Фариа Хорхе М

Born in 1983, graduated in Cell Biology and Biotechnology (15/20) in 2006, with a MSc in Cell Biology and Biotechnology, in 2008 (19/20), and PhD in Biology, with specialization in Biotechnology obtained with the highest honour (summa cum laude) in 2015, at the University of Lisbon. I have developed a consistent research line focused on the biochemical and physiological study of crop biotic and abiotic stress, aimed at the improvement of sustainable practices in forestry and agriculture. In forestry, my scientific interests focus on the screening of phytochemicals with activity against crop and forest tree plant parasitic nematodes, the establishment of in vitro co-cultures as innovative biotechnological methodologies to study the nematode infection biology, and the mode of action of active phytochemicals through metabolomic and transcriptomic studies. In the field of agriculture, I focus on developing sustainable approaches in the design of management strategies against plant parasitic nematodes and strategies to improve crop productivity under soil acidity, drought and heavy metal stress conditions. I am specialized in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biological Engineering, Biotechnology, Botany, Cell Biology, Metabolomics, Microbiology, Microscopy, Molecular Biology, Mycology, Nematology, Physiology and Spectrometry. I have mastered a wide range of advanced techniques and methodologies throughout my scientific career, in laboratory and field work: Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Histochemistry, In vitro culture, Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Infra-red gas analyser (IRGA), Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), Molecular marker sequencing, Oxygen electrode polarography, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and RT-PCR, Protein immunodetection (Western blotting), Pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Scintillation spectrometry, Uv-Vis. spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Engaging with the scientific community is an aspect I value; I have established ca. 25 collaborations with national and international research institutes/centers and industries, having developed important work with almost 60 researchers from Portugal, Spain, Austria, The Netherlands, Canada, United States and United Kingdom. I have participated in the development of 15 projects responsible for mobilizing over 1M EUR for research. I have contributed for scientific dissemination with ca. 80 scientific publications: i) 31 peer-reviewed journal publications (h-index of 7; highest IF of 6.2; 218 citations), ii) 2 peer-reviewed publications in conference proceedings, iii) 1 book chapter, iv) 37 abstracts in conference proceedings, v) 2 theses and vi) 6 reports. I am responsible for 11 oral presentations, contributed for the organization of 8 scientific meetings/workshops and participated in ca. 90 scientific events. I am an Editor for 3 scientific journals (IF>2.5, Q1 in Plant sciences and Agronomy), where I have edited 2 special issues, and a reviewer for 15 international scientific journals (IF = 1.5 to 6.8). Towards scientific education I have acted as an instructor in a scientific short course, a lecturer for a MSc course, a supervisor in 9 theses/projects in Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Biology, a tutor of 11 BSc and MSc students and participated in national programs for science divulgation for youngsters.