Conference Sex Differences in Health:
From Clinical Practice to Biomedical Research and
Drug Design
The NOVAHealth launches the Conference “Sex Differences in Health: From Clinical Practice
to Biomedical Research and Drug Design”.
This conference will explore how biological sex and gender influence health outcomes across the lifespan.
Experts from diverse fields will discuss differences in disease risk, diagnosis, treatment response, and prevention strategies between women and men.
By highlighting the importance of sex-based research and clinical approaches, the event aims to promote more personalized and effective healthcare for all.
The academic community and NOVAHealth partners are invited.
MISSION
Sex is a fundamental biological variable that decisively affects physiology, behavior, disease processes, and responses to treatments. The term “biological sex” encompasses a variety of genetic, hormonal, and anatomical characteristics that classify individuals as male or female. Although the inclusion of both sexes is essential for rigorous, reproducible, and responsible research, most fundamental and preclinical biomedical studies have been conducted without due consideration of the sex of experimental models.
The predominance of male experimental models, including cell lines and animal models, cuts across virtually all biological disciplines, from neuroscience to pharmacology and physiology. This persistent bias has hindered the understanding of conditions that more commonly affect women, potentially contributing to the lack of effective therapeutic developments. Moreover, the general underrepresentation of both sexes in preclinical research has been associated with a higher incidence of adverse drug reactions in one sex, likely due to an inadequate understanding of sex-specific differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
In this context, there is an urgent need to raise awareness about the importance of considering Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) and to strengthen its application in biomedical research and clinical practice. This conference aims to provide an evidence-based overview of the main pathophysiological differences between women and men, their influence on health and disease, and their implications for clinical practice, biomedical research, and health policies.
SUBMISSIONS
Authors interested in presenting their research may do so on the dates indicated below, following the respective recommendations and instructions. Instructions and selection criteria in the call for abstracts, posters or oral presentation.
The best poster will be rewarded with a prize.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Deadline: October 31th, 2025
SUBMISSION
Deadline: October 25th, 2025
CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE
Deadline: October 31th, 2025
Any additional questions send an email to novasaude@unl.pt
PROGRAM
9.00h: Rector of Universidade Nova de Lisboa – Professor Paulo Pereira
Opening Remarks
9.10h: Session 1 – Understanding Sex Differences in Clinical Practice and Biomedical Research
9.10h: Keynote Speaker – Professor Ana Teresa Timóteo (NMS|FCM)
Female disadvantage in Health – focus on cardio vascular medicine
9.50h: Speaker: Professor Catarina Delaunay (NOVA FCSH)
The Co-Construction of Gender and Health: Insights from the Social Sciences
10.05h: Spearker: Professor Rita Oliveira (NMS|FCM)
Sex Matters in Translational Metabolism: The Role of Extracellular resicles in Obesity
10.20h: [Abstract Selecter] Investigator Diogo Sequeira (NMS|FCM)
Galectin-3/α-Klotho Imbalance unveils Sex-Specific Peritoneal Fibrosis Risk
10.35h: [Abstract Selecter] Investigator Juliana Gonçalves (NMS|FCM)
Long-term sex differences in symptoms and immune profile in Long COVID
10.50h: Coffee Break
11.10h: Session 2 – Translating the Potencial of Sex Differences into Drug Design
11.10h: Keynote Speaker – Professor Isabel Fernandes (NMS|FCM)
Understanding sex diferences in cancer clinical practice and biomedical research
11.50h: Speaker: Professor Giacomo Domenici (ITQB NOVA)
Development and application of Breast Cancer Microenvironment Models for Antibody and Anti-Endocrine Research
12.05h: Speaker: Professor Sofia Pereira (NMS|FCM)
Giving an old drug new tricks by uncovering sex-specific issues
12.20h: Speaker: Professor Miguel Goulão (NOVA FCT)
Gender Balance in Computer Science
12.35h: [Abstract Selecter] Investigator Mafalda Soares (NOVA FCT)
X-linked transcriptome dysregulation across immune cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
12.50h: [Abstract Selecter] Investigator Sofia Pinto (NMS|FCM)
Urinary Cysteine Profiles Reveal Sex Differences in Patients with Kidney Stone Disease
13.05h – Lunch
14.30h: Session 3 – Leveraging Sex Differences into Policy-Making
14.30h: Keynote Speaker – Professor Julian Perelman (ENSP NOVA)
Sex and gender differences in health and healthcare: between biology and socioeconomic context
15.10h: Speaker: Professor Maria Rita Pessoa (ENSP NOVA)
From model organisms to clinical practice: how sex bias in research cascades into policy
15.25h: Speaker: Professor Alexandra Vasconcelos (IHMT NOVA)
Sex Differences in Adverse Drug Events
15.45h: Coffee Break
16.15h: Pfizer – Doutor Nuno Martins Machado
Clinical Development Pathway through Diversity and Equity
16.30h: Best Poster Award
16.40h: Concluding Remarks
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
CHRONIC DISEASE AND INFECTION
HEALTH SYSTEMS AND POLICIES
DRUG DISCOVERY AND ADVANCED THERAPIES
HELENA SOARES
(NMS|FCM)
MARIA MIRAGAIA
(ITQB NOVA)
PAULA VIDEIRA
(NOVA FCT)
GONÇALO FIGUEIREDO AUGUSTO
(ENSP NOVA)
CATARINA BRITO
(ITQB NOVA)
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
ALEXANDRA FERNANDES
(NOVA FCT)
MARIA MIRAGAIA
(ITQB NOVA)
PAULO PAIXÃO
(NMS|FCM)
LILIANA RODRIGUES
(IHMT NOVA)
OUR CONFERENCES
SPEAKERS
NOVAHealth – Chronic and Infectious Diseases
Chronic and infectious diseases are one of the major global human health problems that include neurodegeneration, inflammation, immunological dysregulation, and old and emerging microbial infectious diseases. Chronic diseases have been leveraged by the longer human lifespan, while globalization, migrations, exponential increasing of travellers have been associated with an alarming escalade of microbes that are resistant to antibiotics. NOVA Saúde Chronic Disease and Infection Group promotes research, evidence-based knowledge and awareness to develop new effective and sustainable approaches and solutions to these problems. The group fosters academic and social discussion in order to respond to the daily challenges pose to patients, as well as, to the health systems and their professionals.
NOVAHealth – Health Systems and Policies
National and International comparative research in health systems and health policies, with an emphasis in: leadership and governance, service delivery, health system financing, health workforce, medical products, vaccines and technologies and health information systems.
NOVAHealth – Drug Discovery and Advanced Therapies
Ttthe discovery and development of drugs, biopharmaceuticals, and advanced therapies are essential for identifying new or improved treatments for human diseases. In this context, the concerted and integrative application of scientific knowledge, cutting-edge technologies, and collaborative efforts are vital to finding, designing, testing, optimizing, and developing bioprocesses for novel medicines that can prevent symptoms and cure various medical conditions.
