Luís Portela, MD
Chairman
BIAL Foundation
He is the Chairman of the BIAL Foundation and author of nine books in Portuguese and one in English, namely “The science of spirit: Parapsychology, enlightenment and evolution” (2020).
He holds a degree in Medicine from the University of Porto (Portugal) and was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by the Faculty of Medicine of Cadiz (Spain), as well as by the Universities of Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon (Portugal). He was honored with three State decorations: Commander of the Order of Merit, Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, and Grand Cross of the Order of Public Instruction. Among other awards, he was distinguished with the “Louisiana State University Neuroscience Award” (USA) and was elected an Honorary Member of the Parapsychological Association, an affiliated organization of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
He worked as a Medical practitioner and Professor. He resigned from his medical and academic career to pursue business management, dedicating himself to the family’s pharmaceutical company, BIAL, where he served as CEO (1979 - 2011) and Chairman (2011 - 2021). He has served as President of the Health Cluster Portugal (2008-2017) and President of the General Council of the University of Porto (2009-2013), Vice-President of Fundação de Serralves (2001-2008), and Board Member of COTEC (2006-2012).