Blog
My secondment at KU Leuven
I have spent two wonderful weeks at the KU Leuven working alongside my colleague from the INCLUE project, Francisco. I’ve been very warmly welcomed both into the lab and outside of it. The people I shared the office with as well as those that feasted with me once the arduous day’s labour was complete were the ones who made the whole experience beyond pleasurable. With the patience of a sage and a sense of humour of a tired millennial, Francisco was a wonderful mentor and friend. He guided me through
When in Spain: WasteEng2026 Conference Participation
In the week of the 7th to 10th of July, I had the honour to participate in the WasteEng2026 conference in my home city, A Coruña (Spain). This conference, held biannually, gathers experts and professionals working in research and innovation in waste and biomass valorisation towards a sustainable transition, one of the main goals of the INCLUE Project. I gladly represented INCLUE in this conference together with DC9, my dear friend Erika Sinisgalli, who also exposed her research progress. In WasteEng2026 I had the pleasure to show my PhD progress
A Month at Watchfrog: Science, Adventure & Survival in France
I arrived in France expecting a focused research stay, but the month gave me far more scientific learning, cultural challenges, and memories I’ll carry forward. At Watchfrog, I worked on the REACTIV ecotoxicity assay using transgenic Japanese Medaka embryos. The experiment was concentration-dependent, testing sludge samples diluted down to 0.00625% and wastewater up to 0.625%. Watching these tiny embryos function as living biosensors for environmental health was one of the most interesting parts. It gave me valuable practical insights that directly connect to my ongoing PhD work on pollutant sensing
Sharing my research at the 2026 IWA Particle Separation Conference in Sapporo, Japan
Last week (20-24 June), I had the opportunity to represent our INCLUE project at the IWA Particle Separation Conference 2026, hosted by Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. The conference brought together researchers and professionals from around the world working on particle separation, resource recovery, water treatment, and related environmental technologies. During the conference, I presented my PhD work on metal electro-recovery from drinking water treatment sludge, a research topic that explores how electrochemical processes can contribute to resource recovery and circular water management. The presentation was delivered during
DC3 Returns to WatchFrog: Building on Experience and Advancing Research
This year, I had the opportunity to return to WatchFrog (France) for a second research stay as part of my PhD journey within the MSCA INCLUE project. Returning to a familiar environment offered a valuable perspective, not only on the progress of my research but also on my own development as a scientist over the past year. One of the most rewarding aspects of this secondment was reconnecting with colleagues and friends I had met during my previous stay. It was a pleasure to see familiar faces again, exchange updates
Who are you asking? A Week at SETAC Maastricht
Mid-May, I presented my research at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Europe 36th Annual Meeting in Maastricht. First, in a short presentation, and then beside my poster, titled “Comparative life‑cycle and cultural assessment of anaerobic digestion with and without thermal‑hydrolysis pretreatment”. For the length of a coffee-fueled poster session, I got to argue about something I’ve been quietly obsessing over for months: how much of a “sustainability” verdict is really about the world and how much of it is about us. The poster represented part of my
From Student to Guest Lecturer: Returning to the Classroom That Shaped Me
A few years ago, I was sitting in this room as a student of the MSc in Environmental Engineering (Sanitary Engineering specialization) at Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (NOVA School of Science and Technology), trying to imagine what my future in this field could look like. Today, now as a PhD candidate, I returned, this time to give a lecture to those same students. After two years away from direct teaching (since my time at Shanghai University), coming back to a classroom reminded me
My Secondment at SLU
April marked the end of my first secondment, which took place at the Department of Molecular Sciences of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala. Under the precious and gentle guidance of my co-supervisor Maria Westerholm, I focused on the molecular angle of my experiment. I carried out several analysis on my samples, while learning to critically assess the limitations and biases associated with different sequencing techniques and analytical approaches. Although it might feel discouraging to know that no methodology allows to entirely retrieve one’s targets, understanding these constraints
Three Months Away: My secondment at INRAE
Some experiences fit into a CV, while others quietly reshape the way you think, work, and see the world. My three-month secondment at INRAE in Narbonne was the latter. Before leaving, I wasn’t completely sure what to expect. Being part of a team of passionate scientists opened a new dimension of understanding for me in environmental research. The work was intensive and, at times, challenging, but that’s exactly what made the experience valuable. Being placed within a different scientific environment pushes you to question familiar approaches and leave your comfort
