Larissa Magalhães de Almeida Melo | Analytical Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Larissa Magalhães de Almeida Melo | Analytical Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

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

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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

  1. Portable analytical methods for detecting synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists: a critical review

  2. A dual colorimetric-electrochemical platform based on bromocresol green for the selective detection of atropine

  3. Selective screening of synthetic cathinones, amphetamines, piperazines, and phenethylamines using voltammetry

  4. Electrochemistry of the synthetic tryptamine 5-MeO-MiPT at glassy carbon and screen-printed electrodes

  5. Novel colorimetric-electrochemical methods for selective identification and quantification of Scopolamine

  6. Use of a lab-made disposable screen-printed sensor with boron-doped diamond for N-ethylpentylone detection

  7. Combined colorimetric and electrochemical screening method for selective detection of MDMA

  8. Electrochemical methods for determination of acetaminophen in biological matrices: a critical review

  9. Selective screening of NBOHs, NBOMes, and LSD using a 3D-Printed electrochemical double cell

  10. Electrochemical detection of mephedrone using a graphene screen-printed electrode

  11. Electrochemical method for detecting synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarette and biological samples

  12. Chemically deposited boron-doped diamond screen-printed electrodes for manganese detection

  13. Colorimetric-Electrochemical Combined Method for Detection of Drugs in Blotter Papers

  14. SMART 3D-printed electrochemical cell for on-site and forensic analysis

  15. Oxygen plasma-treated graphite sheet electrodes for methamphetamines

  16. Fast screening of MDEA using carbon screen-printed electrode and voltammetry

  17. Electrochemical detection of 1-benzylpiperazine on carbon screen-printed electrode

  18. Screening method for detection of 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine in forensic samples

  19. Selective screening method for MDPT using carbon nanofiber screen-printed electrodes

  20. Detection of LSD in forensic samples using carbon nanotube screen-printed electrodes

  21. Detection of 2C-B using environmentally friendly screen-printed electrodes

  22. 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.

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xiaoming Zhang | Physical Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xiaoming Zhang | Physical Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xiaoming Zhang , Physical Chemistry , Minzu University of China , China

Dr. Zhang Xiaoming is an Associate Professor in Physical Chemistry at the College of Science, Minzu University of China. She specializes in functional self-assembly and interfacial physics of nanomaterials for applications in energy batteries, photocatalytic water splitting, and ultra-high-resolution imaging. She earned her Ph.D. from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2007. Dr. Zhang has held postdoctoral positions at Keio University (Japan), Dublin City University (Ireland), and the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (China). She has published over 60 SCI-indexed papers and led multiple national and municipal research projects. Her work bridges fundamental nanoscience with real-world applications in energy and biotechnology. She is actively involved in editorial boards and academic committees and has received several teaching and research awards. She also mentors postgraduate and international postdoctoral researchers, contributing to global scientific exchange.

Professional Profile : 

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Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. Zhang holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the prestigious Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, with additional advanced training from globally recognized institutions such as Keio University (Japan) and Dublin City University (Ireland). She has published over 60 SCI-indexed papers as first or corresponding author, indicating her leading role in innovative research. Her work on nanomaterials, interfacial physics, and applications in energy storage, photocatalysis, and super-resolution imaging is both interdisciplinary and of high societal relevance. Dr. Zhang is the Principal Investigator for a major National Natural Science Foundation of China project and has led/co-led several national and international research initiatives, including talent introduction and key development programs. She is a Master’s and Ph.D. supervisor, actively mentoring both domestic and international researchers, especially women and underrepresented groups, thus contributing to capacity building and gender equity in science. Dr. Zhang Xiaoming embodies the ideal profile for the “Women Researcher Award”—a dynamic scientist who excels in cutting-edge research, mentors the next generation, contributes to international scientific dialogue, and advances gender representation in science. Her contributions not only enrich the scientific community but also serve as a role model for aspiring women researchers globally. Awarding her would recognize and further empower women’s leadership in science and technology.

🎓Education:

Dr. Zhang Xiaoming completed her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry (2007) at the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences under the supervision of Prof. Junbai Li. She earned her M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry (2004) from Shandong Normal University, mentored by Prof. Zexin Wang, where she began her research into molecular self-assembly. Prior to that, she obtained her B.Sc. in Chemistry (2001) from the same university. Her education laid the foundation for her interdisciplinary approach, combining chemistry, nanotechnology, and physics. Through her studies, she developed a deep understanding of surface chemistry, interfacial interactions, and bio-functionalization, which now underpin her research on nanomaterial design for energy and biomedical applications.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Zhang has extensive academic and industrial experience. Since 2017, she has served as an Associate Professor at Minzu University of China. Before that, she was Deputy General Manager and Senior Engineer at the American Bentley Company (Beijing) from 2015 to 2017. Her academic journey includes postdoctoral positions at Keio University (Japan, 2007–2008), Dublin City University (Ireland, 2010–2012), and the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China (2012–2015). This international research exposure has shaped her cross-disciplinary expertise in nanoscience, interfacial physics, and functional materials. She has been actively involved in major national-level research projects and contributes to graduate education and talent training initiatives.

🏅Awards: 

Dr. Zhang has received numerous awards for her academic, research, and teaching excellence. These include the 2025 Outstanding Individual in Undergraduate Recruitment Publicity and 2024 Outstanding Work Performance awards from Minzu University. She earned Second Prize in the 2024 Education and Teaching Innovation Competition and several awards for teaching excellence, including the First Prize in the 11th Teaching Competition and the Best Teaching Demonstration Award (2018). Her research was internationally recognized with the IRCSET EMPOWER Fellowship (2010) in Ireland. She has also been honored as an Outstanding Instructor and Outstanding Communist Party Member and continues to be a highly active contributor in national education evaluations and academic forums.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on functional nanomaterials, particularly their self-assembly, bio-functionalization, and interfacial physics. Her goal is to harness these properties for energy storage, photocatalytic water splitting, and ultra-high resolution fluorescence imaging. Her interdisciplinary approach blends chemistry, nanotechnology, and biology. She investigates how nanostructures form and behave at interfaces, which is key to improving battery performance and catalytic efficiency. One of her recent projects explores the co-assembly of glucagon-like peptide GLP-1 with lipopeptides, using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to visualize intracellular transport. She also studies the epitaxial growth of GeSn alloys for use in mid-infrared photodetectors, expanding her expertise into semiconductor applications.

Publication Top Notes:

1. High-performance ethanol detection achieved by WO₃/Co₃O₄ composite heterojunctions with synergistic p-n junction features

2. Probing Peptide Assembly and Interaction via High-Resolution Imaging Techniques: A Mini Review.

3. Engineering of peptide assemblies for adaptable protein delivery to achieve efficient intracellular biocatalysis

4. Manganese doped tailored cobalt sulfide as an accelerated catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

5. Solution-processed, ultrasensitive, high current density vertical phototransistor using porous carbon nanotube electrode

6. Dramatic increase in SWIR detection for GeSn strip detector with graphene hybrid structure

7. A review on III–V compound semiconductor short wave infrared avalanche photodiodes

8. Two-dimensional antimony selenide (Sb₂Se₃) nanosheets prepared by hydrothermal method for visible-light photodetectors

9. Fabrication of graphene: CdSe quantum dots/CdS nanorod heterojunction photodetector and role of graphene to enhance the photoresponsive characteristics

10. One-Step Synthesis of SiOx@Graphene Composite Material by a Hydrothermal Method for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes