Mariana

Santos-Silva

Researcher and entrepreneur

Bridging science with entrepreneurship, sustainably.

Initiatives

Let's talk

Read my interview to WUR (2025) Watch my Interview to StartHub (2021)

I collaborate with and advise companies, researchers, and NGOs in their initiatives and campaigns

Working with youth from diverse countries for more than 10 years, I soon discovered the power of cultural and knowledge exchange initiatives.

As a researcher and educator, I've been pursuing my purpose for teaching by shaping my skills in education, specially non-formal, while exploring and connecting with cultures though out the world.

I have also had experiences in the entrepreneurship sector, creating my first startup in 2021 and my second in 2022. Yet, it has been in the NGOs reality that I found a way to bridge not just my academic knowledge with my entrepreneurial skills, but also my artistic side.

Previous events

June 2024

Understanding "impact" can be quite complex, as it is often perceived differently in academic and
business contexts. This lack of connection frequently results in misunderstandings and missed opportunities.

Defining something often requires first figuring out what it is not. That is why, together with my staudents, we have chosen to discuss what does not constitute impact.

With a panel with academics and business experts, we explored different perspective on
'What is not impact, how not to achieve impact."

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October 2023

I had the chance to attend a conference on STEM & Digitalization of Education at Tokat, Turkey.

It was my very first conference as PhD student, where I gave my first talk too! I shared with other colleagues and teachers from various countries and backgrounds about my research topic. The feedback was great!

John Taylor | DRAPN
May 2024

I had the privilege of participating in a training course on non-formal education, on the shores of the wonderful Lake Ohrid, Macedonia.
An intense week of learning and sharing of best-practices with a diverse group of teachers, activists, educators and social workers.
These colleagues were representing organizations from Turkey, Latvia, France, Macedonia, Armenia and Portugal.

I couldn't have asked for a more inspiring group! I have to say our facilitator Marjia also did a great job organizing the workshops and training us 😊

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July 2024

Have you ever imagind to walk the Caminho de Santiago without any money, food, tent, or limited lcothes? Me neither but I did it! And it was a valuable experience.

I must say the Caminho is a very introspective and challenging experience, yet having by my side an incredible group of strangers (now friends), made all the difference in motivating me through the roughest parts to finish the Caminho.

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August 2024

Together with my friend and colleague Márcia, I have a podcast where we have been discussing our adventures and learnings during our twenties (and now thirties!).

Since we are both in the last stretch of our PhDs, this was our last recorded episode since the summer and until the coming Spring.

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Helsinki 2023

I had the opportunity to join SLUSH as part of the Dutch committee!

SLUSH facilitates meetings between the founders of startups and investors such as venture capitalists, accomplished with events such as matchmaking and pitching competitions. Slush aims to build a worldwide startup community and will take place in Helsinki.

The Dutch delegation started to work way before the event that happened from Nov 27th until Dec 2nd. Our last meeting was in Roterdam, where we got two workshops and the last details to make the best of this event!

More information about the event here https://slush.org/

Pitching to Investors Course | MADE MSc Program | Students feedback
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November 2023

Together with a former ESN colleague of mine we roamed the south coast of Iceland! I can't explain how magical this country is... and how amazing my co-pilot was. Working as a volunteer in organizations such ESN gave me not only unvaluable skills as it gave friends that I keep for life.

Márcia Sousa | FFUP
August 2023

During this training course, I had the privilege to explore new methods of communication and teaching but also to learn more about photography, video edition, and team leading.
Part of the training involved applying our learnings towards students in Greek highschools.

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Panel discussion about Impact

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Conference at Tokat, Turkey

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Training course about non-formal for youth workers

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Walking the Camino of Santiago

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Last episode of our Podcast recorded

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preparation meeting in Rotterdam for SLUSH with my CVC colleague Pascal

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Touring around Iceland with my former ESN colleague Carla.

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Traning course in Greece

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Feedback from students & colleagues

"Great lecture, I like that we directly need to put the knowledge we had just obtained into practice."

"Very interesting, great instructor who managed to bring across the topic very relatable and useful."

Pitching to Investors Course | Students MADE MSc Program
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I highly recommend working with Mariana on any scientific project, particularly in the field of agricultural pest research. Throughout our collaboration, Mariana consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, expertise, and a strong work ethic. Her approach to data collection and analysis greatly contributed to the success of our research. Mariana's ability to think critically and propose innovative solutions, proved invaluable.

John Taylor | DRAPN
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Mariana is an exceptional individual who exemplifies qualities such as proactiveness, hard work, and inspiration. Collaborating with her instills a sense of boundless potential for our projects. In the development of our podcast (Penso Rápido), Mariana has taken an active role in crafting the visual identity, managing our online presence, and crafting engaging scripts. She consistently delivers her utmost dedication to each of these responsibilities while remaining authentic to herself.

Márcia Sousa | FFUP

Initiatives & roles

2025

Pop Hub NGO

KA1 and KA2 EU projects

Project Leader & Grant Writer

in European funds towards education projects related ecology, business, and arts.

https://pophub.pt/

2023-2025

Academic Consultancy Training (ACT)

mandatory MSc course at WUR

Academic Advisor

I contribute for the training of master students to become consultants in scientific and entrepreneurial projects

2023

ASPAR_KR

data sharing & management

Project Leader

https://www.youtube.com/watch

https://www.aspar.website/

2023

The Green Room

startup

I've partnered up my team to work with SoftSquare company to jointly develop a green solution for mental health improvement through nature

2021

Penso Rápido

podcast

co-host of a podcast where I discuss diverse topics (finances, career, life, relationships, travel, evolution...) and where we share experiences about being a young scientist

https://www.pensorapido.pt/

2021

PlantWizard

company

CEO & Co-founder

https://www.theplantwizards.com/

2021

ISOW

international organization to support students

Vice-president & secretary

2021

ESN

international organization to support students

ESN Aveiro - Coordinator of Events

ESN Wageningen - member

Scientific experience & trainning

2017- 2019 & 2021-2025

Wageningen University & Research

PhD in Genetics
collaborations with entrepreneurship and education sciences

MSc Plant Sciences

specialization in Phytopathology and Entomology

2013 - 2016

University of Aveiro

BSc Biology

2019 - 2020

University of Porto

faculty of sciences (FCUP)

research in the field of fungal pathogens of agricultural crops

2019

Ministry of Agriculture

north region department (DRAP Norte)

research in the field of fungal pathogens of the vineyard

2020- 2021

University of Valladolid

faculty of forestry & agriculture

research in the field of metagenomics of forest fungal pathogens

2018- 2019

University of São Paulo

faculty of agriculture (ESALQ)

research in the field of Biological Control of insect pests

Key working factors

freedom for

creativity

Entrepreneurship

mindset

(international)

team work

Languages

Portuguese

native speaker

English

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Spanish

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French

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Dutch

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non-formal education

Teaching was not always my obvious why.

Gladly, I found my purpose soon enough. Since 2021 that I have been part of projects and trainings on diverse topics, from health to technology or self-awareness. Through these type of education, I am able to improve my teaching skills and fulfill my passion for cultural exchanges.

Most of the courses were sponsored by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program.