MED researcher highlighted on Swedish television for sustainable research applied to hair products

Catarina Fernandes, a PhD student at CERES at the University of Coimbra and at MED – University of Algarve, recently went on a scientific mobility to Mid Sweden University in Sundsvall, Sweden.

During her two-month stay, she was part of the FSCN Research Center, where she had the opportunity to deepen her knowledge of the work she is doing as part of her doctorate. The researcher is developing an ecological hair conditioner made from forest waste. More specifically, she is exploring the use of lignin – a natural compound from wood, usually considered a by-product – as a sustainable ingredient for hair care products.

Catarina’s research aims to demonstrate that lignin can replace conventional fossil-based compounds, guaranteeing the same conditioning effect with a significantly lower environmental impact, especially on aquatic ecosystems.

During her time at the Swedish university, her work attracted the interest of Swedish public television SVT, which highlighted her research in a report on sustainable solutions developed from forest by-products. See the report HERE.

The doctoral student was also interviewed by Mid Sweden University, where she shared the contribution of her research to the development of more environmentally friendly products, as well as the importance of international scientific experiences in her career. Read the interview HERE.