On March 24, researcher Goreti Pereira, from CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies) and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Aveiro, returned to her hometown of Braga to take part in the “Scientist Returns to School” program, an initiative promoted by the organization Native Scientists. The activity took place at EB Bairro Económico and EB Santa Tecla schools and offered a very special session aimed at inspiring students through science and the personal journey of a researcher who once attended schools just like theirs.
During the workshop, Goreti Pereira addressed a highly relevant and pressing topic: water contamination by pharmaceuticals. She explained in a clear and accessible way how the widespread use of medications – in both human and veterinary medicine – has led to the recurring presence of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic systems, due to the incomplete elimination of these compounds in wastewater treatment plants. Many of these contaminants are not effectively removed by conventional treatment methods, accumulating in natural environments and potentially affecting aquatic organisms, ecosystems, and even human health, through the water we consume. The researcher also shared the progress her research group has made in developing more efficient and sustainable technologies to remove these emerging pollutants from water, contributing to innovative and environmentally safe solutions.
This initiative by Native Scientists aims to bring science closer to children, promoting dialogue between scientists and students in school settings and sparking interest in scientific research from an early age. The involvement of scientists like Goreti Pereira in such projects is crucial to fostering a more informed, critical, and curious society, and to reinforcing the transformative role of science in building a more sustainable future.