María del Pilar Bermejo Barrera is a Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), where she currently serves as Dean. She leads the Research Group on Trace Elements, Spectroscopy and Speciation (GETEE) within the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology, and is affiliated with the Materials Institute (iMATUS) and Strategic Grouping in Materials (AEMAT). Her educational background includes a degree and doctorate in Chemical Sciences from the University of Santiago de Compostela (1978 and 1981 respectively), with additional training at the University of Plymouth. She joined the Royal Galician Academy of Sciences in 2018 as the fifth woman member in its 40-year history. Professor Bermejo Barrera's research focuses on analytical methodology development for trace element studies in environmental, industrial, clinical, and food applications. Her work emphasizes speciation techniques, atomic spectroscopy, and the development of novel analytical methods for heavy metals and essential elements. She has pioneered research in mercury speciation in seafood, selenium bioavailability in dairy products, and trace element analysis using advanced spectroscopic techniques. Her publication record spans over 250 scientific articles and several monographs, with recent work concentrating on molecularly imprinted polymers for mercury detection, selenium supplementation effects, and pressurized liquid extraction techniques. Her research demonstrates consistent evolution from fundamental analytical chemistry to applied environmental and food safety studies. Member of the Royal Galician Academy of Sciences (2018) Director of 29 doctoral theses and over 100 undergraduate theses Coordinator of the ECTS Pilot Program for the Erasmus program in Chemistry (1990-1996) Coordinator of the ECTN (European Chemistry Thematic Network) and TASSEP programs She has supervised numerous research projects and contracts with companies, directed the Department of Analytical Chemistry (1998-2006), and served as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry (1989-1994). Her laboratory work centers on the GETEE research group, which maintains strong collaborations with international institutions through the European Chemistry Thematic Network and Transatlantic Science Student Exchange Programme.









