Mini-curriculum

Holds a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and Ph.D. in Physics from the Institute of Physics of São Carlos - University of São Paulo (USP), with a specialization in optical techniques and photonics. Since 2001, she has been a researcher at Embrapa Instrumentation, São Carlos/SP, where she currently serves as the Deputy Head of Technology Transfer. Her responsibilities include overseeing innovation and business initiatives with private companies.Her research focus at Embrapa is optics and photonics applied to agriculture and the environment. Since 2003, she has led the CNPq research group "Optics Applied to Agriculture and the Environment." In 2021, under her coordination, the first National Agri-Photonics Laboratory (Lanaf) was approved, supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, as part of the SISFOTON initiative.She develops methods, sensors, and equipment for analyzing soils, plants, fertilizers, and food. Among her groundbreaking contributions is the development of an automated method and equipment using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for quantifying carbon, nutrients, and contaminants in soil. She has also developed portable systems for the early diagnosis of plant diseases directly in the field.The expertise developed in applying the LIBS technique to soil analysis led to the creation of a Lanaf spin-off, Agrorobótica. Through an open innovation partnership with Agrorobótica, she developed the AgLIBS system, which was licensed to the company in 2018. Lanafs students and postdocs involved in the project were employed by the company, which now has 30 employees and conducts soil analyses across all regions of Brazil. The company pays royalties to Embrapa Instrumentation and continues collaborating on new projects.She has established numerous international collaborations with institutions in Europe and the USA throughout her research career. Her academic output includes approximately 697 publications, with 143 indexed in international journals and over 6,500 citations.Leadership in Technology Transfer and InnovationAs Deputy Head of Technology Transfer, she has been instrumental in expanding Embrapa Instrumentation's portfolio of open innovation and private sector partnership projects. Over four years, the number of such projects increased from 25 to over 65. She has also played a pivotal role in supporting the development of startups by engaging with investors and venture capitalists. Currently, four spin-offs and startups partnering with Embrapa Instrumentation have been successfully accelerated and are making a significant impact in the agribusiness market.Awards and RecognitionsIn 2023, she received the Yvone Mascarenhas Award from the Municipal Government of São Carlos for her scientific contributions.In 2024, she was honored with the Women's Excellence in Photonics and Entrepreneurship award (3rd Workshop in Photonics) for her inspiring contributions to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in photonics. This recognition highlights her role as a motivational example for women in science and technology.In 2024, she was invited by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation to join the Photonics Advisory Committee (CCFoto).For further details, see her profile on Publons: https://publons.com/researcher/2504719/debora-mbp-milori/

Education

1983 - 1986

Graduação em Bacharel Em Física

Universidade de São Paulo

Obtained year: 1986

1987 - 1989

Mestrado em Física

Universidade de São Paulo

Title: Caracterização do LiNbO3:Er+3 como meio ativo para lasers de estado sólido através de espéctros de absorção/emissão e medida dos tempos de vida de luminescência

Obtained year: 1989

Advisor: Máximo Siu Li

1989 - 1994

Doutorado em Física

Universidade de São Paulo

Title: Caracterização de uma armadilha magneto-ótica para átomos de sódio

Obtained year: 1994

Advisor: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato

1998 - 1999

Pós-Doutorado em

Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária

Obtained year: 1999

2000 - 2001

Pós-Doutorado em

Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária

Obtained year: 2001

1995 - 1996

Pós-Doutorado em

Universidade de São Paulo

Obtained year: 1996

Areas of expertise

1. Grande área: Exact and Earth Sciences / Área: Chemistry / Subárea: Analytical Chemistry / Especialidade: Optical Analysis Methods
2. Grande área: Exact and Earth Sciences / Área: Physics / Subárea: Condensed Matter Physics / Especialidade: Other Inter. of Mat. with Rad. and Part.
3. Grande área: Exact and Earth Sciences / Área: Physics / Subárea: Classic areas of Phenomenology and Applications / Especialidade: Optics
4. Grande área: Exact and Earth Sciences / Área: Chemistry / Subárea: Physical Chemistry / Especialidade: Spectroscopy
5. Grande área: Exact and Earth Sciences / Área: Chemistry / Subárea: Analytical Chemistry / Especialidade: Trace Analysis and Environmental Chemistry
6. Grande área: Agricultural Sciences / Área: Agronomy / Subárea: Soil Science / Especialidade: Soil Chemistry