João M. Rocha (male) holds a degree (1996) in Biological Engineering, specialization in Chemical and Food Technology, from University of Minho (UMinho), and a PhD (2011) in Food Science and Engineering from University of Lisbon (ISA-ULisbon). He has several complementary professional qualifications, including “Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in SimaPro®” (2018), and HACCP (2012) and ISO 9001:2000 certifications (2006).
He has developed his research between Portugal and Finland (UHelsinki) in the fields of microbiology,
molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, chromatography, mass spectrometry and engineering. He was a researcher (2022) in LEPABE – Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, in the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP), where studied the polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAH’s) in rubber crumb from recycled tires for synthetic turf pitches infills. Recently (2019-20) he was researcher in the Food Polyphenol Lab at Green Chemistry Laboratory (LAQV), REQUIMTE – Chemistry and Technology Network, in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences – University of Porto (FCUP), where he studied the dietary polyphenols as prophylactic agents in food allergies. He was the Chair, Principal Coordinator and Grant Holder Scientific Representative of the COST Action Sourdomics (CA18101), a networking currently with 56 countries from the 5 Continents and more than 286 members. He is also (2019-) the Secretary of the General Assembly board of the National Association of Science and Technology Researchers (ANICT).
His previous/current activities involve several research areas, e.g.: (1) Cereal and pseudocereal production and sourdough biotechnology, viz. (a) Microbiota screening and characterization, fermentation and microbial starter cultures, (b) Screening, production and extraction of microbial functional metabolites and enzymes, (c) Design innovative food and processes, (d) Valorisation of by-products and food wastes, (e) Food safety and health promoting, and (f) Economic feasibility and environmental sustainability studies (1998-); (2) Mass spectrometry of polyphenols and health promoting (2019-); (3) LCA studies – linking different research lines within environmental sustainability, Biosensors and Mass spectrometry of glycolipids (2017-); (4) Protein crystallization in droplet-based multiphase microfluidic bioreactors (2015-16); (5) Characterization of biopolymers, formulation and characterization of films, edible coatings and biodegradable packaging, and evaluation of the performance in terms of chemical, microbiological, rheological and shelf-life quality of fresh foods, as well as environmental performance through LCA studies (2014); (6) Phenotypic and genotypic (by PCR) characterization of microorganisms for development of starter cultures, and determination of biogenic amines from dry-fermented sausages by RP-UHPLC-DAD (2012-14); (7) Production of H 2 by Chlamydomonas (2011); (8) (a) Selective extraction and analysis of mono- and oligosaccharides by GLC, (b) Selective extraction of lipids (neutral, glyco- and phospholipids), SPE fractionation, (trans)esterification, silylation, and GLC analysis, and (c) NP-HPLC-ELSD and LC-ESI-MS n analysis, (d) Classical microbiological (yeasts and bacteria – Gram + cocci, and Gram – and Gram + bacilli) characterization of flour, dough and bread matrixes (1997-2011); and (9) Batch
and semi-continuous fermentation for production of baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (1996) and lipids by Rhodotorula gracilis (1997).
His professional career as a researcher was always fulfilled with other intensive activities: (1) Assistant
professor of Final Projects for B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees, Biochemistry, Food Technology, General Microbiology,
Microbiology, Molecular Biology of the Cell (Genetics), General Chemistry I (Inorganic Chemistry) and II
(Physical Chemistry and Kinetic Physics), Toxicology, Pharmacotoxicology, Chemistry and Structure of Foods,
Applied Biochemistry (Enzyme kinetics), Introduction to Industrial Processes and General Biochemistry I, in the College of Biotechnology, Portuguese Catholic University (ESB-UCP) (1997-2011), University of Minho (UMinho) (2017-18) and School of Engineering of Porto (ISEP) (2022-23); (2) Professional courses of Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Laboratories of Chemistry and Basic Food Chemistry (2009); and (3) Co-founder, administrator and managing partner of a biotech start-up (2002-06), awarded in entrepreneurship concourses and with an approved funding project – with the core-business in processing of dairy sub-products and isolation of compounds with high-added value due to their immunological and growth properties, and its applications in the agri-food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. His career is characterized by a high degree of independence, international exposure, extensive international networking, broad experience in multi-project/multi-task management and leadership in different environments. He has published 127 papers in refereed international scientific journals. In SCOPUS has 129 publications, his author’s H-index is 22 and has 1579 citations by 1192 documents (Scopus). His curriculum includes several types of publications: monographic book (1), book’s chapters (15), technical and pedagogical (16), extended abstracts in proceeding records (5), oral communications (26) and posters (33), and exhibitions in fairs (2). He has supervised/supervises several undergraduate and master’s degree projects (9), professional trainings (6), ERASMUS (1), master’s thesis (1), PhD thesis (2), has organized seminars and congresses (2) and organized and chaired scientific meetings (9). Moreover, currently he has several submitted research papers, 12 submitted or in preparation book chapters, 8 ongoing/finished edition of books and 12 ongoing/finished edition of journal special issues.
He has an extensive experience in the preparation and submission of R&D projects (33). In the last 7 years, he submitted 15 projects. In the period 2017-22, he has submitted 12 projects as principal investigator (PI)/coordinator to Transnational Cooperation-FCT, COST Action, Societal Challenges (SC-H2020), CYTED and IC&DT (FCT), Intra-African Academic Mobility Scheme, among others. As an example of the networking and coordination dimension, the CYTED, 2 SC-H2020 and COST proposals comprised, respectively: 43, 50, 26 and 74 groups, from which 24, 17, 13 and 14 were companies; and 16, 50, 11 and 41 participating countries. He is collaborator in peer-review and editorial board member (20) of refereed international journals and in BsC, master’s and PhD thesis arguing (7). He is Expert Evaluator of National and International research projects from different programs and organizations. He has been distinguished with several grants and awards (14), has press releases (4), has participated in several S&T meetings (22) and he is/was membership of S&T associations (17).
Additional information can be found in ORCID (0000-0002-0936-2003), Scopus author (7202074289), CIÊNCIA ID (C81D-AC3B-CB3B) and Researcher ID (RID) (C-5252-2019). These features certify his scientific competence and international recognition, as well as his contribution to advance of scientific knowledge, and the acknowledgement by scientific community. João M. Rocha is a focused and dedicated Senior Professional who has gained numerous successes within academic and professional life, including an extensive experience within research, teaching, project management and networking coordination. He possesses the ability to achieve desired results with a decisive management and leadership style, applying motivational skills and maintaining a positive and supportive attitude to effectively deliver solutions. He works well under pressure and excel in the work planning and organisation. He is a driven and exceptionally talented professional who has gained high international exposure. He is an individual who adapts well within new environments, utilising excellent team working and leadership skills to ensure the achievement of the outlined objectives, an individual who has the personal and professional skills and techniques that are an asset to any forward-thinking organisation.