**About the Editors**

#### **Carlos J. P. Monteiro**

Carlos J. P. Monteiro is a researcher at the LAQV, University of Aveiro. He concluded his Ph.D. in Macromolecular Chemistry in 2012 (University of Coimbra). He was invited as a visiting research student at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain (2009), and at Louisiana State University, USA (2011). Following his Ph.D., he served as a post-doctoral researcher between 2012 and 2014 at the University of Porto and University of Coimbra. He was a co-founder of Luzitin (2010) and participated in the medicinal chemistry discovery phase of the first Portuguese oncological drug candidate, Redaporfin, in clinical trials. He was awarded the Inventa Grand Prize (2011) for the best Portuguese patent in health and received the IUPAC Young Chemist Award at the 42nd IUPAC Congress in 2009. As a principal scientific contributor, he is the author of 29 papers in SCI journals and 2 book chapters, and the inventor of 3 patents, and has presented > 40 poster communications and 14 oral communications at scientific meetings/seminars. His papers have been cited more than 900 times in different journals. He acted as guest editor of six Special Issues in the fields of organic chemistry/ medicinal chemistry, photochemistry/photobiology, materials, and catalysis.

#### **M. Amparo F. Faustino**

Dr. M. Amparo F. Faustino is an accomplished associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Aveiro, and earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry with a specialization in organic synthesis in 1999. Her research focuses on its diverse applications, including Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC), sensors, and photodynamic approaches. Dr. Faustino's scientific contributions are underscored by 3 patents, over 220 scientific papers in ISI journals, a H-index of 44, and more than 7000 citations. Beyond her academic achievements, Dr. Amparo Faustino plays important roles in scientific organizations. She currently holds the position of President of the Medicinal Chemistry and Biological Chemistry division of SPQ. Additionally, she serves as President of the Aveiro Regional Delegation of SPQ. Dr. Faustino is presently Past President of the European Photobiology Society (ESP) until 2025.

#### **Carlos Serpa**

Carlos Serpa, born in Lisbon in 1970, is presently an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Coimbra (Portugal). After the completion of his studies at the University of Coimbra (BSc Chemistry, 1995; MSc Physical Chemistry, 2000; PhD Photochemistry, 2004), Carlos Serpa took a one-year post-doc research position in the field of bioinorganic chemistry at Caltech (USA), under Harry B. Gray. He then earned two consecutive research positions within the national scientific and technological system (a Ciência 2007 Starting Grant and Investigator FCT Development Grant). His scientific interests cover a wide range of fundamental and applied research within the field of interactions between light and materials. His present research interests are focused on piezophotonic materials, materials chemistry for energy and health applications, and protein folding and aggregation. Carlos Serpa is co-author of over 60 papers in international peer-reviewed journals, over 185 conference proceedings, 3 book chapters, and 3 families of patents, one of them granted in 35 countries and licensed to a start-up company that emerged from his research. Carlos Serpa has been the principal investigator in R&D projects focused on piezophotonic materials and their applications in health sciences, and on nanostructured materials for application in renewable energies. In 2008, he was distinguished with the BES Innovation Prize. For many years, Carlos Serpa has contributed to teaching activities in graduate and post-graduate programs at the University of Coimbra, as well as in students' supervision. Presently, Carlos Serpa serves as managing director of the Coimbra Laser Lab, a member of the inter-disciplinary network of European national laser infrastructures, Laserlab Europe. Carlos Serpa was one of the founders of the technological spin-off company LaserLeap Technologies, SA and presently serves as CEO of this company.
