He is a doctor by training. But it was during his Ph.D., which he did in the UK, supported by a Gulbenkian doctoral programme, that he decided to conduct research.

His focus of study is Autoimmune Diseases. If we want to understand what these diseases are, we can simplify by saying that Luís Graça studies the functioning of cells and the way they deregulate and destroy themselves. As he always keeps a close eye on the malfunctioning of the immune system, he is a fundamental member of the Technical Committee on vaccination against covid-19, since he pays special attention to the cases of immunocompromised patients.

He is Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon and Coordinator of the Immunology course. Reserved by nature, his students find his initial shyness strange, but little do they know that Luís Graça is a person with the most sharp sense of humour. Private space reserved only for a few, he is considered a solid friend, a conciliator, the peer available to debate ideas and open to welcoming others.

His cell history is engraved on his skin, as well as that of Marta. His wife is a plastic artist, with whom he did a work that stands between art and science, transplanting skin cells from one arm to the other. If in marriage there is the premise of a connection for life, until death do them part, Luís Graça's skin enshrines this moral principle in scientific terms.

About vaccination, we asked him about what it has been like to make decisions about a virus whose face is barely known, about the role of the Professor, about what he researches and the meetings of the Committee for decision-making on vaccination. He is a discreet and good-natured man.

Technical support : Bruno Santos (Unidade de Audiovisuais) e Catarina Monteiro (Gabinete de Comunicação)

Interview/Contents: Joana Sousa e Leonel Gomes (Gabinete de Comunicação)

Original ideia: Catarina Monteiro.