Assoc. Prof. Dr Ligia Martins | Biocatalysts | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lígia O Martins is an Associate Professor at the Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica Antonio Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB-NOVA) with over 20 years of experience in molecular enzymology and biotechnology. Her work has had a significant impact in the field, especially concerning enzyme engineering and industrial biocatalysis, which supports sustainable production processes. As a respected researcher, Dr. Martins has made notable advancements in understanding and engineering bacterial enzymes, leading to numerous publications, high citations, and an H-index of 37. Through innovative projects, she has demonstrated a commitment to advancing enzyme technology, developing new methodologies, and fostering future biotechnological applications. Her contributions, from foundational research to enzyme optimization for industrial use, reflect her dedication to addressing pressing challenges in biotechnology. Dr. Martins also serves as a mentor to students and a leader in research initiatives, continually promoting growth in her field through scholarly contributions and collaborative projects.

Professional Profile

• Scopus Profile
• ORCID Profile

Education

Dr. Martins’ academic journey began with a degree in Biology from the University of Coimbra, Portugal. She then pursued advanced studies in biotechnology, obtaining both her MSc and PhD from Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. During her graduate studies, she focused on molecular enzymology, which laid the foundation for her future research contributions. Following her PhD, Dr. Martins completed two postdoctoral fellowships, where she gained valuable experience and made groundbreaking discoveries. Her first postdoctoral research at ITQB-NOVA focused on hyperthermophilic microbes, where she found novel insights into their adaptive mechanisms, leading to innovative applications in microbial physiology. Her second postdoc, also at ITQB-NOVA, involved pivotal studies on Bacillus subtilis laccase enzymes, setting the stage for her later work in enzyme engineering. This rigorous academic background, coupled with her early research successes, has propelled Dr. Martins to a prominent position in her field, allowing her to contribute to both the academic and applied realms of biotechnology.

Professional Experience

With two decades of professional experience, Dr. Martins has held key positions in academic research, starting her independent career in 2005 when she established the Microbial and Enzyme Technology lab at ITQB-NOVA. Initially appointed as an Invited Assistant Professor, she was later promoted to Associate Professor, and in January 2024, she attained her “Agregação” in Molecular Biosciences. Throughout her career, Dr. Martins has been instrumental in advancing enzyme technology, particularly in bacterial laccases, which are critical for sustainable bioprocesses. She has completed 18 research projects, including three industry-sponsored projects, totaling over 2.8 million USD. In addition, Dr. Martins has served on the scientific committees for the PhD Program in Sustainable Chemistry since 2013 and the MSc in Biotechnology for Sustainability (2017–2021). As an educator and researcher, she offers lectures and seminars in various PhD and MSc programs, contributing to academic and research growth at her institution and beyond.

Research Interest

Dr. Martins’ research interests focus on the discovery, characterization, and engineering of enzymes, with a particular emphasis on bacterial laccases, pyranose oxidases, and DyP-type peroxidases. Her primary goal is to harness the potential of bacterial enzymes for industrial biocatalysis, offering more sustainable and efficient alternatives to traditional processes. This focus includes understanding catalytic and stability mechanisms at the molecular level, which allows for the development of optimized enzymes for the conversion of lignin and other aromatic compounds. Additionally, Dr. Martins is deeply invested in exploring bacterial systems over fungal ones due to their unique genetic adaptability, enabling streamlined gene cloning, enzyme production, and enhancement. Her research in enzyme engineering includes using computational tools and directed evolution methods to create enzyme variants with improved catalytic efficiency, establishing new pathways for industrial applications in lignocellulose valorization and beyond.

Research Skills

Dr. Martins possesses a diverse skill set, combining molecular biology, microbiology, and bioengineering techniques. She is proficient in gene cloning, enzyme expression, and purification, which she applies to study enzyme mechanisms and engineering for industrial applications. Her expertise in enzyme engineering is complemented by her skills in computational modeling, which she utilizes to predict and optimize enzyme behavior under various conditions. Dr. Martins is also skilled in using techniques such as high-throughput screening and directed evolution to generate and select high-performing enzyme variants. Additionally, she has extensive experience with chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques for characterizing enzyme activity and stability. Dr. Martins’ research skills extend to the design of bioprocesses, where she applies her knowledge of enzyme systems to develop sustainable and efficient industrial processes. Her strong analytical abilities and technical skills have been essential in advancing her research and supporting her lab’s contributions to the field of molecular enzymology.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Martins’ scholarly contributions have been recognized with numerous citations, a testament to her impactful research. Although her nomination profile does not currently list specific awards or honors, her work’s influence is evident in her high H-index of 37 and her cumulative citation count of over 4,600. Her methodology for producing recombinant bacterial laccases, which has been widely adopted in enzyme engineering, reflects the value of her contributions to the scientific community. Dr. Martins’ research has been highlighted in esteemed journals, with her work on enzyme engineering featured in the ACS Select Collection of groundbreaking research. As a thought leader in enzyme biotechnology, her invited talks and role as a scientific committee member for various academic programs further demonstrate her academic influence. Dr. Martins’ achievements position her as a respected authority in her field, reflecting both her research excellence and dedication to advancing molecular enzymology and biotechnology.