I am a researcher at The Health & Technology Research Center (H&TRC) specializing in exposure assessment, public and environmental health, and occupational health. I hold a master’s degree in clinical laboratory technologies and a bachelor’s degree in forensic and criminal sciences. Currently, I teach in the master's program in Public Health Intervention and Occupational Health at ESTESL, and also serve as a guest lecturer in Environmental Health seminars for undergraduate students. I have published 23 articles in specialized journals and contributed to six book chapters on occupational exposure and public health. My research focuses on mycology, mycotoxin production, and environmental and occupational exposure. I have participated in several research projects, and I am currently involved in the InChildHealth project. Additionally, I collaborate as a consultant with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC-WHO) on exposure data for IARC Monographs.
EDUCATION
I am currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health at Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública. I hold a Master's degree in Clinical Laboratory Technologies from Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa (2020-2022) and a Bachelor's degree in Forensic and Criminal Sciences from Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz (2011-2014).
I also completed a post-graduation in Clinical Laboratory Parasitology and Mycology and additional training in Laboratory Animal Sciences, Criminal Profiling, and Criminology. Additionally, I hold a Técnico Superior de Segurança, Ambiente e Qualidade, certification (Level VI) from ACT.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Toxicology, Environmental Science, Microbiology
Occupational exposure to cadmium: protocol for a scoping review Marilia Silva Paulo, Carla Martins, Bruna Riesenberger, João Cordeiro, Renata Cervantes, et al. BMJ Open, 2026 Introduction Cadmium is a metal that poses significant health risks, particularly in occupational environments where exposure can happen. The main objective of this scoping review is to review the cadmium exposure levels in the different occupational settings in the European Union (EU), considering the regulatory measures currently in place. The secondary objectives, depending on the availability of data, are (a) to identify the occupational settings where higher exposure levels occur, (b) to identify any geographical and temporal differences and trends within the EU and (c) to identify the most relevant co-exposures reported. Methods and analysis A scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines. Studies reporting quantitative occupational data on cadmium exposure obtained through human biomonitoring and/or air monitoring will be included. A descriptive analysis of the findings will be performed. Ethics and dissemination This protocol for a scoping review does not require ethical approval as it is based on secondary data. The dissemination plan of the scoping review includes its publication in a scientific journal of reference, as it is expected that it will provide important knowledge to support ongoing and future occupational health interventions in the EU, at the technical and regulatory levels. Registration This study is registered at the Open Science Framework (OSF), 7 April osf.f2w3h.
Microbial Occupational Exposure in e-waste Recycling: Biological Hazards, Their Sources, and Potential Toxic Effects Carla Viegas, Bianca Gomes, Marta Dias, Renata Cervantes, Pedro Pena, et al. International Journal of Environmental Research, 2025 E-waste management is a major environmental concern that also poses serious risks to occupational health. While e-waste workers are exposed to a variety of chemicals, little is known about occupational exposure to microbiological agents. This study aims to fill that gap. For that purpose, two e-waste facilities were assessed: one battery-recycling facility (BRF), and another facility (SRE) dedicated to e-waste sorting and storage before sending it for different processing. Filtering respiratory protection devices (FRPD, 24 samples) and settled dust (13 samples) were collected using standardized sampling approaches, and analyzed by culture-based, chemical and molecular methods. Workers also filled in a questionnaire regarding work activities and the use of FRPD. Microbial contamination, fungal diversity, azole resistance, and prevalence of Aspergillus sections Fumigati and Flavi (as surrogates of harmful fungal contamination) and mycotoxins were determined. To estimate potential health effects related to exposure, the FRPD cytotoxicity was determined in human A549 lung and HepG2 hepatic cells. Microbial contaminants with pathogenicity and toxigenic potential were observed in FRPD and settled dust. Aspergillus section Fumigati was widespread. The observed presence of Aspergillus section Flavi relates to the risk of exposure to aflatoxin B1 (a potent hepatocarcinogen). Four different mycotoxins were detected in 8% FRPD and 15% dust samples, including fumonisin B1 and sterigmatocystin (below the limit of quantification). A low to moderate cytotoxic effect of sampled FRPD was observed, with human lung alveolar cells more sensitive than hepatic cells. No relevant azole resistance was observed, nor correlations between fungal reduced azole-susceptibility and fungal growth at 37 °C or cytotoxicity. In summary, it can be concluded that this approach using FRPD and settled dust presents a promising potential for screening occupational exposure to microbiological contaminants in e-waste management. More studies in this occupational context should be prioritized to identify critical biological hazards and to support the implementation of appropriate health risk mitigation strategies.
The InChildHealth Walkthrough Survey - towards a standardized characterization of classrooms for Indoor Air Quality studies in Europe 18th Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate Indoor AIR 2024 Conference Program and Proceedings, 2024
Bioburden Assessment in Lisbon Groceries Sílvia Moreira, Marta Dias, Bianca Gomes, Renata Cervantes, Pedro Pena, et al. Studies in Systems Decision and Control, 2023
Fungal exposure assessment: The most suitable sampling method based on score index 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate Indoor AIR 2022, 2022
Life after death in graveyards: Aspergillus sections a menace deep hidden 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate Indoor AIR 2022, 2022
Electrostatic dust cloth: A reliable tool for exposure assessment to fungal contamination 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate Indoor AIR 2022, 2022
IAQ legal compliance is enough to protect health concerning exposure to fungi? 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate Indoor AIR 2022, 2022
Cytotoxicity analyses of environmental samples - Main findings from different studies developed 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate Indoor AIR 2022, 2022