Team
Tiago Natal da Luz
Test Facility Manager and Administrator
Graduation in Biology, Master in Ecology and PhD in Biology, field of Ecology by the Science and Technology Faculty, University of Coimbra (in cooperation with the Free University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Since 2001, has conducted research work in the field of soil ecotoxicology, promoting the development and standardization of laboratory tests with soil invertebrates as a tool to evaluate the toxicity of industrial residues and soil contaminants (e.g. metals and plant protection products; PPPs) and to support the ecological risk assessment of contaminated sites. At the same time, has provided services to companies that include environmental impact assessments (with a higher focus on the entomological component) and evaluation of the effect of PPPs at soil community level (through the assessment of biodiversity and functional parameters). Has participated in research projects (with funding from national and international entities) related to the improvement of industrial wastes to allow its use in agricultural soils as organic amendments (supporting circular economy), validation and development of mesocosms for ecological risk assessment in the application of PPPs in temperate and tropical soils, and toxicity assessment of emerging soil compounds (e.g. nanomaterials). Since 2018, is member of the technical committees of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) SC4/WG2 (Effects on soil fauna) and SC4/WG5 (Ecotoxicological aspects).
José Paulo Sousa
Collaborator
Graduation in Biology, Master in Ecology and PhD in Ecology by Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra (in cooperation with the Free University Berlin, Germany).
Associate Professor in the Department of Life Sciences of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra and member of the Executive Council of the Center for Functional Ecology – UC. Coordinates the CFE-UC Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Ecotoxicology where, since 2003, has conducted applied research (with national, European and Latin American funding) in the area of soil quality assessment using biological indicators and in the areas of both prospective risk assessment (related to the registration of plant protection products and their introduction in the market) and retrospective risk assessment in contaminated sites (essentially for recovery of degraded areas). He is responsible for providing services in these areas to clients such as THE NAVIGATOR COMPANY, ALTRI FORESTRY, SHELL and UBA (German Federal Environmental Agency). Since 2007 has been an external expert of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) working on the development of scientific opinions and guidance documents used by different EU Member States in the risk assessment of Plant Protection Products (between 2009 and 2015 was a member of the EFSA PPR Panel). In 2013 was a consultant to PETROBRAS (Brazil) on the risk assessment of oil exploration areas in the Amazon region and to CETESB (São Paulo State Environmental Company, Brazil) and FEAM (State Environmental Foundation, Minas Gerais, Brazil), for the development of risk assessment schemes in contaminated sites. Since 2014, has leaded the Consulting Panel on Plant Health and GMOs at ASAE (Food Safety Authority in Portugal).
Álvaro Nunes de Sousa
Project Leader and Quality Assurance
Graduation in Industrial Chemistry by the Science and Technology Faculty, University of Coimbra.
Working in the Environment sector since 1990, Álvaro Nunes de Sousa has been coupling and coordinating distinct disciplines such as analytical and reaction chemistry, acoustics, microbiology, molecular biology, sampling programmes’ design, hydrodynamic modelling of contaminant transport and reaction. Álvaro has an extensive experience in contaminated site studies, integrated water resources management programmes, environmental monitoring programmes and networks, human and environmental risk assessment, and in the design of water treatment and wastewater treatment processes, waste gasses and environmental remediation processes. As an entrepreneur, he started his activity in 1994, and since there he has acquired relevant international experience and participated in several R&D projects.
Rita Tentúgal
Quality Assurance
BSc in Biology and Geology in 2011 and MSc in Marine Sciences and Coastal Areas in 2014, at the University of Aveiro.
Since 2015, has developed her professional activity in the environmental sector, with a focus on human and ecological risk assessment. Has participated in several national and international projects in the area of human and ecological risk assessment developing work in all stages of the process, from data collection, exposure modelling, analysis and data management, monitoring and preparation of technical reports; management of contaminated soils and sediments and environmental remediation processes. Trained in Good Laboratory Practices from the OECD, follows several laboratory studies with soil organisms and especially aquatic organisms.
Daniela Alves
Study Director
BSc in Biology in 2014 and MSc in Ecology, – Specialization in Research in Ecology in 2016, at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra.
After completing her master degree, participated in several international projects where carried out field work in countries such as Germany, Honduras and São Tomé and Príncipe. Participation in these projects gave her experience in laboratory management and carrying out laboratory tests. She has extensive experience in setting up, maintaining, and finalizing ecotoxicology tests with soil and aquatic organisms; maintenance of laboratory cultures of several standard and non-standard species; soil characterization and extraction, screening and morphotyping of macro and mesofauna. She is currently part of the Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) structure of the CloverStrategy Testing Facility assuming roles as Study Director or Study Personnel in services rendered in compliance with GLP.
Patrícia Ferreira
Study staff
BSc in Biology in 2018 and MSc in Ecology in 2020 from the University of Coimbra.
During her academic training, acquired technical experience in the design, assembly and maintenance of ecotoxicological tests with soil organisms in laboratory context with several standardized and non-standard springtail species, culminating in the production of an academic thesis and a publication in a peer-reviewed indexed journal with high impact factor.
After completing this stage, began her professional work in scientific research at the Soil Ecology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory at the University of Coimbra, where expanded her knowledge to additional groups of soil invertebrates (Lumbricids, Enchytreids and mites) participating in several national and international projects of ecotoxicology and soil ecology (e.g., BIOBLOCK-COVID and OPTIMA).
In 2022, took on the role of Life Science Technician at CloverStrategy. Her functions extend to most of the laboratory work carried out in the company, with special focus on the ERAMYC project, funded by the German Environment Agency (UBA). She is currently part of the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) structure of the CloverStrategy Test Facility, assuming the roles of Study Director or Study Personnel in the services rendered in compliance with GLP.