Ana Costa
anacosta@alcarob.pt
Faro, Portugal
University of Algarve
- Organic Synthesis
- Polymers and Hybrid Materials
- Nanoparticles
- Applications in Pharmaceuticals, Electronics, Environmental Science and Biomedicine
Education and Academic Background
She graduated in Applied Chemistry from the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of NOVA University Lisbon in 1989.
She obtained her PhD in Organic Chemistry from the same university in 1996. She subsequently completed postdoctoral research in the group where she obtained her PhD and in the research group of Henry Rzepa at Imperial College London.
Teaching and Institutional Experience
- She worked as a temporary Physics and Chemistry teacher at lower and upper secondary education levels.
- She was also an Assistant Professor at the Beja campus of Universidade Moderna and subsequently served as Coordinator of the Civil Engineering degree programme between 1997 and 2000, as well as President of the Scientific Council between 1998 and 2000
Career at the University of Algarve
In October 2000, she joined the University of Algarve as an Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry.
Since then, she has conducted research in the field of organic synthesis, particularly in polymer synthesis and the chemical modification of natural polymers, as well as in the synthesis of nanoparticles and hybrid materials, with applications in pharmaceuticals, electronics, environmental science and biomedicine.
She has been an Associate Professor since August 2024.
Research and Scientific Output
She is an integrated researcher at CENSE – Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research and CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute.
She has been part of the teams of 14 funded scientific projects. She is co-author of more than 75 scientific articles, one international patent, three Physics and Chemistry textbooks, and one Chemistry textbook for secondary education.
Supervision and Academic Activities
She has co-supervised three PhD theses, supported two doctoral students undertaking mobility programmes, and supervised or co-supervised around ten master’s theses.
She has also supervised several scientific internships and teaching internships in Physics and Chemistry.
Academic Management and Community Engagement
She has participated in community outreach and knowledge-transfer activities.
She is President of the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy and a consultant to a spin-off company. She previously served as President of the Pedagogical Council of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology at the University of Algarve, Coordinator of the Organic Chemistry Section, and a member of the Safety Committee and Executive Committee of the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy.
She has also served on committees overseeing PhD students, degree programme boards, and the Accreditation Committee of the Integrated Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. She has additionally contributed to the development of the University of Algarve’s academic programmes.
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