My research is centred on phytotechnologies (viz. phytoremediation and phytomining), plant metal bioindication, and contamination in roadside environments. I am especially interested in unfolding the potential of plants for tackling legacy and emerging pollutants, harvesting valuable elements, and mitigating climate change. Consequently, a great deal of my work also involves organic soil amendments (such as technosols and biochar), plant growth-promoting bacteria, and novel environment-friendly metal chelating agents.

• Distribution and accumulation of metals in soil and vegetation surrounding a molybdenum roasting facility at the Sierrita mine (Pima County – Arizona). LabEx DRIIHM programme, CNRS France (2020-2022) [€10,000] (PI)
• PHYTOHM - The potential of phytoremediation to improve contaminated and degraded soils within the OHM network: Estarreja Chemical Complex and Pima County, Arizona (in partnership with the University of Arizona). LabEx DRIIHM programme, CNRS France (2020-2022) [€15,000] (PI)
• PLANTS2CLEAN: Plant-based technologies to clean the soils of two industrially polluted sites in Portugal and France, Programme for Cooperation in Science between Portugal and France, FCT/Hubert Curien Programme-CAMPUSFRANCE, FCT/5482 (2020-2021) [€10,000] (PI)
• PHYTAILMET - Phytomanagement of mine tailings: Remediation and recovery of valuable metals, Sino-Portuguese Programme for Cooperation in Science & Technology, Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and Ministry of Science and Technology of China of the People’s Republic of China (MOST). Grant No. FCT/21122/28/12/2016/S (2017-2019) [€50,000] (Co-I)
• PhytoSUDOE - Demonstration of the improvement in soil biodiversity, functionality and ecosystem services through phytomanagement in contaminated soils, Interreg Sudoe Programme, European Union. Grant No. SOE1/P5/E0189 (2016-2018) [global budget, ~€1 million; Team budget, €125,000] (Co-I)
• Evaluation and phytoremediation of roadside soils in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Support to Projects in the State of Rio de Janeiro, FAPERJ - Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Grant No. 211962 (2015-2018) [€60,000] (Co-PI)
• Unravelling the potential of gold mine tailings: Sustainable phytomining, Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Portugal. Grant No. SFRH/BPD/103476/2014 (2015-2018) [€55,000] (PI)
• Gold phytomining – Innovation and Sustainability, Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brazil. Grant No. 150084/2014-5 (2014-2015) [€25,000] (PI)