Pos doctor at Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys | Brazil
Larissa Magalhães de Almeida Melo is a Brazilian researcher specializing in analytical and forensic chemistry, with an emphasis on electrochemical detection methods for drugs of abuse. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM) under Prof. Dr. Wallans Torres Pio dos Santos. Her doctoral research focuses on developing portable, field-deployable methods for drug screening. In 2024, she undertook a Sandwich Ph.D. program at Manchester Metropolitan University with Prof. Craig Banks, further advancing her work in colorimetric and electrochemical sensors. With over 160 citations and an H-index of 9, Larissa has contributed significantly to high-impact journals in analytical chemistry. She combines her expertise in electrochemical sensing, device fabrication, and forensic toxicology to innovate rapid and cost-effective screening technologies. Her international collaborations and technical contributions highlight her growing influence in modern forensic science and public health monitoring.
Professional Profile
Google Scholar
Orcid
Education
Larissa Melo’s academic journey demonstrates a progressive dedication to chemistry and engineering. She is currently a Ph.D. fellow (2021–2025) at UFVJM in Brazil, where her research involves the development of portable methods for forensic drug detection. In 2024, she participated in a Sandwich Ph.D. at Manchester Metropolitan University under Prof. Craig Banks. Prior to her doctorate, she earned a Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry (2019–2021) from UFVJM, where she developed a screening method for synthetic tryptamines. She also completed a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering (2018–2023) and another in Science and Technology (2014–2018) at UFVJM. Her foundational education includes a technical course in Electrical Technology (2010–2013) from the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo. This solid multidisciplinary background has equipped her with strong skills in analytical instrumentation, electrochemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering, all of which support her advanced research in forensic applications.
Professional Experience
Larissa Melo brings strong academic and research experience, particularly in forensic electrochemistry. Her doctoral work (2021–2025) at UFVJM focuses on creating portable devices for the electrochemical detection of synthetic drugs. In 2024, she joined Manchester Metropolitan University under a Sandwich Ph.D. program, working with Prof. Craig Banks on hybrid sensor systems. During her Master’s (2019–2021), she developed a fast electrochemical method for tryptamine detection. She has co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications in top journals, often collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on drug screening innovations using screen-printed electrodes, colorimetric methods, and 3D-printed analytical tools. Larissa has also contributed to critical reviews and sensor fabrication methods. Her experience includes technical work with disposable electrodes, boron-doped diamond sensors, and voltammetry. Additionally, she’s actively involved in developing environmentally friendly, field-portable diagnostic tools. Larissa’s practical and collaborative work underscores her capability in applying chemistry to real-world forensic and public health challenges.
Awards and Honors
While specific awards are not explicitly listed, Larissa Melo’s research impact and international engagements reflect significant academic recognition. She was competitively selected for a Sandwich Ph.D. fellowship at Manchester Metropolitan University (2024), a testament to her research excellence and international collaboration skills. Her publication record includes articles in top-tier journals such as Electrochimica Acta, Talanta, TrAC, and Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, often as the first or lead author. She has amassed over 165 citations and holds an H-index of 9, highlighting her work’s influence in analytical and forensic chemistry. Larissa’s interdisciplinary research on electrochemical and colorimetric methods for drug detection showcases her contribution to forensic science innovation. Her rapid rise as a productive early-career researcher, mentorship by globally recognized experts like Prof. Wallans dos Santos and Prof. Craig Banks, and verified academic credentials on the Lattes platform further confirm her growing stature in scientific communities.
Research Interests
Larissa Melo’s research interests center around analytical chemistry, electrochemical sensing, and forensic science. Her work focuses on the development of rapid, portable, and cost-effective electrochemical and colorimetric detection methods for drugs of abuse. She is particularly interested in screen-printed electrodes, boron-doped diamond sensors, and 3D-printed electrochemical cells to detect substances such as synthetic cathinones, cannabinoids, tryptamines, amphetamines, and hallucinogens. Her interdisciplinary approach combines chemical engineering principles, material science, and electroanalysis to improve point-of-care diagnostics. Larissa also explores hybrid detection platforms combining colorimetric and electrochemical signals, enhancing sensitivity and specificity for field-based forensic analysis. She contributes to critical reviews and technical innovations in clinical toxicology, pharmaceutical analysis, and biosensors. Her goal is to make analytical methods more accessible, environmentally friendly, and applicable in real-time settings, such as customs, crime scenes, and emergency rooms.
Publication Top Notes
-
Portable analytical methods for detecting synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists: a critical review
-
A dual colorimetric-electrochemical platform based on bromocresol green for the selective detection of atropine
-
Selective screening of synthetic cathinones, amphetamines, piperazines, and phenethylamines using voltammetry
-
Electrochemistry of the synthetic tryptamine 5-MeO-MiPT at glassy carbon and screen-printed electrodes
-
Novel colorimetric-electrochemical methods for selective identification and quantification of Scopolamine
-
Use of a lab-made disposable screen-printed sensor with boron-doped diamond for N-ethylpentylone detection
-
Combined colorimetric and electrochemical screening method for selective detection of MDMA
-
Electrochemical methods for determination of acetaminophen in biological matrices: a critical review
-
Selective screening of NBOHs, NBOMes, and LSD using a 3D-Printed electrochemical double cell
-
Electrochemical detection of mephedrone using a graphene screen-printed electrode
-
Electrochemical method for detecting synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarette and biological samples
-
Chemically deposited boron-doped diamond screen-printed electrodes for manganese detection
-
Colorimetric-Electrochemical Combined Method for Detection of Drugs in Blotter Papers
-
SMART 3D-printed electrochemical cell for on-site and forensic analysis
-
Oxygen plasma-treated graphite sheet electrodes for methamphetamines
-
Fast screening of MDEA using carbon screen-printed electrode and voltammetry
-
Electrochemical detection of 1-benzylpiperazine on carbon screen-printed electrode
-
Screening method for detection of 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine in forensic samples
-
Selective screening method for MDPT using carbon nanofiber screen-printed electrodes
-
Detection of LSD in forensic samples using carbon nanotube screen-printed electrodes
-
Detection of 2C-B using environmentally friendly screen-printed electrodes
-
Professional biography of Dorothy Hodgkin – Contributions to Chemistry, Biology, and Biochemistry
Conclusion
Larissa Magalhães de Almeida Melo exemplifies the next generation of analytical chemists committed to real-world impact in forensic science. Her research bridges engineering and chemistry to develop innovative, portable, and sustainable methods for drug detection. With international experience, strong academic output, and cross-disciplinary skills, she is well-positioned for leadership in global forensic chemistry research.