Paula ML Castro obtained a degree in Food Engineering from ESB-UCP in 1989, and holds a PhD degree in Biochemical Engineering from University College London, 1994. After her PhD she worked in a UK biotech company for two years in environmental biotechnology, line she has continued at ESB-UCP. Main research areas focuses on developing bioprocesses and nature based solutions, including biodegradation of pollutants and wastewater treatment and soil phytomanagement combined with the recovery of biobased products, and microbial assisted crop production in forestry and agriculture. She co-authored more than 250 papers in international journals and was involved in the supervision of more than 20 concluded PhD theses. She is Full Professor at Escola Superior de Biotecnologia (ESB-UCP), currently the Director of ESB-UCP. She is the head of the Laboratory Environmental & Resources Laboratory of the Research Center, CBQF.
Publications:
Oliveira A.S., Amorim C.L., Ramos M.A., Mesquita D.P., Inocêncio P., Ferreira E.C., Van Loosdrecht M., Castro P.M.L. 2020. Variability in the composition of extracellular polymeric substances from a full-scale aerobic granular sludge reactor treating urban wastewater. Journal Environmental Chemical Engineering 8: 104156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2020.104156
Moreira, H., Pereira, S.I.A., Vega, A., Castro, P.M.L., Marques, A.P.G.C. 2020 Synergistic effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting bacteria benefit maize growth under increasing soil salinity. Journal of Environmental Management 257: 109982 (9). DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109982EID: 2-s2.0-85076673692
Moreira, I.S., Bessa, V.S., Murgolo, S., Piccirillo, C., Mascolo, G., Castro P.M.L. 2018. Biodegradation of Diclofenac by the bacterial strain Labrys portucalensis F11. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 152, pp.104-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.01.040
Yu, K., Geel M. Van, Ceulemans T., Geerts W., Ramos M. M., Sousa N., Castro P. M. L., Kastendeuch P., Najjar G., Ameglio T., Ngao J., Saudreau M., Honnay O., Somers B. 2018. Vegetation reflectance spectroscopy for biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in urban soils.. Environmental Pollution. 242(B): 1012-1922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.09.053
Calheiros, C.S.C., Bessa, V.S., Mesquita, R.B., Brix, H., Rangel, A.O.S.S., Castro, P.M.L. 2015. Constructed wetland with a polyculture of ornamental plants for wastewater treatment at a rural tourism facility. Ecological Engineering 79: 1-7. (49) doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.04.002
Role
Full Professor
Academic CV
