(Chemical) Bonding is what makes life possible

I was awarded a predoctoral grant from FCT in 2006 and I obtained my PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Faculty of Sciences - University of Porto (FCUP) in 2010, where I developed strong skills in analytical chemistry, particularly sample preparation tools, electrochemical detection, and chromatographic methods. My work resulted in a Portuguese patent.
Then I was awarded postdoc grant from FCT and move to GRAQ/ISEP/REQUIMTE to work in the environmental area in the development of methods for pharmaceutical pollution. I was also able to learn new skills such as remediation procedures, synthesis of nanomaterials and help in the development of green remediation procedures with papers with high citation score. In 2013 I proposed to start a MIP sensors research line at GRAQ/ISEP/REQUIMTE that could answer to several analytical challenges in the group. I was awarded with another FCT postdoc grant exclusively focused MIP sensors. I am the scientific leader of this research line. I contributed to improve the state-of-the-art of the field with several publications in reference journals, and applied the sensors in different areas, mainly in the environmental area but also in health (cancer biomarkers) and food (safety and quality control). I developed skills on different polymerization procedures and several possibilities for sensors construction. I acquired experience using different types of conductive nanomaterials and methods of preparation. From conventional electrodes I moved to disposable commercially available electrodes to try to achieve low cost and portability.
I am author of more than 40 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and 2 book chapters. Their relevance for peers is reflected by my h-index of 24 and total citation score of 2268 (Scopus). He is currently PI of a competitive national project founded be FCT.