Bioengineering
Inês J. Seabra
Full Teaching Professor
01
Biography
Inês J. Seabra is a Full Teaching Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at Lehigh University, a position she has held since August 2023, having first joined the institution as a Visiting Professor in 2018. Her teaching and research focus centers on bioengineering, with expertise in supercritical fluid technology, high-pressure extraction processes, and the development of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Prior to Lehigh, she built an extensive academic career in Portugal, including a role as Associate Professor at Coimbra College of Agriculture and a research visiting scholarship at Rice University.
Seabra has made notable contributions to the field of green extraction technologies, with published work spanning the recovery of antioxidants, anthocyanins, and other bioactive compounds from natural and agricultural residue sources, appearing in peer-reviewed journals such as the *Journal of Supercritical Fluids*, *Journal of CO2 Utilization*, and *Antioxidants*. Her research has practical implications for sustainable bioprocessing and the development of natural-based pharmaceutical and wound-healing products, reflecting a consistent commitment to bridging fundamental science with real-world biomedical and environmental applications.
02
Areas of Research
- Supercritical fluid extraction
- High-pressure solvent extraction
- Bioactive compound recovery
- Natural product extraction
- Antioxidant extraction from plant materials
- Anthocyanin extraction
- Wound healing biomaterials
- Supercritical CO2 processing
- Agro-industrial waste valorization
- Nanoparticle self-assembly for drug delivery
- Cellulose extraction from agricultural residues
- Biopolymers for biomedical applications
03
Appointments & Honors
Current Appointments
- 2023–Full Teaching Professor, Bioengineering Department, Lehigh University (2023-present)
Selected Honors
- 2022Richard P. Vinci Award for Educational Excellence, P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Science, Lehigh University
- 20111º Prémio Nutrition Awards 2011, Category of Innovation and Development in Products and Services, Associação Portuguesa dos Nutricionistas/GCI
04
Teaching
- BIOE 020Bioengineering Sophomore Research Seminar
- BIOE 025CAD for Bioengineers
- BIOE 110Elements of Bioengineering
- BIOE 242Bioengineering Research
- BIOE 246Bioengineering Thermodynamics
- BIOE 343Integrated Biotechnology Laboratory
- BIOE 350Special Topics
- BIOE 450Special Topics – Scientific Review and Communication
- ENGR 005Introduction to Engineering Practice
05
Full Record
- J. Loureiro, S.P. Miguel, I.J. Seabra, M.P. Ribeiro, P. Coutinho. Single-Step Self-Assembly of Zein Honey – Chitosan Nanoparticles for Hydrophilic Drug Incorporation by Flash Nanoprecipitation. Pharmaceutics, 14, 920, 2022
- M. Bordalo, I.J. Seabra, A.B. Silva, A.P. Terrasso, C. Brito, M. Serra, M.R. Bronze, C.M.M Duarte, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, A.T. Serra. Using High-Pressure Technology to Develop Antioxidant Rich Extracts from Bravo de Esmolfe Apple Residues. Antioxidants (Basel), 10(9), 1469, 2021
- M. Vallejo, R. Cordeiro, P.A.N. Dias, C. Moura, M. Henriques, I.J. Seabra, C.M. Malça, P. Morouço, Recovery and evaluation of cellulose from agroindustrial residues of corn, grape, pomegranate, strawberry-tree fruit and fava. Bioresources and Bioprocessing, 8, 25, 2021
- M.C. Gaspar, H.C. de Sousa I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, Environmentally safe scCO2 P. pinaster branches extracts: composition and properties, Journal of CO2 Utilization, 37, 74-84, 2020
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, R.A. Oliveira, H.C. de Sousa, Two-step high pressure solvent extraction of walnut (Juglans regia L.) husks: scCO2 + CO2/ethanol/H2O, Journal of CO2 Utilization, 34, 375-385, 2019
- I.J. Seabra, R.B. Chim, P. Salgueiro, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Influence of Solvent Additives on the Aqueous Extraction of Tannins from Pine Bark: Potential Extracts for Leather Tanning, Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 93, 1169-1182, 2018
- A.M.R.C. Alexandre, A.M.A. Dias, I.J. Seabra, A.A.T.G. Portugal, H.C. de Sousa, M.E.M. Braga, Biodiesel obtained from supercritical carbon dioxide oil of Cynara cardunculus L., Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 68, 52-63, 2012
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Statistical mixture design investigation of CO2-EtOH-H2O high pressure extractions from tara seed coat. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 64, 9-18, 2012
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, High pressure solvent extraction of maritime pine bark: Study of fractionation, solvent flow rate and solvent composition. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 62, 135-148, 2012
- A.M.A. Dias, P. Santos, I.J. Seabra, R.N.C. Júnior, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Spilanthol from Spilanthes acmella flowers, leaves and stems obtained by selective supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 61, 62-70, 2012
