Luísa Caetano Davies

(Research Scientist)

 

Status at Centre for Biological and Chemical Engineering:

·     Research Scientist in the Environmental and Ecoprocess Engineering Research Group

Education:

·        PhD in Biotechnology, Instituto Superior Técnico, Technical University of Lisbon,Portugal, 2006.

·        MSc in Biotechnology (Biochemical Engineering), Instituto Superior Técnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal, 2002.

·       Graduation in Chemistry, Faculdade de Ciências, University of Lisbon, Portugal, 1997.

  Positions:

·    (2009 - ...) Research Scientist in the Environmental and Ecoprocess Engineering Research Group

·    (2006 - 2009) Post-Doc research fellow, “Phytoremediation of soils contaminated with organic compounds” in the Environmental and Ecoprocess Engineering Research Group, IST, UTL, Lisbon, Portugal (Supervisor: Prof. S. Martins-Dias).

·     (2001 - 2006) PhD student in Biotechnology, “Biodegradation of an azo dye in a vertical flow constructed wetland” in the Environmental and Ecoprocess Engineering Research Group, IST, UTL, Lisbon, Portugal (Supervisors: Prof. S. Martins-Dias and Prof. J. M. Novais).

·    (2001 – 2002) MSc student in Biotechnology "Recycling of olive mill wastewaters as organic fertilizer by the use of superabsorbent polymers" in the Environmental and Ecoprocess Engineering Research Group, IST, UTL, Lisbon, Portugal (Supervisor: Prof. S. Martins-Dias).

·     (1999 – 2001) Research grant “R & D project for the application of superabsorbent polymers to agricultural and industrial wastewaters” in the Environmental and Ecoprocess Engineering Research Group, IST, UTL, Lisbon, Portugal (Supervisor: Prof. S. Martins-Dias).

·    (1997-2000) Research grant "Design of a technological and financial masterplan for the adaptation of Portuguese olive mills to the new environmental legislation” (Agriculture Ministry, GPPA, Farmers Confederation, CAP, IST, Drena and SOLVAY) in the Environmental and Ecoprocess Engineering Research Group, IST, UTL, Lisbon, Portugal (Supervisor: Prof. S. Martins-Dias).

·    (1996-1997) Degree project R & D project for a low-cost technological solution with energetic valorisation (biogas) for the treatment of winery wastewaters" in the Department of Renewable Energies of INETI (Supervisors: Eng. Santino di Berardino and Prof. Carlos Castro).

·    (07/1996-09/1996) Summer project Calibration of a PID thermostatic system to measure thermal conductivities in gaseous phase at the Department of Chemical Engineering of Imperial College, London, UK. (Supervisors: Prof. Carlos Castro and Prof. Bill Wakeham).

Research Activities:

·       Constructed Wetlands Wastewater treatment / Phragmites australis oxidative stress response 

·       Phytoremediation of contaminated soils / The -omics of detoxification in Phragmites australis

Grants:

 ·     Post-Doc Scholarship from “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia" (SFRH/BPD/22132/2005).

 ·     PhD Scholarship from “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia" (SFRH/BD/3176/2000).

Co-Supervising experience:

·         PhD :

    (ongoing) "Phytoremediation of soils contaminated with organic compounds", Renata Ferreira, Environmental Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico Universidade Técnica de Lisboa.   

·         Final year projects :

    (2004) "Searching for answers in constructed wetlands", Cátia Carias, Biological Engineering , IST, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa. 

   (2004) "Estudo da degradação do corante, ácido Orange 7, numa zona húmida artificial", Filipa Rodrigues e Patrícia Vicente, Environmental Engineering, IST, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa.   

    (2005) "Estudo da cinética de degradação de um corante azo numa zona húmida artificial em regime pulsado", Ana Malta Vacas, Environmental Engineering IST, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa. 

    (2007) "Tratamento de efluentes têxteis: subsector do algodão", Diogo Rosa, Environmental Engineering, UALG.

Publications:

Luísa Caetano Davies, 2006, “Biodegradation of an azo-dye in a constructed wetland”, PhD Thesis, Instituto Superior Técnico Universidade Técnica de Lisboa. 

