Ricardo Manuel Fernandes da Costa

Experiência

Ricardo M. F. da Costa is an Assistant Researcher at the University of Coimbra, Faculty of Sciences and Technology (FCTUC). He holds a PhD in Life Sciences (Biochemistry/Biology) from the University of Wales - Aberystwyth (2016). His scientific profile and research interests focus on Phytochemicals and Plant Structural Biochemistry, linking it to functional traits and resilience under biotic and abiotic stress, with applications in phytosanitary mitigation, biomass valorisation, and sustainable bio-based materials. He has led the FCT-funded PineWALL project (PTDC/ASP-SIL/3142/2020; ~€240k), investigating how pine cell wall architecture underpins defence responses and resistance to the pinewood nematode and pine wilt disease. In parallel, he is developing interpretable spectrochemical marker pipelines for early phytosanitary diagnosis using infrared spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, and chemometrics, complemented by glycomics and immunolabelling. Since 2017, he has built a track record spanning methodological development and applications across forestry and crop systems. His past experiences also includes metagenomic discovery of cellulolytic enzymes and clinical biomarker studies. In 2025 he was awarded his current position through the competitive CEEC-FCT scheme. Ricardo also has extensively focused on student supervision and in building interdisciplinary collaborations across the University of Coimbra, other Portuguese institutions, and international partners.