Zita Carla Torrão Pinto Martins
	Gorlaeus Laboratory, Einsteinweg 55, 2300RA, Leiden, the Netherlands lab 3.36 - phone +31 (0)71 527 4440, office 3.32 - phone +31 (0)71 527 4541 e-mail: martins@strw.leidenuniv.nl
	degree in Chemistry (1997-2002) by Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Lisbon, Portugal
	Organic Chemistry in Space

• Re-analysis of nucleobases in Murchison using state-of-the-art HPLC equipment, in particular diode-array detector, to quantify the content of purines and pyrimidines in carbonaceous chondrites.
• Implementation of new techniques for the extraction of soluble organic compounds, in particular amino acids, from meteorites and other geophysical samples (e.g. impact related sediments) to improve the yield, increase the sensitivity and reduce the necessary sample amount.
• Apply the new techniques to samples that have not been accessible in the past due to restricted access to large amounts (several grams) of sample (e.g. CR type meteorites, SNC meteorites, micrometeorites).
• Measurement of stable isotope ratios in nucleobases with a GC-IRMS including required work for optimal separation using a regular GC-MS.
• Determination of fullerenes and PAHs in CI type meteorites (e.g. Orgueil and Ivuna).
• Analysis and characterisation of phosphonic and sulphonic acids in Murchison and other carbonaceous chondrites.