In the world of chemistry, Dr. Heloa Santos stands out as a significant influence. Her work spans various subfields including catalysis, mass spectrometry, and forensic chemistry, marking her as a key figure within the scientific community in Brazil. But now Santos is looking for a bigger footprint in her field and is planning an audacious project to get her this status- pioneering a transformative vision for the U.S. petrochemical industry.
As is often the case, big ambitions rely on innovative thinking and Santos is aiming for a huge innovations in this sector and seeks to do so in unprecedented ways Her strategy centers on launching an innovative consulting firm specializing in industrial chemical testing and certification. This venture targets corporations operating across sectors that utilize chemicals or their derivatives, prioritizing, in the initial five-year span, those dealing with basic chemicals such as acids, caustic soda, and primary chemicals, along with various industrial products. Dr. Santos s ambitious plan seeks to enhance quality assurance, safety, and compliance within these industries, redefining product and process standards across the board.
Dr. Santos career began in earnest in 2007 when she enrolled at the Federal Center for Technological Education of Espírito Santo (CEFET-ES) to undertake a technical/professional course in chemistry. From this initial foundation, she built a reputation for dedication to her field and to the education of her fellow students.
A notable part of her early journey was an internship at the Vitória Unit of CEFET-ES in 2008, where she gained hands-on experience with practical aspects of chemistry, such as preparing classes, managing equipment, and organizing laboratories. These experiences provided the groundwork for her future professional development.
In 2009, she entered the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Espírito Santo (IFES) for her undergraduate studies. During this period, she focused her research on optimizing the esterification of oleic acid, using a heterogeneous catalyst, Nb2O5/CCA.
Dr. Santos furthered her education by undertaking her master s degree at the Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) from 2011 to 2012. There, she conducted research on partial methane oxidation in perovskite oxide catalysts, contributing to advancements in this area of study. Her work during this period earned her a scholarship from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).
Adding to her growing academic portfolio, she published an article in Revista Virtual de Química in 2015, detailing her research on catalysts for syngas production by methane conversion. This achievement, along with securing the seventh position in a competition for a professorship at the Federal Institute of Rio de Janeiro, demonstrated her rising profile within the scientific community.
Dr. Santos delved into forensic chemistry during her doctorate studies from 2015 to 2018 at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES). Her research on the quantification of drugs of abuse in forensic sciences, conducted in collaboration with the Civil Police and Federal Police of Brazil, further broadened her expertise.
During her doctoral studies, she registered a patent, demonstrating her commitment to innovative research and application of scientific solutions. Following her doctorate, she accepted a position as a Chemistry professor at the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo in 2016.
In 2017, she won a prestigious CAPES scholarship for postdoctoral research at West Virginia University, enabling her to collaborate with international specialists in forensic sciences. This work helped her to gain further expertise in her field.
After her postdoctoral fellowship at the Laboratory of Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (LaCEM) at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) from 2018 to 2019, Dr. Santos taught a short course on miniaturized sample preparation techniques. Her teaching efforts demonstrate her dedication to transferring knowledge to the next generation of chemists.
Dr. Santos publications in prominent journals such as Analytical Methods and BMC Veterinary Research have contributed significantly to the fields of mass spectrometry and analytical validation. Her work has been cited by others in the field, indicating its influence within the scientific community.
In addition to her academic and teaching achievements, Dr. Santos has been actively involved in organizing scientific events, such as the 1st CSI Vitória: Brazilian Congress of Forensic Sciences in 2016.
Throughout her career, Dr. Santos has advocated for the importance of analytical validation, emphasizing its critical role in ensuring the reliability of data across various sectors. Her ongoing contributions to research, scientific discovery, and education demonstrate her significant impact on the scientific community and the fields of Chemistry and Analytical Validation. Dr. Heloa Santos continues to be an inspiration to students and colleagues as she further expands the boundaries of scientific knowledge.