Meet Josias de Oliveira Merib

Josias and his group develop sustainable, accessible microextraction methods for chemical analysis. Their workflows combine alternative solvents, automation, and 3D printing to create environmentally friendly and cost-effective approaches for analyzing environmental, food, and biological samples.

“I am particularly excited about developing cost-effective sample preparation platforms by integrating 3D printing and automation,” he says. “These technologies can make sample preparation simpler, more affordable, and accessible.” Josias is also applying these devices to environmental samples. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme events, he sees an urgent need for methods capable of monitoring a broad range of contaminants.

Over the next decade, Josias expects the integration of AI with automated experimental workflows to have a major impact. “AI-assisted platforms integrated online with analytical instruments could optimize extraction conditions, reduce human intervention, improve reproducibility, and enable faster, more efficient, and independent analytical workflows,” he says. However, generating reliable information from complex samples and large datasets will also require students to develop the critical thinking needed to interpret analytical data properly.

Establishing his own research group at the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre allowed Josias to pursue independent ideas, explore analytical chemistry’s contribution to the health sciences, and mentor young researchers. “This experience taught me that collaboration, persistence, and supporting others are just as important as scientific results,” he says.

Team sports have similarly reinforced the importance of trust, communication, and preparation. “These lessons influence how I lead my research group by encouraging students to read widely, expand their creativity, make independent decisions about their projects, and build confidence in their own abilities.”