Luísa Caetano Davies, 2002, "Recycling of olive mill wastewaters as organic fertilizer by the use of superabsorbent polymers", MSc Thesis, Instituto Superior Técnico – Universidade Técnica de Lisboa.

Luísa Caetano, 1997, R & D project for a low-cost technological solution with energetic valorisation (biogas) for the treatment of winery wastewaters", Graduation Thesis, Faculdade de Ciências – Universidade de Lisboa.

L. C. Davies, G. J. M. Cabrita, R. A. Ferreira, C. C. Carias, J. M. Novais, S. Martins-Dias, "Integrated study of the role of Phragmites australis in azo-dye treatment in a constructed wetland: from pilot to molecular scale", 2009. Ecological Engineering, 35(6), 961-970.

F. G. Freire, L. C. Davies, A. M. Vacas, J. M. Novais and S. Martins-Dias, "Influence of operating conditions on the degradation kinetics of an azo-dye in a vertical flow constructed wetland using a simple mechanistic model", 2009. Ecological Engineering, 35(10), 1379-1386.

L. C. Davies, I. S. Pedro, R. A. Ferreira, F. G. Freire, J. M. Novais and S. Martins-Dias "Constructed wetland treatment system in textile industry and sustainable development", 2008. Water Science and Technology, 58(10), 2017-2023.

L.C. Davies , A. Vacas, J.M. Novais, F.G. Freire, S. Martins-Dias, “Vertical flow constructed wetland for textile effluent treatment ”, 2007. Water Science and Technology, 55 (7), 127-134.

L.C. Davies,  J.M. Novais, S. Martins-Dias, “Aerobic degradation of acid orange 7 in a vertical-flow constructed wetland”, 2006. Water Research, 40, 2055-2063.

L.C. Davies, C.C. Carias, J.M. Novais, S. Martins-Dias, “Phytoremediation of textile effluents containing azo dye by using Phragmites australis in a vertical flow intermittent feeding constructed wetland”, 2005. Ecological Engineering, 25, 594-605. 

L.C. Davies,  J.M. Novais, S. Martins-Dias, “Influence of salts and phenolic compounds on olive mill wastewater detoxification using superabsorbent polymers”, 2004. Bioresource Technology, 95(3), 259-268.

L.C. Davies, J.M. Novais, S. Martins-Dias, “Detoxification of olive mill wastewaters by superabsorbent polymers application”, 2004. Environmental Technology, 25(1), 89-100.

L.C. Davies, A. Vilhena, J.M. Novais, S. Martins-Dias, “Olive Mill Wastewater characteristics: Modelling and Statistical treatment”, 2004. Grasas Y Aceites, 55 (3), 233-241.

S. Berardino,  L. Caetano, A. Converti, “Characterization and anaerobic pre-treatment of the effluent from a wine co-operative”, 2001. Engineering in Life Sciences 1(3), 127-131.

Davies L.C., Vilhena A., Novais J.M., Martins-Dias S., “Modelling of Olive Mill Wastewater characterizations”, 2003. In: Progress in water Resources, vol. 9 - Water Pollution VII: Modelling, Measuring and Prediction (Water Pollution 2003), Edited by: Brebbia C.A. WITT press, pp.313-322.  

Davies L. C. , Ferreira R., Cabrita G. , Novais J., Martins-Dias S., "Are plants a solution for textile wastewater treatment?", New Biotechnology (25S), pp. S185, 14th European Congress on Biotechnology, 13-16th September 2009.

L. C. Davies, I. S. Pedro, R. A. Ferreira, F. G. Freire, J. M. Novais and S. Martins-Dias, "Constructed wetland treatment system in textile industry and sustainable development", World Water Congress, Vienna, 7-12th September 2008, pp. 59-60.

Luísa C. Davies, Gonçalo Cabrita, Renata Ferreira, Cátia Carias, Júlio M. Novais, Susete Martins-Dias, 2007, “Integrated study of the role of Phragmites australis in azo-dye treatment in a constructed wetland: from pilot to molecular scale”, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia, 16th – 20th September, pp.75-77.

