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Mauro Ferreira Santos

Researcher

About

Bio

Dr. Ferreira Santos is currently a Technologist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory working on the development of capillary electrophoresis instruments and analytical protocols focused on the analysis of inorganic ions and small organic molecules relevant to astrobiology. He is an analytical chemist by training, and most of his time at JPL has been devoted to the study of chemical biosignatures relevant to the search for signs of extraterrestrial life in our Solar System. After joined JPL he also became particularly interested in prebiotic chemistry and origins of life. He received his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry from The University of São Paulo, Brazil. He likes to teach and to learn new things.

Mauro loves practicing and teaching Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of fight, acrobatics, balance, music, dance, history and culture). He lives in California with his wife and kids.

Education

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Brazil (2016)
  • M.S. in Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Brazil (2012)
  • Specialist degree in Technological Chemistry, University Center FIEO (UNIFIEO), Brazil (2010)
  • B.S. in Chemistry, University Center FIEO (UNIFIEO), Brazil (2008)

Research Interests

Electroanalytical Chemistry, Separation Science, Miniaturization of Analytical Systems, Analytical instrumentation, Astrobiology, Prebiotic Chemistry and Origins of Life

Experience

Professional Experience

  • Technologist II, Chemical Analysis and Life Detection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Jan 2021 – to date)
  • Caltech Postdoctoral Researcher, Chemical Analysis and Life Detection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Jan 2018 – Jan 2021)
  • CAPES Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil (Feb 2017 – Dec 2017)
  • Laboratory Supervisor, State Technical School (ETEC), Brazil (Oct 2011 – Dec 2012)
  • Chemistry Teacher, State Technical School (ETEC), Brazil (Mar 2010 – Dec 2012)
  • Chemistry Teacher, Educational Institute Elyte, Brazil (Mar 2010 – Dec 2010)
  • Chemistry Instructor, Metropolitan University of Santos (UNIMES), Brazil (Oct 2009 – Dec 2012)

Achievements

Awards & Recognitions

Publications

  1. Ferreira Santos, M. S.; Kurfman, E. A.; Zamuruyev, K.; Mora, M. F.; Noell, A. C.; Willis, P. A., A Voltage Trade Study for the Design of Capillary Electrophoresis Instruments for Spaceflight. Electrophoresis (Weinheim. Print), v. 44, p. 10-14, 2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.202200085
    Invited Paper: Special Issue on “Young and Inspiring Scientists in Electrophoresis”
  2. Ferreira Santos, M. S.; Zamuruyev, K.; Mora, M. F.; Noell, A. C.; Willis, P. A., A hydrodynamic injection approach for capillary electrophoresis using rotor–stator valves. Electrophoresis (Weinheim. Print), v. 44, p. 784-792, 2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.202200260
  3. Drevinskas, T.; Mora, M. F.; Ferreira Santos, M. S.; Noell, A. C. Willis, P. A., Submersible Capillary Electrophoresis Analyzer: A Proof-of-Concept Demonstration of an In Situ Instrument for Future Missions to Ocean Worlds. Analytical Chemistry (Washington), v. 95, p. 10249-10256, 2023.
    https://10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00572
  4. Drevinskas, T. et al., A gravity-independent single-phase electrode reservoir for capillary electrophoresis applications. Electrophoresis (Weinheim. Print), v. 44, p. 1047-1056, 2023.
    https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.202300015
  5. Brinckerhoff, W. B. et al., Europan Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI) for a Future Europa Lander Mission. Frontiers in Space Technology, Accepted, 2022.
    https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2021.760927
  6. Ferreira Santos, M. S.; Metz, B. C.; Costa, E. T.; Lago, C. L.; Willis, P. A.; Mora, M. F.; Noell, A. C., Towards a Radiation-Tolerant Contactless Conductivity Detector for use with Capillary Electrophoresis Systems in Spaceflight Applications. Acta Astronautica, v. 190, p. 299-307, 2022.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.10.023
  7. Jaramillo, E. A.; Ferreira Santos, M. S.;  Noell, A. C.; Mora, M. F., Capillary electrophoresis method for analysis of inorganic and organic anions related to habitability and the search for life. Electrophoresis (Weinheim. Print), v. 42, p. 1956-1964, 2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.202100134
  8. Zamuruyev, K.; Ferreira Santos, M. S.; Kurfman, E. A.; Mora, M. F.; Noell, A. C.; Willis, P. A., Automated Capillary Electrophoresis System Compatible with Multiple Detectors for Potential In Situ Spaceflight Missions. Analytical Chemistry (Washington), v. 93, p. 9647−9655, 2021.
    https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.1c02119
  9. Ferreira Santos, M. S.; Noell, A. C.; Mora, M. F., Methods for Onboard Monitoring of Silver Biocide During Future Human Space Exploration Missions. Analytical Methods, v. 12, p. 3205-3209, 2020
    https://doi.org/10.1039/D0AY00518E
    Cover Article (https://doi.org/10.1039/D0AY90087G)
  10. Ferreira Santos, M. S.; Cordeiro, T. G.; Noell, A.; Garcia, C. D.; Mora, M. F., Analysis of Inorganic Cations and Amino Acids in High Salinity Samples by Capillary Electrophoresis and Conductivity Detection: Implications for In-Situ Exploration of Ocean Worlds. Electrophoresis (Weinheim. Print), v. 39, p. 2890-2897, 2018.
    https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.201800266
    Cover Article (https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.201870181)