MN

Márcia C. Neves

Also known as: Márcia C- Neves

University of Aveiro, University of Coimbra

Research areas: Chemistry · Physical and Theoretical Chemistry · Ionic liquids properties and applications · Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization · Protein purification and stability

ORCID iD 0000-0001-5611-4080
Follow

About

Márcia C. Neves (MCN) is a chemist with a consolidated research trajectory in materials chemistry and biotechnology, with a strong focus on supported ionic liquids and functionalized materials for bioseparation, biopharmaceutical purification and environmental applications.
She obtained a degree in Chemistry from the University of Coimbra, followed by a Master’s degree in Science and Engineering of Materials from the University of Aveiro (UA), with the thesis “Bismuth-based new pigments”, and a PhD in Chemistry from UA, completed in 2008, with the thesis “Synthesis and characterization of composite nanostructures”. Her early research activities were developed at CICECO, where she worked on the functionalization of natural and lignocellulosic materials, including chemically modified cellulose fibres and hybrid nanostructured systems.
MCN subsequently consolidated a research line centred on ionic-liquid-based materials and their application in separation and purification processes. This evolution was reinforced through her integration in ERC-funded projects developed at UA, namely IgYPurTech – IgY Technology: A Purification Platform using Ionic-Liquid-Based Systems, and the ERC Proof of Concept PureIgY, where she contributed to the development and scale-up of innovative antibody purification strategies using ionic liquids.
From April 2019 to March 2025, MCN held an Auxiliary Researcher position at CICECO and the Department of Chemistry of UA under the Scientific Employment Stimulus programme, developing the research plan “Innovative ionic-liquid-based devices for the removal of cytostatic drugs from urine of cancer patients”. During this period, she strengthened her scientific independence, expanded her research towards health and environmental challenges, supervised graduate students and contributed to multidisciplinary national and international projects.
MCN has authored 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications in international journals, accumulating more than 2390 citations and an h-index of 26 (Scopus). She is co-author of five book chapters and co-inventor of three granted patents (two national and one international), as well as three additional international patent applications. Her research has been disseminated through more than 180 communications at national and international scientific meetings.
She has participated in several competitive research projects at national and European levels, including ERC-funded projects (IgYPurTech and PureIgY), as well as national and regional projects such as NanoPurAsp, IonCytDevice, PUREmiRSILs, antYmicrob (PdC–PO Centro 2020), PDSolve (PT2020–CENTRO), and PureDNA. She is currently the Principal Investigator of the FCT-funded project CLEAN – Customized cellulose-based supported ionic liquids as new superhydrophobic materials for health and environmental applications, which represents a key milestone in the consolidation of an independent research line.
Regarding advanced training, MCN has supervised or co-supervised 24 undergraduate students, 10 MSc students and 2 PhD students, and is currently supervising one PhD student, one MSc student and one undergraduate student. She has also been involved in teaching laboratory classes in Chemistry and related areas and has actively participated in science communication and outreach activities, including Xperimenta, Techdays, UA Open Campus and Noite dos Investigadores.
In 2017, MCN participated in the COHiTEC program training course, being part of one of the 15 teams selected from 48 applications. In 2019 the business idea developed “PurAvTec: IgY Purification Technologies”, won the Price of best idea in health from BFK Ideas 2018 (from Agência Nacional de Inovação). In 2021 she was also awarded in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (Macao) for Technology Enterprises from Brazil and Portugal.
Her research interests include supported ionic liquids, surface functionalization, sustainable and hybrid materials, purification of biomolecules (antibodies, nucleic acids and enzymes), and the development of functional materials for health and environmental applications.

Employment

Education

Projects & Funding

  • CLEAN- Customized cellulose-based supported ionic liquids as new superhydrophobic materials for health and environmental applications FCT
    2025 - 2028
  • Integrated process for purification and delivery of L-asparaginase using ionosilica nanoparticles Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
    2024 - 2025
  • Development of cost-effective platforms based on ionic liquids for the purification of p53-minicircle DNA biopharmaceuticals with application in oncology Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
    2023 - 2024
  • CICECO ¿ Aveiro Institute of Materials Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
    2021 - 2025
  • CICECO-Instituto de Materiais de Aveiro Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
    2019 - 2019
  • Innovative ionic-liquid-based devices for the removal of cytostatic drugs from urine of cancer patients Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
    2019 - 2025
  • Development of Ionic-Liquid-based Devices for the Removal of Cytostatic Drugs From Urine Excreted by Cancer Patients Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
    2018 - 2021
  • Suportes modificados com Liquidos Iónicos para a Purificação de pré-miRNAs envolvidos na doença de Alzheimer Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
    2018 - 2021
  • SGH : smart green homes N/A
    2016 - 2020
  • IgYPurTech: Igy technology: a purication platform using ionic-liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems N/A
    2014 - 2015
  • Heat@UA: Facing the challenges of characterizing novel thermal materials and processes Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
    2013 - 2015
  • Enfrentando os desafios da caracterização de novos materiais e processos térmicos Heat@UA Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
    2013 - 2015
  • Strategic Project - LA 11 - 2011-2012 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
    2011 - 2012

Publications (198)