Filipe M. J. Figueiredo holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering (with Distinction and Honour) since 2026. In his thesis “Recovery of rare earth elements from CRT phosphors and NdFeB magnets – from lab to pilot unit”, he proposes to apply green hydrometallurgy principles for the recovery of rare earth elements (REE) from e-waste towards a circular economy. He has been researching since 2016, participating in multiple research fellowships and projects involving metal separation from uncommon secondary sources, design of unitary operations in pilot plants, chemical operation modelling and the functionalisation of materials. His scientific interests include REE chemistry, waste valorisation, hydrometallurgy, green engineering, chemical processes modelling and scaling-up, statistical analysis, characterization of complex solid materials and development of analytical methods for energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. His research is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals # 3 (good health and well-being - by reducing the use of hazardous chemicals), #9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure - by fostering recycling technologies that increase resource efficiency), #12 (responsible consumption and production - by promoting recycling and reducing mining production) and #13 (climate action - by promoting recycling which leads to a decrease of energy consumption and of GHG release). Filipe is co-author of six peer-reviewed scientific articles (and is working on three more papers) and two posters/abstracts at international conferences. He has experience of peer-reviewing in Q1 journals (2023-2024;2026). He has also written for a Portuguese newspaper. His commitment also has recently led him fully autonomous with ED-XRF spectrometers. He tutored a fellow in how to calibrate an ED-XRF portable spectrometer for REE analysis in several applications. He has experience with many other analytical techniques (ESI-MS, 1D/2D NMR, HPLC, UV/Vis, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, SEM/EDS, powder XRD, Raman, light diffraction, FTIR, TLC). This proves his adaptability and knowledge in different areas. He has also learned to manage the internal affairs of a laboratory, including safety protocols, orders managing and equipment troubleshooting. He was a teaching assistant in the Physical Chemistry course (Graduation in Chemical Engineering, IST) in theoretical-practical and laboratory classes in 2022-2023, in which he focused in active learning and other STEM pedagogical techniques. He participated in 19 activities and events, including one course and several short trainings on analytical techniques and methodologies, and several workshops, namely about teaching STEM and writing/reviewing scientific documents. He participated in two outreach events. He graduated in Chemical Engineering from IST (UL) in 2016. His MSc thesis work was “Estudos de Reactividade do Fármaco Antiplaquetário Clopidogrel”. This work provided a solid formation on organic chemistry (focusing on mild oxidation of thienopyridines and laboratory synthesis) and analytical chemistry. He made part of the Honour Roll twice. Filipe is highly motivated to improve the environment, understand natural processes and transfer scientific knowledge, and is also very responsible, autonomous and flexible.