Environmental Mycology in Public Health

Carla Viegas - Graduated in Environmental Health from Lisbon School of Health Technology - Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon has a Master degree in Safety and Ergonomics from Lisbon University and PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health from New University of Lisbon. The author's major field of study is occupational and environmental mycology leading and participating in several projects about both areas of expertise. Special interest are occupational exposure to fungi in highly contaminated settings and complementarity of conventional methods and molecular tools to assess fungi occupational exposure with several articles published or in press. Professor at Lisbon School of Health Technology, Director of the Occupational Health Master's course and researcher at Environment and Health Research Group. Catarina Pinheiro has a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Lisbon, a degree in Conservation and Restoration from the New University of Lisbon and a PhD on Conservation Science from the New University of Lisbon. The focus of the current project is the fungal contamination in Archives and how this environment can affect both the people and the historic documents deposited at these premises. Particular interests are fungal microbiology, indoor air quality, occupational exposure to fungi and risk analysis with several articles published or in press. Has also teaching experience, both in the Pharmacy field and in Cultural Heritage and related thematics. Raquel Sabino graduated in Biology - Microbiology and Genetics by the University of Lisbon and PhD in Biology by Minho University. Specialized in clinical and environmental mycology, has been conducting research in these two areas of expertise. Professor in postgraduate courses covering these areas and also in environmental microbiology. Presently conducting research at the Portuguese Institute of Health and in California Institute of Medical Research / Stanford University in Aspergillus molecular epidemiology. Specialization domains are molecular epidemiology of Candida and Aspergillus, studies in clinical and environmental fungal isolates, regarding virulence and antifungal susceptibility pattern and related environmental health problems. One main interest of the author is also the nosocomial fungal infections. The author participated in several national and international projects and has several publications / communications in the referred areas of specialization. Susana Viegas graduated in Environmental Health from Lisbon School of Health Technology - Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon has a Master degree in Safety and Ergonomics from Lisbon University and PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health from New University of Lisbon. The principal research topics of this author are chemical occupational exposures and indoor air quality. Director and Professor of Environmental Health Graduate Course of Lisbon School of Health Technology and Coordinator of Environment and Health Research Group. Published mostly on occupational and environmental exposure to chemical agents and nowadays developing research about occupational exposures to mycotoxins in different settings. Joao Brandao graduated in Chemistry/Biotechnology, specialized in clinical mycology and environmental research work. Has been conducting research in these two areas of expertise, which also lectured at Lusofona University during 4 years (Genetics and Microbiology). Currently - staff of the National Institute of Health, Internal auditor for ISO 17025, and national delegate of the Portuguese Association of Medical Mycology to the European Confederation of Medical Mycology. Particular interest in sand microbiological quality as a biological reservoir of pathogens for recreational users. Has been busy with this subject for 11 years. Leading a monitoring sand programme promoted by the local Blue Flag organization until 2010. Leading R&D project on alternative methods to those currently used. Also very interested in nosocomial and endemic fungal infections as well as prevention and early molecular detection. Cristina Verissimo graduated in Biology from the University of Lisbon, specialized in environmental and clinical mycology. Has a masters degree in Human Biology and Environment on invasive aspergillosis. One of the pioneers in this area, the author participated in several national and international projects within environmental mycology, particularly in the project for monitoring the microbiological quality of the sands supported by the Portuguese Blue Flag association (ABAE) and in the ICREW European project financed by Interreg IIIB. Author of several publications in clinical and environmental mycology. Head of the Mycology Laboratory at the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge.