Manuel Vilares Ferro

Manuel Vilares Ferro is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the School of Computer Engineering, University of Vigo, where he leads the COLE (Computational Learning) research group, recognized as a Competitive Reference by the Xunta de Galicia. He previously served as a university professor at the University of A Coruña from 1994 to 2001.

Dr. Vilares Ferro holds the following degrees:

• Degree in Mathematics (1987) from the University of Santiago de Compostela
• Degree (1988) from the University of Santiago de Compostela
• Doctor in Computer Science (1992) from Nice-Sophia Antipolis University, France
• Mastère Spécialisé en Génie Logiciel (1987-88) from CERICS, Sophia-Antipolis

His research spans Natural Language Processing (specializing in Galician language tools), Real-Time Systems, and Machine Learning. He has pioneered the development of a Galician tagger through a longstanding agreement with the Ramón Piñeiro Center for Humanities Research and collaborates with industry leaders like Marcel Dassault Aviation on real-time applications. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical language processing solutions.

His research excellence has been recognized through:

• 6 six-year CNEAI terms
• Complement to Curricular Excellence of the Xunta de Galicia

Dr. Vilares Ferro has directed 11 doctoral theses, three receiving extraordinary awards and five with European/International Mentions. His research leadership includes:

• 8 national projects (4 as coordinator)
• 7 Xunta de Galicia projects (5 coordinated, 2 as coordinator)
• 3 Spain/France integrated actions
• 1 Spain/Portugal integrated action
• Industry contracts with 3.14 Financial Contents, Feuga, Telémaco SL, and ASEM

He coordinates the COLE research group, led the Galician Network of Language Processing and RI (2006-2014), and has maintained the Universities of Vigo/A Coruña agreement with the Ramón Piñeiro Center since 1995 for Galician language resource development.