This paper showcases Maria Elizabeth Tiritan’s deep expertise in organic and medicinal chemistry, highlighting the importance of chirality in flavonoids—a class of compounds with significant pharmacological activity 💊🌿. The work offers a comprehensive overview of stereoselective synthesis methods, combining fundamental chemistry with applied biomedical relevance. It underscores how stereochemistry affects biological function, paving the way for safer and more effective drug candidates 🔍🔄.
🎓 Education
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🧪 PhD in Organic Chemistry – University of Porto, Portugal (1996)
Thesis: Enantiomeric Resolution of Chiral Sulfoxides by HPLC
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📚 Postdoctoral Research – Organic Chemistry (1997–2001)
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
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🌍 Visiting Researcher – University of Warwick, UK (1992–1995)
Under WHO and CNPq (Brazil) programs
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🎓 Degree in Chemistry – Brazil (before 1992)
💼 Experience
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👩🏫 Assistant Professor – Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto (2020–Present)
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🧫 Researcher – CIIMAR, University of Porto (2015–2018, 2022–Present)
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🧬 Team Leader – Drug Research Line at IINFACTS (2018–2021)
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🌱 Coordinator – Environmental Research Unit, IINFACTS (2013–2017)
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🧪 Group Leader – Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences at CESPU (2007–2012)
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🧑🔬 Postdoctoral Fellow – Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto (1997–2001)
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🌐 Research Collaborator – Multiple international and national projects focused on chiral drugs, environmental pollutants, and green chemistry
Professional Development 🚀📖
Maria Elizabeth Tiritan has demonstrated remarkable professional development through a dynamic career in research and academia 📚🔬. From her early work as a visiting researcher at the University of Warwick 🌍 to her postdoctoral studies in organic chemistry at the University of Porto 🧪, she has steadily advanced as a leading scientist in medicinal and environmental chemistry 🌿💊. She became a group leader, team coordinator, and principal investigator on several innovative projects, particularly in green pharmaceuticals and enantioselective analysis 🔄🌱. As an Assistant Professor and project leader, she continues mentoring students and shaping sustainable scientific research 🌎👩🏫
Research Focus 🔍🤖
Maria Elizabeth Tiritan’s research focuses on Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences 🧪💊🌱. Her work is centered on chirality, enantioselective analysis, and the development of eco-friendly pharmaceuticals 🌍🔄. She investigates how chiral drugs behave in biological and environmental systems, aiming to design safer, biodegradable compounds ♻️🧬. A key part of her research also includes separating enantiomers using liquid chromatography and membranes 🔬💡. Her studies contribute to both public health and environmental protection, linking chemistry with sustainable development goals 🌿🌐. Through innovation and green chemistry, she leads efforts to reduce pharmaceutical pollution in ecosystems 🌊⚗️.
Awards and Honors 🏆🎖️
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🧠 Principal Investigator of 8 funded projects at CESPU – Recognized leadership in innovative pharmaceutical and environmental research 🎯💊
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📘 Editor & Author of major scientific books and chapters – Including Chiral Separations and Stereochemical Elucidation published by Wiley 📚✍️
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🔬 Reviewer & Committee Member – Evaluator for international research fellowships and grant applications, including ERC Starting Grant 🧪🌍
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💼 Coordinator of Sustainable Development Goals Working Group at FFUP since 2021 – For advancing eco-conscious research goals 🌿🧭
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📈 131 publications with 4019 citations and an h-index of 39 – Recognition for impactful scientific contributions 📊🏅
Publications & Citations 📚
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Organic Chemistry – LG Wade 📘 Pearson Education India, 2008 – 1718 citations
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Performance of aerobic granular sludge… – CL Amorim et al. 💊 Water Research, 2014 – 257 citations
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Biodegradation of ofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin… – CL Amorim et al. 🧪 Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2014 – 221 citations
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Monitoring of the 17 EU Watch List contaminants… – JCG Sousa et al. 🌍 Science of the Total Environment, 2019 – 214 citations
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Spatiotemporal distribution of pharmaceuticals… – TV Madureira et al. 🌊 Science of the Total Environment, 2010 – 201 citations
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Chiral stationary phases for liquid chromatography… – J Teixeira et al. 🔬 Molecules, 2019 – 172 citations
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Seasonal and spatial distribution of endocrine-disrupting compounds… – C Ribeiro et al. 🌱 Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2009 – 139 citations
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Enrichment of bacterial strains for the biodegradation… – VS Bessa et al. 🧫 International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 2017 – 134 citations
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Degradation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics… – AS Maia et al. 💉 Journal of Chromatography A, 2014 – 133 citations
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Enantioseparation of chiral pharmaceuticals… – AR Ribeiro et al. ⚖️ Journal of Chromatography B, 2014 – 130 citations
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Enantioselectivity in drug pharmacokinetics and toxicity… – MM Coelho et al. 💊 Molecules, 2021 – 125 citations
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New trends in sample preparation techniques… – C Ribeiro et al. 🧴 Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry, 2014 – 121 citations
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Chiral pharmaceuticals in the environment – AR Ribeiro et al. 🌐 Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2012 – 104 citations
🔍 Conclusion:
The paper stands out for its clarity, relevance, and impact in the fields of green medicinal chemistry and drug development. Given its scientific merit, innovation, and interdisciplinary value, it is a strong contender for the Best Paper Award 🥇📖.