Training the Next Generation of Scientists: DC3 Tiago Martins supervises Simon van Es
As part of the HORIZON Europe MSCA INCLUE Project, I had the opportunity to supervise a graduation internship in Analytical Chemistry. The internship was carried out at Nijhuis Saur Industries by Simon van Es, a student from HAN University of Applied Sciences. For me personally, this experience represented an important milestone in my PhD journey. It was my first time supervising a student from start to finish on this topic that I have been carrying for so long. I have had the opportunity to teach in different universities and countries,
Electrochemical Pathways for Metal Recovery: My Midterm PhD Update at PETLab
On 19 February 2026, I had the opportunity to present the latest developments of my PhD research at the KU Leuven PETLab Seminar, hosted at KU Leuven Campus De Nayer. The session was part of the Arenberg Doctoral School seminar series and attracted researchers and students interested in cutting-edge solutions for sustainable resource recovery. My presentation, titled “Turning sludge into resource: Electrochemical Strategies for Metal Recovery and Safe Sludge Reuse,” explored how wastewater sludge, often considered an environmental liability, can instead be transformed into a valuable resource. Wastewater sludge contains
Science, Snowfall, and Sludge: My Secondment at KU Leuven
I arrived in Belgium expecting two weeks of scientific learning. I did not expect to be welcomed by snowfall, glowing city squares, and the quiet kindness of strangers helping me carry my luggage through the streets of Mechelen. As I stepped out into the cold evening air, snow had just started falling across the city. Coming from Glasgow, I was prepared for rain, but not for the surreal beauty of a Belgian winter evening illuminated by soft red lights and fresh snow. Tired from travelling and carrying heavy luggage, I
My secondment at KU Leuven
I have spent two wonderful weeks at the KU Leuven working alongside my colleague from the INCLUE project, Francisco. I’ve been very warmly welcomed both into the lab and outside of it. The people I shared the office with as well as those that feasted with me once the arduous day’s labour was complete were the ones who made the whole experience beyond pleasurable. With the patience of a sage and a sense of humour of a tired millennial, Francisco was a wonderful mentor and friend. He guided me through
When in Spain: WasteEng2026 Conference Participation
In the week of the 7th to 10th of July, I had the honour to participate in the WasteEng2026 conference in my home city, A Coruña (Spain). This conference, held biannually, gathers experts and professionals working in research and innovation in waste and biomass valorisation towards a sustainable transition, one of the main goals of the INCLUE Project. I gladly represented INCLUE in this conference together with DC9, my dear friend Erika Sinisgalli, who also exposed her research progress. In WasteEng2026 I had the pleasure to show my PhD progress
A Month at Watchfrog: Science, Adventure & Survival in France
I arrived in France expecting a focused research stay, but the month gave me far more scientific learning, cultural challenges, and memories I’ll carry forward. At Watchfrog, I worked on the REACTIV ecotoxicity assay using transgenic Japanese Medaka embryos. The experiment was concentration-dependent, testing sludge samples diluted down to 0.00625% and wastewater up to 0.625%. Watching these tiny embryos function as living biosensors for environmental health was one of the most interesting parts. It gave me valuable practical insights that directly connect to my ongoing PhD work on pollutant sensing
Sharing my research at the 2026 IWA Particle Separation Conference in Sapporo, Japan
Last week (20-24 June), I had the opportunity to represent our INCLUE project at the IWA Particle Separation Conference 2026, hosted by Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. The conference brought together researchers and professionals from around the world working on particle separation, resource recovery, water treatment, and related environmental technologies. During the conference, I presented my PhD work on metal electro-recovery from drinking water treatment sludge, a research topic that explores how electrochemical processes can contribute to resource recovery and circular water management. The presentation was delivered during
DC3 Returns to WatchFrog: Building on Experience and Advancing Research
This year, I had the opportunity to return to WatchFrog (France) for a second research stay as part of my PhD journey within the MSCA INCLUE project. Returning to a familiar environment offered a valuable perspective, not only on the progress of my research but also on my own development as a scientist over the past year. One of the most rewarding aspects of this secondment was reconnecting with colleagues and friends I had met during my previous stay. It was a pleasure to see familiar faces again, exchange updates
Who are you asking? A Week at SETAC Maastricht
Mid-May, I presented my research at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Europe 36th Annual Meeting in Maastricht. First, in a short presentation, and then beside my poster, titled “Comparative life‑cycle and cultural assessment of anaerobic digestion with and without thermal‑hydrolysis pretreatment”. For the length of a coffee-fueled poster session, I got to argue about something I’ve been quietly obsessing over for months: how much of a “sustainability” verdict is really about the world and how much of it is about us. The poster represented part of my