Maria Helena Pimentel is a distinguished academic and researcher with a strong foundation in nursing and a profound commitment to the advancement of health sciences, particularly in the fields of gerontology and pediatrics. Currently serving as a Coordinating Professor at the School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB), she also plays an active role in institutional governance as a member of the Scientific and Technical Council of both the School and IPB.

With over three decades of professional experience, Maria Helena holds a PhD in Sociology of Health from the University of Minho, a Master’s in Nursing from the University of Porto, and a comprehensive background in clinical nursing and education. She has held key leadership positions including Director of the School of Health at IPB and Director of the Gerontology Program, demonstrating her commitment to both educational excellence and the development of healthcare practices.

Her research involvement spans multiple national and international projects, focusing on aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and healthcare education innovation. She represents IPB in several high-impact collaborative initiatives such as NEURO_QUALYFAM, AgeNortC, and the Erasmus+ program for innovative nursing skills.

Maria Helena is also an active contributor to academic publishing, serving on editorial boards of respected journals, and frequently participates as a reviewer and thesis supervisor at the doctoral and master’s levels. Through her international partnerships with institutions in Spain, Romania, and across Portugal, she fosters cross-border collaboration in health science research and education.

Her dedication to student well-being, quality of life in aging populations, and the future of healthcare education continues to influence policy, research, and academic development both nationally and internationally.