Ana Catarina Fialho

Ana Catarina Fialho is conducting a Ph.D. in Biology by the University of Faculty of Science of the University of Lisbon starting in 2026 within the Environment and Health Interactions. She is conducting the project Forensic potential of empty Calliphoridae puparia: Indicators of post-mortem interval and heavy metal contamination in cadavers, under the supervision of Maria Teresa Rebelo (CE3C). Ana Catarina Ph.D. project aims are: 1. To evaluate cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) variation over time in empty puparia as a molecular time marker, as a means of estimating the post-mortem interval; 2. To identify the most reliable genetic identification method from empty puparia, by comparing different extraction methods and molecular markers commonly used; 3. To assess the retention of heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium) in empty puparia following larval development in contaminated substrates, thus exploring their value as toxicological evidence in forensic cases.