2019: Habilitation in Biology, University of Aveiro (May 2019)
2000-2004: PhD in Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal, (November 2004).
1997-2000: Master in Ecology, University of Coimbra, Portugal, (November 2000).
1993-1997: Degree in Biology, scientific branch, University of Coimbra, Portugal, (September 1997).
Principal:
Ecotoxicology: Several years were devoted to the development of an active research programme in ecotoxicology, mostly terrestrial, in field and laboratory, addressing a series of both fundamental and pre-normative research questions. In the area of soil ecotoxicology research activities include the development of the avoidance behaviour test, genomic tools and use of multi-species tests; refinement of existing protocols and development of new bioassays to assess soil contamination. Additionally, has developed and implemented in E. albidus a behavioural test - avoidance test - having shown its high ecological relevance.
Specialization:
Ecotoxicogenomics: Extensive progresses have taken place since 2006, such as the development and the enrichment of a new microarray [1], developed for the first time for an Enchytraeid (E. albidus)[2], and is now an Agilent custom platform. At present E. crypticus was subject of a massive parallel sequencing (454-pyrosequencing) and a high gradient Nimblegen microarray is validated. [2] http://bioinformatics.ua.pt/enchybase/
Nanotoxicology: Collaborating with both national and international experts in the area. Developments in soil nanotoxicology, which are far less studied than in water media, present particular challenges. Investigation is progressing (3 publications 2011) and rapidly moving.
Other skills/activities:
Standardisation of new guidelines, and joining ring tests that precede it, such as the Bioacumulation in Oligochaetes, Collembolan Reproduction test (addition of a new test species) or the Evaluation of a biotest battery for the ecotoxicological characterisation of waste and waste eluates. Promoted and optimized the development of novel avoidance behaviour tests for Enchytraeids, having initially produced 3 papers that kicked research in this topic with other species.
[1] A microarray is a multichannel lab chip. It is a solid matrix (usually a glass slide or a thin silicone celular film) that tests high amounts of biological material in high-throughput. Also called a gene chip.