Lígia Raquel Marona Rodrigues is an Associate Professor with Habilitation at the University of Minho (UM), Portugal , where she serves as Vice Dean of the School of Engineering and President of the Pedagogical Council . She is also Associate Director of the Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB) and former Head of the Department of Biological Engineering (2018-2022) . Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from UM (2005) , a Habilitation from UM (2017) , and postdoctoral work at UM, IPATIMUP (University of Porto), and University of Lund (2006-2007). Research Focus: Synthetic biology, cancer diagnostics, functional food, biosurfactants, and bioprocess development. Leadership: Directed the MSc in Technology and Food Science (2014-2019), co-founded spin-off companies in Life Sciences, and evaluates for Horizon Europe and other funding bodies.
Dr. Zoe Anne Dyson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Infection Biology within the Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). She specializes in computational and laboratory microbiology, focusing on the genetic epidemiology and evolution of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial agents causing enteric fever (Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi A). She is establishing the TyphiNET (https://typhi.net) and AMRnet online surveillance platforms and serves as a founder and coordinator of the Global Typhoid Genomics Consortium. Current position: Assistant Professor at LSHTM (Jan 2023-Jan 2026) Previous positions: Research Fellow at LSHTM, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, Visiting Scientist at Wellcome Sanger Institute Academic background: PhD in Microbiology, BComp/BAppSc in Computer Science & Biotechnology Dr. Dyson's research spans antimicrobial resistance, bacterial pathogen genomics, genetic epidemiology, and bioinformatics software development. Her work focuses on Salmonella spp., typhoid fever, and paratyphoid fever, with development of multiple bioinformatics tools including Typhi Mykrobe, AmpliconTyper, and EnviroAmpDesigner. These tools analyze pathogen genomic data to support public health decision-making through platforms like TyphiNET, enabling global surveillance of drug-resistant typhoid. Her recent publications show a strong trend toward developing computational methods for analyzing pathogen genomics data, particularly for antimicrobial resistance detection in environmental samples and clinical settings. The research spans multiple continents with emphasis on typhoid-endemic regions in Asia and Africa, reflecting her commitment to translational public health applications. Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), 2024 Co-author on manuscript awarded LSHTM AMR Centre Publication Prize, 2024 Editor for mSystems journal (American Society for Microbiology) Reviewer for prestigious journals including Lancet Microbe, Nature Medicine, and Journal of Clinical Microbiology As an educator, Dr. Dyson teaches across multiple MSc programs at LSHTM, including Genomic Health Data, Pathogen Genomics, and Programming modules. She has led international workshops in Pakistan, South Africa, Ghana, and Bangladesh on bacterial genomics and antimicrobial resistance. She is currently working toward attaining the Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) accreditation. Her research is supported by grants including the European Commission's TyphiNET project and LSHTM funding for paratyphoid fever surveillance. She collaborates with the Centre for Data and Statistical Science for Health and the Antimicrobial Resistance Centre at LSHTM.
Sam Abbott is an Assistant Professor in Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Dynamics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), where he is based in the Epiforecasts group. He also holds concurrent appointments as a Research Fellow at LSHTM (January 2020-present) and as a Research Associate at SACEMA in South Africa (December 2021-present). Prior to his current academic position, he worked as a Data Scientist at Funding Circle (2017-2019) and completed his PhD at the University of Bristol. His educational background includes: PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Bristol (2015-2019) MSc in Advanced Mathematical Biology from the University of York (2014-2015) MMath in Mathematics from the University of Durham (2010-2014) Abbott's research focuses on developing, evaluating, and applying methods for improving our understanding of infectious disease dynamics in real-time. He is particularly interested in nowcasting right-truncated data, forecasting variant dynamics, reconstructing unobserved infections from various data sources, and estimating key epidemiological parameters such as the effective reproduction number, growth rate, and generation interval distribution. He is committed to open and collaborative science, with much of his recent work focused on the COVID-19 response, though his underlying focus is pathogen-agnostic sparse data settings. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on methodological development for real-time infectious disease surveillance and forecasting. His work frequently addresses challenges in nowcasting, forecasting accuracy, model evaluation, and integration of diverse data sources for improved epidemic understanding, with significant contributions to understanding variant dynamics (Delta, Omicron), the impact of public health measures, and collaborative forecasting approaches. Abbott received the Directors Early Career Researcher Award in 2020 and has secured grant funding including 'Surge-capacity public health modelling support for COVID-19 Omicron wave and post-wave' from Stellenbosch University (May-October 2022). As an educator, Abbott teaches on the modern methods for infectious disease modelling short course, particularly leading the best practices session. He is active in the epinowcast community, developing open-source tools and methods for current surveillance of infectious diseases and preparing for future outbreaks. His technical expertise includes R, Julia, and Stan programming languages.
