معرفی
Ana Rita Pereira da Silva is an Invited Assistant Researcher (non-tenured track) at the Center for Biological Engineering (CEB) of the University of Minho, specializing in Environmental Biotechnology and Bioengineering. She holds a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Minho (2023), with a focus on biodegradation of micropollutants using nanomaterials. Her research integrates sustainable energy solutions, bioremediation, and toxicity assessment, bridging academia and industry through knowledge transfer.
Education:
- PhD in Bioengineering (2023), University of Minho
- MSc in Micro/Nanotechnologies (2016), University of Minho
- BSc in Biomedical Engineering (2013), Instituto Politécnico do Porto
Research Interests: Her work centers on designing biotechnological solutions for environmental challenges, particularly in wastewater treatment, biogas production, and the use of nanomaterials to enhance anaerobic processes. She emphasizes sustainable approaches to mitigate environmental hazards caused by micropollutants like PFAS and pharmaceuticals.
Publications: With 14 peer-reviewed articles, Ana's research trends focus on advancing bioremediation techniques using novel materials and evaluating the ecological impact of emerging pollutants. Her work bridges lab-scale studies with industrial applications, addressing real-world environmental issues.
Awards:
- Best Poster Award at the 2018 International Workshop for Global Sustainability
- IMFAHE Shark Tank Finalist (2025)
- FLAD Scholarship for conference participation (2018)
Advising & Grants: Supervises multiple MSc and PhD students, leading projects like the 'Move2lowC' initiative and collaborations with BPC Instruments. Her grants include funding from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Labs & Teams: A core member of the Env2B Lab and the Hydrogenotrophic Methanogenic Activity research group, collaborating with institutions like the Technical University of Denmark and UNAM (Mexico).