Bio

Bio

Dr. Faria is an assistant professor in the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment (ESSIE) at the Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences. She received her Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. While in Brazil, her research focused on the production of biosurfactant to address problems of bioavailability and biodegradation of organic pollutants in water. Before joining UF, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University working with Prof. Menachem Elimelech on environmental toxicology and nano-based technologies to prevent biofouling in membrane-driven water treatment processes.

Her current research interests are in the use of nanotechnology to advance water treatment. She applies her multidisciplinary background in chemistry, biology, and engineering to develop nanomaterials that can help to overcome the inefficiency of conventional materials in water purification systems. She was the recipient of the International Science without Borders Postdoctoral Scholarship (2013-2015) and supported by Leman Foundation (2013-2014) to promote cutting-edge research and inclusion of women in STEM.

Education

  • (2013-2016) – Post-doctoral, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
  • (2011-2013) – Post-doctoral, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
  • (2005-2010) – Ph.D., Food Science, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
  • (2000- 2005) – B.S. in Chemistry with Minor in Biochemistry and Microbiology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Professional Experience

  • 2019- Present: Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. 
  • 2013-2016: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Postdoctoral Research. Studying the antimicrobial properties of graphene oxide-based materials to bacteria, development of electrospun fibers modified with graphene oxide for water disinfection, and strategies to control bacteria adhesion to water treatment membranes. Supervisor: Prof. Menachem Elimelech.
  • 2010-2012: Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Postdoctoral Research. Synthesis and chemical functionalization of graphene oxide, microbial toxicity of graphene-based materials to bacteria cells, incorporation of graphene nanocomposites to ultrafiltration membranes for improve anti-biofouling resistance, mitigation of microbial proliferation on graphene-modified surfaces. Supervisor: Prof. Oswaldo L. Alves
  • 2005-2010: Department of Food Science, University of Campinas. Thesis: Production and Structural Characterization of Biosurfactant produced by Bacillus sp. in Residual Glycerol. Ph.D. Degree, Advisor: Lucia Durrant
  • 2002-2005: Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Microbiology Department, Undergraduate research, Project: Biosurfactant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for advanced recovery of crude oil. Project funded by the Brazilian Petro Oil Company (PETROBRAS) and CNPq. Supervisor: Marcos Rogério Tótola
  • 2001-2002: Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Department of Veterinary, Undergraduate research, Project: Purification and Detection of Heat-Shock Proteins produced by Chicken exposed to Thermal Stress. Advisor: Maria Cristina Baracat Pereira
  • 2004-2005: Gerdau Stainless Steel, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Internship. Project: Evaluation and Quantification of Nitrogen Content and Its Impact on the Mechanical Properties of Stainless Steel. Gerdau is manufactures steel for a variety of applications such as agriculture, automotive, and house construction. Supervisor: Cláudio Leite

Contact Information

Please contact Dr. Faria at andreia.faria@essie.ufl.edu or (352) 392-7104.