Dr. Boniek Gontijo Vaz
Biography & Research Interest
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of São Carlos (2007), a Master's in Chemistry from the State University of Campinas (2009), and a PhD in Chemistry from the State University of Campinas (2011). He is currently an Associate Professor I at the Federal University of Goiás. Since 2024, he has served as the Director of ALAGO (The Latin America Association for Organic Geochemistry). He is an Associate Editor for the journal Química Nova and the Coordinator of the Laboratory of Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (LaCEM) at IQ/UFG.
His research encompasses the development of instruments, methods, and analytical/bioanalytical protocols for the comprehensive identification of molecules and biomolecules in various complex mixtures using mass spectrometry. He is dedicated to studying the composition of petroleum and understanding the geochemical processes involved in its formation, aiming to develop new molecular indicators that support and minimize uncertainties in oil exploration and production.
Additionally, he works on elucidating molecular targets in highly complex chemical and biological mixtures, such as foods, biological fluids, various extracts, aquatic bed samples, and animal and plant tissues. In relation to these last two areas, he focuses on chemical imaging by evaluating the spatial distribution of molecules directly from the surface of animal or plant tissue.
He coordinates CEMEP, where he works on several research lines in the field of mass spectrometry:
i) Petroleum and Petroleomics – comprehensive characterization of crude oil, derivatives, and related products; ii) Organic Geochemistry – use of polar compounds to understand geochemical processes; iii) Ambient Ionization Sources – instrumental development and applications; iv) Chemical Imaging – development of protocols and applications to evaluate the spatial distribution of molecular targets in different matrices and surfaces.
Contact
+55 (62) 3521-2794
boniek@ufg.br