Lina Vieira | Medicine and Health Sciences | Research Hypothesis Excellence Award

Prof Lina Vieira, ESTeSL/IPL, Portugal

Prof. Lina Vieira is a distinguished biomedical researcher and educator with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics from the University of Lisbon 🎓, awarded with Distinction and Honors 🏅. Her work primarily advances nuclear medicine, with a special focus on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and SPECT imaging 🧠❤️. She holds a professorial position at the Lisbon School of Health Technology, actively contributing to both teaching and scientific innovation 📚🔬. Prof. Vieira has led several EU-funded projects, including PIANOFORTE, focusing on safe, optimized radiology for vulnerable populations 🤰📡. Her research blends technology, biophysics, and human-centered approaches like anxiety reduction and music therapy in imaging 🧘‍♀️🎵. An award-winning author and supervisor, she has trained numerous graduate students and remains a leading voice in radiological safety and optimization ⚛️. Her scientific rigor, innovation, and societal impact make her an ideal candidate for the Research Hypothesis Excellence Award 🏆🔍.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Education

Prof. Lina Vieira earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics from the University of Lisbon in 2011 with Distinction and Honors 🎓🌟. Her thesis focused on optimizing myocardial perfusion studies using ECG-gated nuclear medicine imaging ❤️🧠. She also holds a Postgraduate Degree in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering (2005) and a Bachelor’s in Nuclear Medicine (2000) from the Lisbon School of Health Technology ⚛️📘. As part of her academic growth, she qualified through rigorous public examinations to become a Coordinating Professor in Nuclear Medicine within the Radiation Sciences and Biosignal Technologies Department at ESTeSL 👩‍🏫🧪. Her scholarly training is grounded in biophysics, imaging technology, and healthcare applications, forming a strong foundation for her future academic, research, and leadership achievements 🔬💡.

Experience

Prof. Vieira serves as a Coordinating Professor at the Lisbon School of Health Technology, leading Nuclear Medicine teaching and research initiatives 👩‍🏫🧠. She has been an integrated member of the Health & Technology Research Center since 2019, previously with the Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Lisbon 🧬📊. Her work spans across modeling, signal processing, and human-centered diagnostic imaging, including participation in CIMOSM and GI-MOSM research centers 🧠⚙️. Notably, she coordinates the EU-funded PIANOFORTE project on safe radiology for pregnant patients 🤰📡, and leads innovative research on anxiety and music’s impact on image quality 🎵😌. Prof. Vieira is a mentor to many MSc students and has supervised several dissertations on SPECT imaging, Parkinson’s diagnostics, and PET education 📚📝. Her cross-disciplinary expertise makes her a leader in merging clinical practice with scientific excellence 🏥🔍.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Vieira has received multiple prestigious awards honoring her innovative research in nuclear medicine and imaging technology 🏅📡. She earned the Best Scientific Article Award from Saúde & Tecnologia in 2018, 2017, and 2015 for studies on technologist exposure, myocardial perfusion, and PET/CT in melanoma surveillance 🎖️📘. Her paper, “Value of a Lower Limb Immobilization Device for Optimization of SPECT/CT Image Fusion,” was named one of the Top 3 Papers by JNMT in 2015 and recognized at the 2016 Annual SNMMI Congress in San Diego 🇺🇸✨. These accolades reflect her commitment to high-impact, hypothesis-driven research that enhances clinical outcomes and patient safety 🧠❤️. With consistent recognition over the years, Prof. Vieira continues to lead innovations in nuclear medicine, both theoretically and practically 🔬📈.

Research Focus

Prof. Vieira’s research centers on optimizing nuclear medicine imaging, particularly myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS), SPECT acquisition techniques, and patient-centered innovations in diagnostic imaging ❤️📸. She investigates the impact of psychophysiological variables, such as anxiety, on image quality and explores non-pharmacological interventions like music therapy to improve patient outcomes 🎶🧘‍♂️. A strong advocate for radiological safety, she spearheads projects like PIANOFORTE, which targets personalized radiology for pregnant patients 🤰⚛️. She also delves into educational methodologies, evaluating the effect of videos and social media in communicating ionizing radiation risks effectively 📲🧠. Her interdisciplinary focus combines engineering, patient psychology, radiological science, and public communication—making her work vital for improving both technical precision and patient experience in medical imaging 💡🩺. Her hypothesis-driven approach is rooted in measurable impacts, clinical relevance, and ethical responsibility 🔍📐.

Publication Top Notes

📄 Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy: Impact of Anxiety on Image Quality (JPM, 2025 – submitted)
📄 Potential Benefits of Social Media in Educating Healthcare Professionals and Students on Medical Imaging with Ionizing Radiation (Radiography Journal, 2025)
📄 Effects of a Music-Based Intervention on Psychophysiological Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Imaging Procedures: A Systematic Review (Radiography Journal, 2024)
📄 Effectiveness of Educational Videos on Patient’s Preparation for Diagnostic Procedures: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preventive Medicine Reports, 2022)

Education

From October 2021, a part-time PhD student at UCL’s Ear Institute focused on olfactory dysfunction in chronic respiratory diseases. Clinical Fellow at the Royal National Throat, Nose & Ear Hospital, London. Delivered oral presentations at ERS Thessaloniki 2021 on nasal septal perforation repair and the triple-layer technique. Earned a diploma in Otorhinolaryngology from the University of Padova with magna cum laude honors. Actively engaged in various courses, including Balloon Sinuplasty in Guildford and Smell and Taste 11 in Dresden. Member of ENT UK and the British Rhinological Society, with scientific habilitation in Italy. ✨👃📚💼

Experience

From October 2023 to October 2024, the user works as a Senior Clinical Fellow at St George’s University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery, focusing on rhinology and anterior skull base procedures. From February 2019 to October 2023, they held a similar role at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, part of University College London Hospitals. Since October 2019, they have also been pursuing a PhD in the Ear Institute at University College London, focusing on research. Previously, from December 2014 to December 2018, they trained as a resident in Otolaryngology at the University of Padova. 🎓🩺📊

Expertise and Contributions

Mr. Pendolino has extensive clinical and academic experience in Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgery, particularly in rhinology and anterior skull base procedures. His work spans senior clinical fellowships at prestigious institutions like St. George’s University Hospital and the Royal National Throat, Nose, and Ear Hospital, combined with a PhD research focus on olfactory dysfunction at the University College London (UCL). This academic engagement showcases his commitment to advancing medical science, specifically in rhinology.

Notable Research and Publications

He has contributed significantly to academic research, authoring several impactful papers on topics such as nasal septal perforation repair, cocaine-induced destructive lesions, and smell loss related to COVID-19. His recent publications in high-impact journals such as Diagnostics and Laryngoscope address both clinical outcomes and advanced ENT techniques, demonstrating a broad impact on both scientific understanding and patient care.

Continuous Learning and Development

Throughout his career, Mr. Pendolino has pursued a range of certifications and courses, from endoscopic skull base surgery to rhinoplasty, which highlights his dedication to continual professional development. His involvement in international conferences, including oral communications and workshops, further positions him as a leader in his field.