Interview with Dr. Sara Isabel Ribeiro de Sousa—Winner of the Toxics 2023 Best PhD Thesis Award

Affiliation: REQUIMTE/LAQV, ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal

Research Interests: analytical chemistry; chemical engineering; sustainability; chromatography; sample preparation, public health; environmental health; food safety; OneHealth; quality control

Dr. Sara Isabel Ribeiro de Sousa, now a chemical engineer from Portugal, completed her Ph.D. in Sustainable Chemistry in 2023 from the Faculty of Sciences University of Porto, in association with the University of Aveiro and the NOVA University of Lisbon, Portugal. Since 2011, she has been a researcher at the GRAQ laboratory (Chemical Reactions and Analysis Group), a subgroup of the REQUIMTE/LAQV [Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE)] located on the campus of the ISEP (Porto School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto) where she received her master’s degree in chemical engineering. Her research mainly focuses on developing sample preparation (considering the parameters of green chemistry) and analytical methods for monitoring trace organic compounds in biological, food, and environmental samples, using chromatographic techniques. She has published 22 scientific journal articles with 181 citations, and her h-index is 9.

We want to congratulate Dr. Sara Isabel Ribeiro de Sousa for winning the Toxics 2023 Best PhD Thesis Award.

The following is from an interview with Dr. Sara Isabel Ribeiro de Sousa:

1. Could you please briefly introduce the scientific research you conducted during your doctoral study?

During my Ph.D., I developed analytical methods to detect environmental pollutants in human adipose tissue and monitor the levels of these chemicals in adipose tissue from the female population while considering the greenness and eco-sustainability of the analytical technique.

Chemical environmental pollution and its impact on public health is a topic of great interest to me. The environmental pollutants I studied are widespread across the environment and included organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, brominated flame retardants, organophosphate esters, and synthetic musks. These have been marked as endocrine disruptors or potential endocrine disruptors, which are exogenous chemical substances capable of altering the endocrine system. Exposure to these compounds can lead to the onset of metabolic alterations linked to several diseases, such as breast cancer and other hormone-dependent cancers, diabetes, obesity, miscarriage, birth defects, infertility, vitamin D deficiency, and dyslipidemia.

Adipose tissue is described as the most adequate matrix for these compounds, yet biomonitoring studies and analytical methods for the analysis of these chemicals in adipose tissue are scarce. Aiming to lessen this gap, I developed a method that allows the simultaneous extraction of 74 lipophilic environmental pollutants. The method is simple, accurate, precise, and sensitive, while only requiring small amounts of adipose tissue and an organic solvent.

The analysis of subcutaneous, visceral, and breast adipose tissue from over 200 Portuguese women revealed high detection rates of environmental pollutants. The association of these results with the patient's biochemical parameters shows that these compounds can alter several metabolic processes. Additionally, through in vitro studies, I verified that some compounds could alter breast cancer cells and impair vitamin D pathways.

2. Did you encounter any difficulties in carrying out this research? How did you overcome them?

Yes, several. The main difficulty I faced was the COVID-19 pandemic. My second and third Ph.D. years were during quarantine; consequently, my university and research unit closed for months. I couldn’t do experimental work during those periods. Additionally, as my work involved human samples, I was dependent on the hospital to recruit volunteers and collect samples. The COVID-19 pandemic caused restrictions and hospital burdens to suspend sample collection. It was a very stressful time for me.

I did my Ph.D. under a national scholarship grant and, fortunately, the financial institution, FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology), prolonged my grant and paid an extra year of tuition, which allowed me to complete my work plan.

Even so, what was crucial to overcome all the issues and setbacks were the people around me. I have been blessed with an extraordinary supervisor team: Prof. Valentina Domingues and Prof. Conceição Calhau, and the research group coordinator, Prof. Cristina Delerue-Matos, who were relentless in assuring I got what I needed to continue my work as soon as the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. I am very grateful for all they did and still do for me.

3. As an author, what aspects of a journal do you value most when choosing a journal to publish your academic work?

First and foremost, the journal’s integrity and reputation in the scientific community. The scope alignment with my research topic and the quality of the peer review process should be transparent and offer constructive feedback. I also see the journal impact factor and quartile, and make sure the journal is indexed in the major databases to make my work accessible to a broader audience.

4. Many doctoral students experience pressure to publish papers and worry about delaying graduation. What advice do you have for doctoral students who have not yet graduated?

I understand the pressure and anxiety associated with publishing papers and the fear of delaying graduation. In my opinion, what matters most is the quality of your research. It is crucial to feel comfortable and confident with your work before seeking publication. Rushing to publish or adhering to the “publish or perish” mentality can compromise the integrity and impact of your research. Focus on producing meaningful and robust results that you are proud of. This approach will not only enhance the quality and impact of your work but also facilitate quicker publication and greater recognition in the scientific community in the long term. And remember, you are not alone. All over the world, doctoral students experience this pressure and uncertainty. It's part of the package, and in the end, we triumph.