Born in 1983, graduated in Cell Biology and Biotechnology (15/20) in 2006, with a MSc in Cell Biology and Biotechnology, in 2008 (19/20), and PhD in Biology, with specialization in Biotechnology obtained with the highest honour (summa cum laude) in 2015, at the University of Lisbon. I have developed a consistent research line focused on the biochemical and physiological analysis of crop biotic and abiotic stress, aimed at the improvement of sustainable practices in forestry and agriculture. In forestry, I am focused on screening highly active phytochemicals against forest tree parasitic nematodes, establishing in vitro co-cultures as innovative biotechnological tools to study phytoparasitic nematode infection biology, and the metabolomic and transcriptomic understanding of the mode of action of these active phytochemicals. In the field of agriculture, I focus on developing sustainable approaches to design management strategies against plant parasitic nematodes and to improve crop productivity under soil acidity, drought and heavy metal stress.
I have specialized in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biological Engineering, Biotechnology, Botany, Cell Biology, Metabolomics, Microbiology, Microscopy, Molecular Biology, Mycology, Nematology, Physiology and Spectrometry. I have mastered a wide range of advanced techniques and methodologies throughout my scientific career, in laboratory and field work, e.g., Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Histochemistry, In vitro culture, Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Infra-red gas analysis (IRGA), Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), Molecular marker sequencing, Oxygen electrode polarography, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and RT-PCR, Protein immunodetection (Western blotting), Pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Scintillation spectrometry, Uv-Vis. spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Engaging with the scientific community is an aspect I value; I have established ca. 40 collaborations with national and international research institutes/centres and industries, having developed important work with over 80 researchers from Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, Tunisia, United Kingdom and United States. I have participated in the submission and/or implementation of 29 projects responsible for mobilizing over 34M EUR for research.
I have contributed for scientific dissemination with over 200 scientific publications: i) 75 peer-reviewed journal publications (h-index 17; highest IF 7.1), ii) 9 peer-reviewed publications in conference proceedings, iii) 7 book chapters, iv) 90 abstracts in conference proceedings, v) 16 thesis and vi) 6 reports. I am responsible for 41 oral presentations, contributed to the organization of 14 scientific meetings/workshops and participated in ca. 200 scientific events. I am an Editor for 8 scientific journals (IF<5.6, Q1 in Plant sciences and Agronomy), where I have edited 13 special issues, and a reviewer for ca. 30 international scientific journals (IF = 1.5 to 7.1). Towards scientific education I have acted as an instructor in 4 scientific courses, a lecturer for BSc (Biology and Biochemistry) and MSc courses (Ecology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Biochemistry), a supervisor in 24 theses/projects in Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Biology, a tutor of 12 BSc and MSc students and participated in national programs for science divulgation for youngsters.
