crystallography, Paula Brandão started to develop independent research including design, synthesis and characterisation of:

Polinuclear Cu and Fe complexes with different bio-ligands (DNA bases, Vitamin B₃ and Vitamin B₁), and polypyridyl ligands as alternative anti-tumoral drugs including cytotoxic and DNA studies;

Bio-metal-organic frameworks as potential delivery vehicles for therapeutic nitric oxide;

Multinuclear transition metal compounds (Cu, Co, Mn, and Fe) with important magnetic properties to be used in quantum information at room temperature.

- "Novel Smart multi-funcional transition metal-rare earth

 – “Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide into valuable hydrocarbon products” (Financial support PTDC/QUI/72584/2006, from 01-01-2008 to 31-12-2011)

– Mesoporous hybrid organic-inorganic materials– (Financial support POCI/CTM/55648/2004, from 01-05-2006 to 30-04-2009)

- S. Banerjee, P. Ghorai, P. Brandão, D. Ghosh, S. Bhuiya, D. Chattopadhyay, S. Das, A. Saha, “Syntheses, crystal structures, DNA binding, DNA cleavage, molecular docking and DFT study of Cu(II) complexes involving N₂O₄ donor azo Schiff base ligands”, New Journal of Chemistry, 2018, 42, 246-259. DOI: 10.1039/c7nj03293e

- B. Anacleto, P. Gomes, A. Correia-Branco, C. Silva, F. Martel, P. Brandão, “Design, structural characterization and cytotoxic properties of copper (I) and copper (II) complexes formed by vitamin B₃ type”, Polyhedron, 2017, 138, 277-286,  DOI:10.1016/j.poly.2017.09.030

- R.V. Pinto, F. Antunes, J. Pires, V. Graça, P. Brandão, M.L. Pinto, “Vitamin B₃ metal-organic frameworks as potential delivery vehicles for therapeutic nitric oxide”, Acta Biomateriala, 2017, 51, 66-74, DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.01.039

- B.J.M.L. Ferreira, P. Brandão,  M. Meireles, F. Martel, A. Correia-Branco, D. M: Fernandes, T.M., Santos, V. Félix, “Synthesis, structural characterization, cytotoxic properties and DNA binding of a dinuclear copper(II) complex”, Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 2016, 161, 9-17, DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2016.04.026

- C. Cruz, D. Soares Pinto, P. Brandão, A. M. dos Santos, M. S. Reis,  “Carboxylate-based molecular magnet: One path toward achieving stable quantum correlations at room temperature”,  EPL, 2016, 113, 40004, DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/113/40004