Luísa C. Davies, Júlio Novais, Gonçalo Cabrita, Susete Martins-Dias, “Phragmites australis foliar catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide-dismutase gene expression within a constructed wetland used for an azo dye effluent treatment”. 10th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, Lisboa, Portugal, 23rd - 29th de September 2006, vol 3, pp.1493-1500.

Filipe Freire, Luísa C. Davies, Ana M. Vacas, Isabel Pedro, Júlio Novais, Susete Martins-Dias, “Continuous and intermittent loading of a Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland for an azo dye treatment (Modelling Aspects)”. 10th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, Lisboa, Portugal, 23rd - 29th de September 2006, vol 3, pp. 1501-1510.

Cátia C. Carias, Luísa C. Davies, Júlio M. Novais, Susete Martins-Dias, “O papel da glutationa S-transferase de Phragmites australis na fitoremediação de um corante azo (AO7)” 12 – 14 June 2006, Conferência Internacional sobre a água, Porto, Portugal.

Davies L. C., Vacas A., Novais J. M., Freire F. G., Martins-Dias S. “Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland for Textile Effluent Treatment” 7th Specialised Conference on Small Water and Wastewater Systems, 7-10 March 2006, Mexico city, Mexico.

Davies L.C., Vicente P., Rodrigues F., Novais J. M., Martins-Dias S. “Degradação de um corante azo num leito piloto vertical plantado com Phragmites sp.” 27-29 October 2004, 8ª Conferência Nacional do Ambiente, CCB, Lisboa (CD-ROM)

Davies L.C., Carias C. C., Novais J. M., Martins-Dias S. “Determinação do papel das peroxidases de Phragmites sp., na resposta ao Stress, causado pela presença de um corante azo” 27-29 October 2004, 8ª Conferência Nacional do Ambiente, CCB, Lisboa (CD-ROM)

Davies L. C.;. Pedro I. S.; Novais J. M.; Martins-dias S. “Degradação de corantes azo da indústria têxtil em zonas húmidas artificiais” 12-15 October 2004, 11º Encontro Nacional de Saneamento Básico, Universidade do Algarve, Faro – Portugal.  

L. C. Davies, R. Ferreira, F. Freire, J. Novais, S. Martins-Dias, "Phragmites' sp. chemical stress response through proteomic analysis", Final International Conference on phytotechnologies to promote sustainable land use and improve food safety. COST Action 859 - Phyto 2009, Ascona, Switzerland, 11-16th October 2009

L. C. Davies, F. Scalera, R. Ferreira, C. Antunes, J.M. Novais, J. P. Schwitzguébel, S. Martins-Dias, "Molecular analysis of the degradation of textile dyes by the enzymatic array of Phragmites sp.", 3rd Wetland Pollutant Dynamics and Control Symposium Wetpol 2009, Barcelona, Spain, 20-24th September 2009

L. C. Davies, I. S. Pedro, R. A. Ferreira, F. G. Freire, J. M. Novais and S. Martins-Dias, "Constructed wetland treatment system in textile industry and sustainable development", World Water Congress, Vienna, 7-12th September 2008.

Luísa C. Davies, Gonçalo Cabrita, Renata Ferreira, Cátia Carias, Júlio M. Novais, Susete Martins-Dias, "Integrated study of the role of Phragmites australis in azo-dye treatment in a constructed wetland: from pilot to molecular scale”, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia, 16th – 20th September 2007.

Luisa C. Davies, Gonçalo Cabrita, Renata Ferreira, Cátia Carias, Júlio M. Novais, Susete Martins-Dias, “In-search of na in-depth understanding of phytoremediation by Phragmites sp.”, COST Action 859 – Phytotechnologies to promote sustainable land use and improve food safety, Vilnius, Lithuania, 30 May to 1 June 2007.

R. A. Ferreira, L. C. Davies, J. M. Novais, S. Martins-Dias, "Adequação e optimização do método de quantificação de proteínas ao método de extracção de tecidos de plantas", SPQ-Analítica'07, Lisbon, Portugal, 29th - 30th March 2007.

