Suitable for this Best Researcher Award
Dr. Patrícia Lopes Leal demonstrates a high degree of scientific excellence, multidisciplinary collaboration, and impactful research application, making her a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her contributions to environmental microbiology, agricultural sustainability, and renewable energy innovation exemplify the qualities of a leading researcher whose work addresses critical contemporary challenges. Her dedication to teaching, research supervision, and public service reinforces her candidacy as an outstanding figure in the scientific community.
Education
Dr. Patrícia Lopes Leal earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro in 2004. She pursued a Master’s in Agricultural Microbiology at the Federal University of Lavras, completing it in 2005, followed by a Ph.D. in the same field from the Federal University of Viçosa in 2009. Her doctoral research focused on microbial consortia and hydrocarbon biodegradation, laying the groundwork for her future endeavors in environmental biotechnology. Postdoctoral studies at the Federal University of Lavras and the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia further honed her expertise in soil microbiology and fermentation processes. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Leal has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to understanding and harnessing microbial diversity for sustainable agricultural practices.
Professional Experience
With over a decade of experience, Dr. Leal serves as an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Bahia’s Multidisciplinary Institute in Health. She is also a permanent professor and advisor for postgraduate programs in Biosciences (UFBA) and Agronomy (UESB). Her teaching portfolio includes courses on Environmental Microbiology, Soil Microbiology and Biotechnology, and Fermentation Processes. Dr. Leal has led numerous research projects focusing on the use of humic acid and diazotrophic endophytic bacteria in maize development, biotreatment of cassava wastewater, and the development of biofertilizers from organic waste. Her collaborative work with Ecosoluções Assessoria e Consultoria em Desenvolvimento Sustentável underscores her commitment to applying research for real-world environmental solutions.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Patrícia Lopes Leal’s contributions have been recognized through various grants and fellowships, including support from the National Post-Doctoral Program (PNPD) and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). Her research has garnered attention for its innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture and environmental remediation. She has been instrumental in developing industrial processes for producing agricultural fertilizers from organic waste and has contributed to the advancement of bioenergy through anaerobic digestion research. Her role in academic and research institutions has also been marked by leadership positions, including membership in curriculum development committees and coordination of research projects that bridge academia and industry.
Dr. Patrícia Lopes Leal possesses a comprehensive skill set in environmental microbiology and biotechnology. Her expertise encompasses the isolation and characterization of soil microorganisms, development of microbial consortia for biodegradation, and application of fermentation processes for producing bio-based products. She has proficiency in molecular techniques for microbial diversity analysis and has applied multivariate statistical methods to interpret complex ecological data. Her research integrates laboratory experiments with field studies, aiming to develop practical solutions for sustainable agriculture and environmental remediation. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges microbiology, soil science, and biotechnology, contributing to innovations in agricultural practices.
Publications
Study of the pretreatment and hydrolysis of a mixture of coffee husk, cowpea bean husk and cocoa pod for bacterial cellulose production
- Authors: Kátia dos Santos Morais; Ederson Paulo Xavier Guilherme; Bruna dos Santos Menezes; Marcus Bruno Soares Forte; Patrícia Lopes Leal; Elizama Aguiar-Oliveira
Journal: Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering
Year: 2025
Microbial rumen proteome analysis suggests Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as key producers of lignocellulolytic enzymes and carbohydrate-binding modules
- Authors: Mateus da Silva Pereira; Lucas Magalhães Alcantara; Leandro Martins de Freitas; Andrea Lopes de Oliveira Ferreira; Patrícia Lopes Leal
Journal: Brazilian Journal of Microbiology
Year: 2025
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities associated with coffee intercropped with grevillea
- Authors: Roberta de Souza Santos; Divino Levi Miguel; Leandro Martins de Freitas; Fábia Giovana do Val de Assis; Valber Dias Teixeira; Karl Kemmelmeier; Sidney Luiz Stürmer; Patrícia Lopes Leal
Journal: Acta Botanica Brasilica
Year: 2024
Properties related to communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi along an altitudinal gradient in a Brazilian cloud forest
- Authors: Patrícia Lopes Leal; Fernanda de Carvalho; Cleber Rodrigo de Souza; Patrícia Vieira Pompeu; Marco Aurélio Leite Fontes; Rubens Manoel dos Santos; Carlos Alberto Silva; Fatima Maria de Souza Moreira
Journal: Acta Botanica Brasilica
Year: 2024
Humic substances and plant growth-promoting bacteria enhance corn (Zea mays L.) development
- Authors: Elismar Pereira de Oliveira; Poliana Prates de Souza Soares; Andreza de Jesus Correia; Robson Silva da França; Divino Levi Miguel; Rafaela Simão Abrahão Nóbrega; Patrícia Lopes Leal
Journal: South African Journal of Botany
Year: 2024