I am a retired Associate Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Lisbon. During my career I have taught history of pharmacy and therapeutics and researched the history of pharmacy and health sciences in the early modern and contemporary periods.

I have been living in Salvaterra de Magos for some time, about 60km from Lisbon. Salvaterra is located on the floodplain of the Tagus River. We call it the Lezíria do Tejo. From my workroom window I see, on the other side of the road, a large agricultural field. Behind that, a few hundred meters away, is the river. In front of me, the cycles of seasons and agricultural work unfold repeatedly.

When I had been living in Salvaterra for about two years, I started to have mobility problems and currently I have to get around in a wheelchair. Within the village I move easily on my mobility scooter. I even go into the supermarket to shop.

I am no longer able to travel independently to libraries and archives, but the immense resources currently available through the Internet allow me to remain active as an independent scholar.