Irina S. Moreira

Irina S. Moreira is a Researcher at the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) within the School of Biotechnology at the Catholic University of Portugal. She holds a PhD in Biotechnology from the same institution and a Biology degree from the University of Porto. Dr. Moreira teaches courses in environmental science and toxicology, contributing to academic programs through her expertise in biodegradation processes. Her work bridges theoretical knowledge with practical applications in pollutant remediation, positioning her as a key contributor to environmental biotechnology research in Portugal.

Education:

• PhD in Biotechnology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
• Bachelor's in Biology, University of Porto

Dr. Moreira specializes in the biodegradation of persistent pollutants, with particular focus on fluorinated compounds and emerging contaminants. Her work encompasses elucidating microbial metabolic pathways, optimizing bioreactor systems for degradation processes, and investigating bacterial strains capable of breaking down complex pollutants like endocrine disruptors and pharmaceuticals. She actively explores the potential of aerobic granular sludge technology and bioaugmentation strategies for wastewater treatment. Her research integrates molecular biology, environmental engineering, and toxicology to develop sustainable solutions for water and soil contamination.

Analysis of Dr. Moreira's recent publications reveals a strong focus on microbial degradation of challenging pollutants including neonicotinoid insecticides, steroid hormones, and pharmaceutical compounds. Her work consistently identifies specific bacterial strains (notably Labrys portucalensis and Rhodococcus species) capable of complete degradation pathways. There's a clear progression from basic biodegradation studies toward applied wastewater treatment technologies, with increasing emphasis on real-world applications in saline environments and complex microbial communities.

Scientific Awards:

• Annual Incentive of the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry for researchers (2022)
• Annual Incentive of the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry for researchers (2023)
• Annual Incentive of the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry for researchers (2024)
• Best Poster award for "Microbial consortia selection for innovative Nature-based solution for air pollutants remediation" (2024)

Dr. Moreira has co-supervised 1 master's thesis and 2 doctoral theses while serving as committee member for 4 additional master's defenses. She actively participates in international research projects including AGeNT (Aerobic granule technology for toxic wastewater treatment), MultiBiorefinery (valorization of agro-forest by-products), and FLUOROPHARMA (biodegradation of fluorinated pharmaceuticals). Her grant portfolio demonstrates strong collaboration with European research entities and includes participation in projects funded by national and international sources. She also serves as evaluator for prestigious funding bodies including the Australian Research Council and Austrian Science Fund.

As a core member of the CBQF Task Force "Society Engagement," Dr. Moreira contributes to knowledge transfer initiatives connecting academic research with community needs. Her laboratory work focuses on microbial strain isolation and characterization, particularly for pollutant degradation applications. She collaborates extensively within the CBQF research center and maintains active partnerships with international research groups working on bioremediation technologies. Her team specializes in advanced analytical techniques including tandem mass spectrometry for metabolite identification and molecular methods for microbial community analysis.