Antonio Manuel Santos Carrico Portugal

Experiência

António Portugal is a biologist with a Master’s degree in Ecology, PhD in Biology, specialization in Molecular Biology, and Habilitation in Life Sciences, specialization in Microbiology (University of Coimbra). He has been investigating the role of microorganisms (microfungi, microalgae and bacteria) in the biodeterioration of different materials and supports of cultural heritage, like paper, parchment, wood and stone. His research has been performed in different monuments, museums, libraries and other cultural assets and collections, like the Arquivo da Universidade de Coimbra, Paula Rego Museum, Machado de Castro National Museum, Monuments of the UNESCO site “Universidade de Coimbra, Alta e Sofia”, Batalha Monastery, Lemos´s pantheon, among others, trying also to develop alternative and sustainable control tools and methods of disinfection. António Portugal has been enrolled in several research projects as principal investigator or team member, dedicated to the field of biodeterioration and conservation of cultural heritage. He has also supervised or supervises several PhD and Master theses in biodeterioration. He authored dozens of research and review articles on many leading international journals in the areas of biodeterioration, microbiology and cultural heritage. He is also the editor and reviewer of several prominent journals dedicated to those scientific areas.
He is an Associate Professor with Habilitation at the Department of Life Sciences of the University of Coimbra, where he teaches Genetics, Genetic Resources and Bioremediation. He is also Director of the Fitolab – Laboratory for Phytopatology of the IPN, dedicated to the detection and research of pests and diseases affecting horticultural, fruit, and forest species.