Luísa C. Davies, Júlio Novais, Gonçalo Cabrita, “Phragmites australis foliar Catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide-dismutase gene expression within a constructed wetland used for an azo dye effluent treatment”. 10th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, Lisboa, Portugal, 23rd - 29th de September 2006.

Filipe Freire, Luísa C. Davies, Ana M. Vacas, Isabel Pedro, Júlio Novais, Susete Martins-Dias, “Continuous and intermittent loading of a Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland for an azo dye treatment (Modelling Aspects)”. 10th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, Lisboa, Portugal, 23rd - 29th de September 2006.

Luísa C. Davies, Gonçalo Cabrita, Júlio M. Novais, Susete Martins-Dias, “Identification of genes responsible for Phragmites phytoremediation: Possible application in agricultural soils decontamination”  COST ACTION 859, WG2 + WG3 -omic approaches and agricultural management: driving forces to improve food quality and safety? Saint-Etienne, France, 31 August – 2 September 2006.

Cátia C. Carias, Luísa C. Davies, Júlio M. Novais, Susete Martins-Dias, “O papel da glutationa S-transferase de Phragmites australis na fitoremediação de um corante azo (AO7)”  Conferência Internacional sobre a água, Porto, Portugal, 12th – 14th June 2006.

Ana M. Vacas, Luísa C. Davies, Júlio Novais, Filipe Freire, Susete Martins-Dias, “Influence of Abiotic Factors in the Kinetics of a Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland by a Mechanistic Model.” Cost859 - Phytotechnologies lessons from pilot and field scale (phytotechnologies to promote sustainable land use and improve food safety), Lisboa, Portugal, 27th-29th de April de 2006.

Davies L. C., Vacas A., Novais J. M., Freire F. G., Martins-Dias S, “Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland for Textile Effluent Treatment” 7th Specialised Conference on Small Water and Wastewater Systems, Mexico city, Mexico 7th -10th March 2006.

Davies L.C., Cabrita G., Novais J., Martins-Dias S, “Identification of genes and proteins responsible for Phragmites phytoremediation ” , COST ACTION 859, WG2 – Phytotechnologies to promote sustainable land use management and improve food safety, Parma, Italy, 4th – 6th November 2004.

Hugo Ramos, Luísa Davies, Cátia Carias, Júlio Novais, Susete Martins-Dias, “Phytoremediation of organic compounds in constructed wetlands”  COST Action 859,Working Group 4 Meeting-Integration and Application of Phytotechnologies, Leipzig, Germany, 28th-29th October 2004.

Davies L.C., Carias C. C., Novais J. M., Martins-Dias S., “Determinação do papel das peroxidases de Phragmites sp., na resposta ao Stress, causado pela presença de um corante azo”  8ª Conferência Nacional do Ambiente, CCB, Lisbon, Portugal,  27th-29th October 2004.

Davies L.C., Vicente P., Rodrigues F., Novais J. M., Martins-Dias S., “Degradação de um corante azo num leito piloto vertical plantado com Phragmites sp.”  8ª Conferência Nacional do Ambiente, CCB, Lisbon, Portugal, 27th-29th October 2004.

Davies L. C.;. Pedro I. S.; Novais J. M.; Martins-dias S., “Degradação de corantes azo da indústria têxtil em zonas húmidas artificiais”  11º Encontro Nacional de Saneamento Básico, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal, 12th-15th October 2004.

Davies L.C., Cabrita G., Carias C., Novais J.M., Martins-Dias S., “Phragmites sp. enzymatic role in wetlands towards azo-dye mitigation”, The 7th Intecol International wetlands conference in Utrecht, The Netherlands, 25th – 30th July 2004.

Martins-Dias S., Davies L.C., Novais J.M., “Update on the Use and Capabilities of Constructed Wetlands”,  2nd Meeting of the NATO-CCMS Pilot Study – Phase II, Clean Products and Processes”, Budapeste, Hungary, 1st-6th May 2004.

Davies L.C., Vilhena A., Novais J.M., Martins-Dias S., “Modelling of olive mill wastewater characteristics”,  Water Pollution 2003 Seventh International Conference on Modelling, Measuring and Prediction of Water Pollution, Cadiz, Spain, 18th - 20th June 2003.

