Fernando Manuel dos Santos Tavares
Associate Professor
I am Assistant Professor at Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, and scientific coordinator (Group Leader/PI) of Microbial Diversity and Evolution, a group founded in March 2011 at CIBIO-InBIO.
I got my PhD from Umeå University in Sweden studying the cell wall functional properties of Frankia, a nitrogen-fixing symbiotic actinobacteria. Presently, my research interests are focused on the development of DNA-based methods to trace microbes in complex environmental samples, and to understand how evolutionary selective pressures shape microbial adaptation to specific environments.
As a researcher and as a teacher, having in mind the need to narrow the gap between biological research and public awareness of science, I have been involved in various studies designed to foster elementary school and high school students’ scientific literacy.