Maria Alexandra Gafitescu (aka Alex Gafitescu) is currently the Business Development Manager for Europe and the UK at Aptamer Group, a position she has held since December 2023. In this role, she is responsible for nurturing and expanding key client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and crafting strategic sales plans. Her strong interpersonal skills and scientific background enable her to establish lasting customer relationships and exceed sales targets, contributing significantly to the company’s long-term business development strategy.

Alex’s career also includes a stint as a Junior Scientist at the Rosalind Franklin Institute in the UK, where she led collaborative projects to develop chemical tools for the biological investigation of glycoproteins (January 2020 - January 2021). Additionally, she was an Early-Stage Researcher under the Marie Curie Fellowship at the University of Oxford from October 2016 to October 2019, conducting PhD research work in Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

Alex’s academic journey began at the University of Perugia in Italy, where she completed her Pharmacy School with a Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, graduating with top honors (110/110 lode) in February 2014. During her studies, she also participated in an exchange program at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, USA, where she gained practical experience in community health screenings and clinical pharmacy.

Throughout her academic and professional career, Alex has been actively involved in research, contributing to significant projects. Notable is the article “Palladium-mediated enzyme activation suggests multiphase initiation of glycogenesis,” published in Nature in 2018. She has also presented her research at various international conferences and symposiums and this reflects her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.

In conclusion, Alex’s diverse background in business development, scientific research, and pharmaceutical studies underlines her multifaceted expertise. Her ability to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and business strategy positions her as a valuable asset in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.