Berardino S., Caetano L., "Characterization and Laboratory Studies of pre-treatment of Winery Wastewaters", 1998. Ibero-American Congress on Biotechnology, Braga, Portugal.  

  • Participation in Research Projects:

(2007-2011) FCT Principal Investigator “Fitoremediation of soils contaminated by organic compounds” financed by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (PTDC /AMB/ 67641 /2006).

(1997-2000) Team member of the Scientific and Technological Cooperation contract “Design of a technological and financial master plan for the adaptation of Portuguese olive mills to the new environmental legislation” Agriculture Ministry (GPPA), Farmers Confederation (CAP), IST, Drena and SOLVAY.

  • Posters

S. Martins-Dias, J.-P. Schwitzguébel, L. Davies, F. Scalera, R. Ferreira, C. Antunes, "Degradation of textile dyes by the enzymatic array of Phragmites sp.", Final International Conference on phytotechnologies to promote sustainable land use and improve food safety. COST Action 859 - Phyto 2009, Ascona, Switzerland, 11st-16th October 2009.

Ferreira R., Davies L., Novais J.M., Martins-Dias S., "Comparative analysis of Phragmites australis leaves and roots protein extraction methods", 3rd Wetland Pollutant Dynamics and Control Symposium Wetpol 2009, Barcelona, Spain, 20-24th September 2009.

L. C. Davies, R. Ferreira, G. Cabrita, J. Novais, S. Martins-Dias, "Are plants a solution for textile wastewater treatment?", 14th European Congress on Biotechnology, Barcelona, Spain, 13-16 September 2009.

L. C. Davies, G. Cabrita, R. Ferreira, C. Carias, J. M. Novais, S. Martins-Dias. "In search of an in-depth understanding of phytoremediation by Phragmites sp." American Society of Plant Biologists, Mérida, Mexico, 26th June - 1st July 2008.

Cabrita G., Davies L. C., Novais J.M. and Martins-Dias S. “The genomics of detoxification in Phragmites australis”  COST ACTION 859, WG2 + WG3 -omic approaches and agricultural management: driving forces to improve food quality and safety? Saint-Etienne, France, 31st August – 2nd September 2006.

Ana M. Vacas, Luísa C. Davies, Júlio Novais, Filipe Freire, Susete Martins-Dias. “Influence of Abiotic Factors in the Kinetics of a Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland by a Mechanistic Model.” Cost859 - Phytotechnologies lessons from pilot and field scale (phytotechnologies to promote sustainable land use and improve food safety), Lisboa, Portugal, 27th-29th April 2006.

Vacas A., Davies L.C., Novais J.M., Freire F.G., Martins-Dias S, “Estudo da Cinética de Degradação dum Corante Azo numa Zona Húmida Artificial em Regime Pulsado ”, 9th International Chemical Engineering Conference, Coimbra, Portugal, 21st-23rd September 2005.

Cátia C. Carias, Luísa Davies, Júlio Novais, Susete Martins-Dias, “Searching for answers in Constructed Wetlands: The enzymatic role of Phragmites sp. in the degradation of an azo dye (Acid Orange 7)”  1st Scientific Workshop COST 859, Pisa, Italy, 14th-16th June 2005.

Pedro I., Davies L.C., Novais J.M., Martins-Dias S., “Acid Orange biodegradation in a vertical constructed wetland”,  BIOTEC’2003, X congresso Nacional de Biotecnologia, Lisboa-Portugal, 6th-8th December 2003.

Berardino S., Caetano L. "Characterization and laboratory pre-treatment study of the effluent from a wine co-operative",  International Specialized Conference on Winery Wastewaters, Bordeaux, France,1998. 

  • Prizes and Awards:

"Young Scientist Award" in COST 859 - Saint-Etienne Workshop (2006), for best oral communication “Identification of genes responsible for Phragmites phytoremediation: Possible application in agricultural soils decontamination”. 

 

  • Contacts:

Telephone: +(351) 218 419124  

Fax:+(351) 218 419 062 

E-mail : Luísa Davies

 

 

Last updated, Friday, 27 November 2009