- J. Sánchez Martin, J. Beltrán de Heredia, I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Adsorbent derived from Pinus pinaster tannin for cationic surfactant removal. Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology, 32, 23-41, 2012
- A.M.A. Dias, M.E.M. Braga, I.J. Seabra, P. Ferreira, M.H Gil, H.C. de Sousa, Development of natural based wound dressings impregnated with bioactive compounds and using supercritical carbon dioxide, International Journal of Pharmaceuticals, 408, 9-19, 2011
- L. Durães, A. Moutinho, I.J. Seabra, B.F.O. Costa, H.C. de Sousa, A. Portugal, Characterization of iron(III) oxide/hydroxide nanostructured materials produced by sol-gel technology based on the Fe(NO3)3∙9H2OC2H5OH-CH3CHCH2O system, Materials Chemistry and Physics, 130, 548-560, 2011
- A.M.A. Dias, I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, M.H. Gil, H.C. de Sousa, Supercritical solvent impregnation of natural bioactive compounds in N-carboxybutyl chitosan membranes for the development of topical wound healing applications, Journal of Controlled Release 2010, 148, e21-e56
- A.T. Serra, I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, M.R. Bronze, H.C. de Sousa, C.M.M. Duarte, Processing cherries (Prunus avium) using supercritical fluid technology. Part 1- Recovery of extract fractions rich in bioactive compounds, Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 2010, 55, 184-191
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, M.T.P. Batista, H.C. Sousa, Effect of solvent (CO2/EtOH/H2O) on the fractionated enhanced solvent extraction of anthocyanins from elderberry pomace, Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 2010, 54, 145-152
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, M.T.P. Batista, H.C. de Sousa, High pressure fractioned extraction of anthocyanins from S. nigra L. pomace, Food and Bioprocess Technology: An International Journal, 2010, 3, 674-683
- M.E.M. Braga, R. Santos, I.J. Seabra, R. Facanali, M.O.M. Marques, H.C. de Sousa, Fractioned SFE of antioxidants from maritime pine bark, Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 2008, 47, 37-48
- I.J. Seabra, M.H. Gil, Cotton gauze bandage: a support for enzyme immobilization to use on antiinflammatory treatment, Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2007, 43 (4), 535-542
- M.C. Gaspar, H.C. de Sousa, I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, Extracting the natural insecticide abietadiene from P. pinaster branches using scCO2, International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids, Antibes Juan-les-Pins, France, April 22-25, 2018. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- N.A. Gañán, F. Bombaldi, A. Alexandre, A.M.A. Dias, I.J. Seabra, J. Zygadlo, E. Brignole, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Anti-inflammatory activity of Chelidonium majus extracts obtained by scCO2, 10th International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids, San Francisco, CA, USA, May 13-16, 2012.
- A.M.R.C. Alexandre, A.M.A. Dias, I.J. Seabra, A.A.T.G. Portugal, H.C. de Sousa, M.E.M. Braga, Biodiesel obtained from supercritical carbon dioxide oil extracts of Cynara cardunculus L., ChemPor 2011, 11th International Chemical and Biological Eng. Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, September 5-7, 2011.
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Application of a statistical mixture design in the pressurized solvent extraction from tara seed coats, ChemPor 2011, 11th International Chemical and Biological Eng. Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, September 5-7, 2011.
- A.M.A. Dias, P. Santos, I.J. Seabra, R N.C. Júnior, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Activity of Extracts Obtained from the Flowers, Leaves and Stems of Spilanthes oleracea (Jambú) Using High Pressure Extraction, 13th EMSF, European Meeting on Supercritical Fluids, Den Hague, The Netherlands, October 9-13, 2011.
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Application of a statistical mixture design in the pressurized solvent extraction from tara seed coats, 13th EMSF, European Meeting on Supercritical Fluids, Den Hague, The Netherlands, October 9-13, 2011.
- A.M.R.C. Alexandre, A.M.A. Dias, I.J. Seabra, A.A.T.G. Portugal, H. C. de Sousa, M. E. M. Braga, Biodiesel obtained from supercritical carbon dioxide oil extracts of Cynara cardunculus L., 13th EMSF, European Meeting on Supercritical Fluids, Den Hague, The Netherlands, October 9-13, 2011.
- A.M.A. Dias, I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, M.H. Gil, H.C. de Sousa, Supercritical solvent impregnation of natural bioactive compounds in N-carboxybutyl chitosan membranes for the development of topical wound healing applications. 11th European Symposium on Controlled Drug Delivery, Egmond aan Zee, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, April 7-9, 2010. Proceedings (ISBN 978-90-365-3007-1).
