Orquídia Neves, graduated in Geological Engineering (Univ. Aveiro, Portugal), holds a Master in Geochemistry (Univ. Aveiro, Portugal) and a PhD degree in Mining Engineering from IST (Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal), where is currently Assistant Professor and a researcher at CERENA (Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente). The main scientific activity is Environmental Geochemistry, in research related with the chemical characterization of mining, industrial and agricultural pollution and risk assessment of contaminated sites. Other interests include medical geology that dealing with relationship between geological and anthropic factors and effects on animal and human health (e.g. benefits of mineral/thermal waters) and geoforensics.