From Wildlife to Molecules and Science Communication, an interview with Bernardo Nogueira

Bernardo A. Nogueira is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Begona’s Group – Water Quality at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), contributing to the Blue Bioeconomy Pact project under the guidance of Dr. Begoña Espina and Dr. Laura Rodriguez-Lorenzo. With a strong academic background, he holds degrees in Medicinal Chemistry, Chemistry, and an MSc in Advanced and Industrial Chemistry from the University of Coimbra.

Bernardo completed his PhD in Chemistry in 2022, specializing in Molecular Spectroscopy, with part of his studies conducted at Politecnico di Milano under Prof. Chiara Castiglioni. He has published over 35 scientific articles and book chapters and actively engages in peer-reviewed journals as an editor and reviewer.

In this interview, Bernardo reflects on his journey into science, the role of chemistry in addressing global challenges, his passion for science communication, and his aspirations for the future.

What sparked your early interest in science, and how did it shape your path toward becoming a chemist and researcher?

My interest in science began at a very young age. Initially, at around 4 or 5 years old, I was particularly captivated by ecology, with a special interest in the large animals of the jungle and the oceans. I would spend hours in front of the television watching BBC wildlife programs, imagining myself one day standing in the shoes of Sir David Attenborough: observing, studying, and understanding the habits and lifestyles of such fascinating creatures.

However, as I grew older, though my fascination with wildlife never faded, a parallel curiosity began to emerge: a desire to understand the microscopic phenomena that surround us, particularly the behaviour of atoms and molecules, so vastly different from what we perceive with our eyes in the macroscopic world. Choosing to study chemistry in higher education felt like a natural progression, and time seemed to fly by as I pursued this path.

From the moment I first set foot in a laboratory, I knew I wanted to contribute to a deeper understanding of natural phenomena and, ideally, to apply this knowledge toward better preserving our planet. My goal has thus become to help reduce the anthropogenic impact on the environment and, by extension, on the lives of the living beings that have fascinated me since childhood.

What role does chemistry play in addressing current challenges in water quality and the bioeconomy?

Chemistry, which can be summarized as the study of molecular behaviour and reactivity, plays a crucial role not only in identifying human-induced problems in waterways and oceans but also in seeking and developing solutions to these issues. In fact, while there are still many molecular or chemical phenomena yet to be understood, we have already reached a level of scientific knowledge that enables us to detect these environmental problems in aquatic systems more effectively, both earlier and with greater precision. Moreover, we now have the capacity to undertake research and development initiatives aimed at mitigating and addressing these challenges, striving whenever possible to align with a sustainable and circular economy.

You’ve been actively involved in science communication, especially with young students. What motivates you to share your knowledge, and what impact do you hope to achieve?

In my view, science is a systematic attempt to understand the universe and everything within it, and it only truly makes sense when shared with society as a whole. Regardless of the complexity of certain topics, especially in cutting-edge research, the current understanding of the phenomena that science seeks to address can and should be shared with all of humanity. Precisely because of the complexity of some of these subjects, I firmly believe it is absolutely essential for scientists to make an effort to deconstruct them, making them more accessible and comprehensible to our fellow citizens.

This conviction inspired me to dedicate some of my free time to engaging with young students, whether through school lectures or, more recently, by publishing a pop sci book for children. My aim has been to address a few key messages: that science is fascinating, that science can also

be fun, and that it is crucial to seek, through science, solutions to the problems our species has caused on the planet, as well as answers to our innate curiosity about how everything works.

What goals or aspirations do you have for your research and science communication efforts in the coming years?

I aspire to continue working in scientific research and to try to contribute both to incremental advancements in scientific knowledge and to practical solutions for concrete problems. At the same time, I hope to keep working to bridge the gap between society and the scientific community, inspiring younger generations to become the scientists of tomorrow.

I believe this effort should involve showing young people that there is still a vast amount of knowledge waiting to be uncovered and many questions, some of them millennia-old, still awaiting answers. One of these questions, which particularly fascinates me and to which I hope to contribute by sparking curiosity in others, is: How and where did life on Earth originate? We still don’t know, but I am confident that science — and chemistry in particular — will help us move closer to understanding this profound mystery soon.

Text by by Gina Palha, Communication, Conferences & Marketing Officer
Photography by Rui Andrade