- A.M.A. Dias, I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, R.N.C. Júnior, H.C. de Sousa, SFE and ESE of Jambu (Acmella oleracea) main bioactive compounds. Prosciba 2010 - II Iberoamerican Conference on Supercritical Fluids. Natal, Brazil, April 4-9, 2010. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- M.E.M. Braga, I.J. Seabra, A.A. Dias, P. Ferreira, J.T. Liberal, J.M. Gaspar, M.H. Gil, A.F. Ambrósio, R. Carvalho Júnior, H.C. de Sousa, Anti-inflamatoray activity of jucá (Caesalpinia ferrea). Prosciba 2010 - II Iberoamerican Conference on Supercritical Fluids. Natal, Brazil, April 4-9, 2010. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Separation of volatile fractions from elder flowers by supercritical CO2 extraction. Prosciba 2010 - II Iberoamerican Conference on Supercritical Fluids, April 4-9, 2010, Natal, Brazil. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, R.A. Oliveira, P.B. Goyzueta, H.C. de Sousa, Tara seed coats extraction using CO2-EtOH-H2O high pressure homogeneous solvent mixtures. VIII Iberoamerican Conference on Phase Equilibria and Fluid Properties for Process Design - Equifase 2009. Praia da Rocha, Portugal, October 17-21, 2009. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- R.A. Oliveira, I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Valorization of Juglans regia L. fruits through fractioned supercritical fluid extraction. VIII Iberoamerican Conference on Phase Equilibria and Fluid Properties for Process Design - Equifase 2009. Praia da Rocha, Portugal, October 17-21, 2009. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, M.T.P. Batista, H.C. de Sousa, Fractioned HPE from elderberry pomace. 11th European Meeting on Supercritical Fluids. Bellaterra, Spain, May 4-7, 2008. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- I.J. Seabra, O. Gomes, M.E.M. Braga, H.C. de Sousa, Extraction kinetics of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) bark by HPE using CO2+EtOH. 11th European Meeting on Supercritical Fluids. Bellaterra, Spain, May 4-7, 2008. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, M.T.P. Batista, H.C. de Sousa, Extracting anthocyanins from Sambucus nigra L. byproducts. Prosciba 2007 - I Conferência Iberoamericana de Fluidos Supercríticos. Iguassu Falls, Brazil, April 10-13, 2007. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- R. Santos, M.E.M. Braga, I.J. Seabra, H.C. de Sousa, Fractioned SFE of maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster). Prosciba 2007 - I Conferência Iberoamericana de Fluidos Supercríticos. Iguassu Falls, Brazil, April 10-13, 2007. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, M.T.P. Batista, H.C. de Sousa, High pressure fractioned extraction of anthocyanins from Sambucus nigra L. byproducts. VII Iberoamerican Conference on Phase Equilibria and Fluid Properties for Process Design 2006. Morelia, Mexico, October 21-25, 2006. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- I.J. Seabra, M.E.M. Braga, M.T.P. Batista, H.C. de Sousa, High pressure extraction of antioxidants from elderberry byproducts with CO2 and H2O. VII Iberoamerican Conference on Phase Equilibria and Fluid Properties for Process Design 2006. Morelia, Mexico, October 21-25, 2006. Proceedings and CD-rom.
- Extracção fraccionada de taninos condensados de subprodutos de Pinus pinaster e Sambucus nigra L., in Aplicaciones Industriales de los Taninos Vegetales
- Extracção da casca de pinheiro (Pinus pinaster): influência de aditivos no solvente de extracção, in Aplicaciones Industriales de los Taninos Vegetales
- Supercritical solvent impregnation of natural bioactive compounds in N-carboxybutyl chitosan and agarose membranes for the development of topical wound healing applications, in Technologies for Medical Sciences
- Recent trends and perspectives for the extraction of natural products, in Natural Products Extraction: Principles and Applications
- Teaching Assistant, Chemical Engineering Department, University of Coimbra (1991-1993)
- Lecturer, Coimbra College of Agriculture (1998-2011)
- Associate Professor, Coimbra College of Agriculture (2011-2018)
- Research Visiting Scholar, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, Rice University (2016-2017)
- Visiting Professor, Bioengineering Department, Lehigh University (2018-2020)
- Professor of Practice, Bioengineering Department, Lehigh University (2020-2023)
- Full Teaching Professor, Bioengineering Department, Lehigh University (2023-present)
- 2011 — 1º Prémio Nutrition Awards 2011, Category of Innovation and Development in Products and Services, Associação Portuguesa dos Nutricionistas/GCI
- 2022 — Richard P. Vinci Award for Educational Excellence, P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Science, Lehigh University