Sara Isabel Augusto Fateixa

Scientific Track Record She has presently 36 published papers in high quality international journals (h-index = 11, 394 citations on Scopus) and 1 book chapter. SF is the first author of a manuscript concerning the application of Raman imaging to textiles fibres characterization that was internationally recognised by the WITec Paper Award-Silver 2017, for innovative applications of RCM. She provided 40 presentations (9 oral) and given 1 invited oral communication in an international conference.

Selected results:

- In her PhD, Fateixa el al. have reported for the first timethe direct correlation between the gel strength of a hydrogel composite used as substrate and its analytical SERS sensitivity. (Fateixa et al. J.Phys.Chem.C 118 (2014) 10384)

- In her first paper as correspondent author, Fateixa et al. have described the application of SERS to the development of gelatine formulations of potential interest for pesticides release in soils. (Fateixa et al. Analyst 140 (2015) 1693).

- HerPos-Doc research has focused on nanomaterials based textile fibers as substrates for SERS imaging studies/chemical analysis. This research also involved the supervision of MSc student, leading to the publication of 2 papers specialized in Raman methods: Fateixa et al. J. Raman Spectrosc. 47 (2016) 1239; Fateixa el al. J. Raman Spectrosc. 48 (2017) 795. The former publication was selected as the best peer-reviewed scientific paper by WITec, wining the WITec Paper Award-Silver 2017 for outstanding results and images using the WITec CRM.

- Her critical review as first author (Phys.Chem.Chem.Phys. 17 (2015) 21046) was selected by the Royal Society of Chemistry for journal cover (55 citations). This is one of the few publications describing the state of the art on the use of hybrid nanomaterials in the context of Raman methods applied to analytical chemistry.

- SF had a major contribution in the development of new SERS substrates for water quality monitoring as illustrated by the following topics: i) SERS detection of water pollutants at the attomolar level (ACS Omega 3 (2018) 4331); filter membranes for the extraction/SERS detection of pesticides (Talanta 182 (2018) 558); magnetite/Au stars composites for the uptake/SERS detection of tetracycline (Nanomaterials 9 (2019) 31).

- SF had a pivotal role in providing support and training in CRM at CICECO. This interest is attested by the dissemination of science for young students and general public, including visits to the Raman spectroscopy laboratory and her participation in the radio broadcasting “Os dias do Futuro – A investigação e a inovação” concerning the application of Nanotechnology into the textile industry.

Work Experience 

Sara Fateixa (SF, born in 1984) graduated in Industrial Chemistry and Management (2006, University of Aveiro-UA), completed her Master degree in Analytical Chemistry and Quality Control (2007, UA) and obtained her PhD degree in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology (2013, FCT grant 4 years, UA). SF was a post-doc researcher at UA and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (2018, FCT grant 4 years).

SF is currently a Junior Researcher (2018–up to date, work contract 3 years, UA-CICECO). Following her PhD, whose research activities were mainly directed to the fabrication of nanocomposites for SERS analysis of vestigial molecules, her research line focused a topic of interest and potential for materials characterization, by employing Raman spectroscopic methods namely SERS, Raman imaging and TERS (Tip-enhanced Raman Scattering) to analyse diverse nanostructures. SF took advantage of this formation and has developed specialised know-how on the use of non-trivial Raman methods for nanoscale characterization in an analytical chemistry context, being themain operator of the first RCM with atomic force microscopy (AFM) in Portugal, acquired by CICECO. 

Sara has participated in 1 research project funded by FCT, was an organizing member of 8th Inorganic Chemistry Conference (Portugal, 2009) and RICI8-8th Iberian Meeting on Colloids and Interfaces (Portugal, 2019) and has given support to teaching in laboratory/practical classes. She has (co-)supervised 2 Master students, 1 research student and was also responsible for the training of 4 graduate students. She was member of an international academic jury of a PhD degree (UAMadrid). She is currently a Topic Editor of Sensors, MDPI publishing group. 

Scientific Track Record 

SF co-authored 36 publications in international peer reviewed journals (263 citations) and 1 book chapter (as correspondent author). She is the first author in about 55% of the publications and the corresponding author in 20 % publications. SF has given 5 oral communications and co-authored 27 posters in international and national congresses. In the last 3 years, SF has peer reviewed 11 articles. SF is the first author of a manuscript concerning the application of Raman imaging to textiles fibres characterization that was recognised by the WITec Paper Award-Silver 2017, for innovative applications of Raman confocal microscopy.

Scientific Interests 

Her current research interests are mainly focused on the use of SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering), Raman imaging and TERS (Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering) applied to nanoscale materials. She has been particularly keen in extending this knowledge to the development of analytical protocols applied to health and environmental applications. SF is an active laboratorial practitioner in the field of nanomaterials and inorganic synthesis. 

The Special Issue "Recent development in platforms for SERS applications" on Chemosensors, is now open for submission! It's available at the following link:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/chemosensors/special_issues/RDPSA