Melo Maria João

Maria João Melo

is Full Professor at the Department of Conservation and Restoration of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology-New University of Lisbon (DCR/FCT-UNL) and a Research scientist at REQUIMTE.

After a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry (1995), specifically in Photochemistry, she decided to apply her expertise towards conservation of works of art. As Italy is a leader in this area, she chooses to do her PostDoc in Florence (1996-98), working at the Italian Research Council (CNR). She became an expert in infrared spectroscopy applied to cultural heritage (CH) and started research on the photodegradation mechanisms in protective polymeric systems, predicting performance lifetimes.

At her return to Portugal in 1998, she participated in the creation of the Department of Conservation and Restoration at FCT-UNL. She is presently its president as well as the coordinator of its Ph.D. Program in CR.

She has participated in 10 research projects and was the PI of 6 (539 k€) and author of over 80 publications in scientific journals listed in Web of Science. She participates, regularly, in national and international congresses, having presented more than 80 oral communications.

Her present challenge is to strengthen her interdisciplinary research and approach, at the frontiers of the social and natural sciences, promoting public engagement.