Paula Costa is a Researcher at the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF), specializing in sustainable extraction of bioactive compounds from agricultural byproducts. She holds a Master's degree, though the institution and field are unspecified. Her research focuses on: Valorization of industrial waste streams (e.g., sugarcane filter cake) Development of sustainable lipid extraction methodologies Pharmacological applications of plant-derived compounds like policosanol and kaurenoic acid Computational modeling of lipid interactions with human physiology Her recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on: Circular economy approaches in food processing Antioxidant characterization of novel compounds Synthetic biology for pharmaceutical development She collaborates extensively with researchers including F.S. Teixeira, A.L. Fontes, and L.M. Rodríguez-Alcalá on projects involving waste-to-value conversion and sustainable food technologies.
Anne-France Beaufils is an Assistant Professor at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Human Sciences, with expertise in adult education, language teaching, and e-learning. She is affiliated with the Research Centre for Communication and Culture (CECC) and founded AFB Línguas, a professional language institute in Portugal. Education: PhD in Languages and Cultures Didactics from Université Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris 3 (2007) Her research focuses on collaborative writing, foreign language learning, and digital citizenship. Recent studies include remote emergency learning during the pandemic, ICT integration in language training, and interclasses collaborative activities. Key collaborations include work with researchers in Brazil and France, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG4: Education). Notable publications address workplace language needs, student self-reflection, and digital tools for foreign language engagement.
Rosalind Murphy is a Researcher at the Research Centre for Communication and Culture (CECC), leveraging 15+ years of corporate leadership in global marketing and event strategy from roles at Netflix, Microsoft, and Infor to advance cultural research and industry-academia collaboration. She actively contributes to initiatives like the Lisbon Consortium and New York Women in Film and Television. Her educational foundation includes: M.B.A. in International Business from Rutgers University, Newark, NJ M.B.A. Fellowship Study Abroad at Ecole Supérieure de Commerce Tours, France B.S. in Finance/Computer Science from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA Her research examines Festival Studies and Global Marketing through industry applications, emphasizing Relationship Marketing, Content Strategy, and Leadership Development in multicultural contexts. This work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for inclusive economic growth and cultural preservation, particularly in entertainment and technology sectors. Key recognitions include: Microsoft Circle of Excellence Microsoft Diversity & Inclusion Award New York MBA of the Year Newark International Film Festival Best Feature Film She bridges academic and industry practice through conference organization (e.g., 2025 XIII Graduate Conference in Culture Studies) and advisory roles at the NJ Performing Arts Center, focusing on translating corporate strategies into cultural impact.
Stefania Stellacci is an Assistant Professor and researcher at Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon , affiliated with the School of Technologies and Architecture and the ISTAR-Iscte Research Center . Her work bridges Architectural Heritage , Sustainable Heritage Management , and Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) , with a focus on seismic resilience, decolonization, and digital transformation in urban contexts. PhD in Architecture (Iscte, 2018) funded by FCT MSc in Architecture (University of Ferrara, 2006) Postgraduate in Built Conservation (Roma3 University, 2007) Her research integrates Cultural Heritage and Civil Engineering , emphasizing participatory approaches and data-driven tools for heritage preservation. Key projects include RETIME (Horizon Europe) for urban climate adaptation and SPEAK_OVER (2021–2023) on traditional timber architecture. Stefania has co-edited a book on Advanced Research and Design Tools for Architectural Heritage (Routledge, 2024) and published in Journal of Urban Design , International Journal of Architectural Heritage , and Journal of Building Engineering . Her awards include the Erasmus+ Job Shadowing (2023) and multiple international competition prizes. She mentors Master's students at Iscte, coordinates summer schools like Advanced Analysis for Integrated Urban Development Strategies (2023), and leads initiatives such as the Unforeseen Paths symposium (2022). Her outreach includes exhibitions on São Tomé and Príncipe plantations and participation in the European Researchers' Night .
António Raimundo is an Assistant Professor at Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon's School of Applied Digital Technologies, where he coordinates the Bachelor's program in Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. He serves as an Integrated Researcher at ISTAR-Iscte focusing on Information Systems. His educational background includes a PhD (2023), Master's (2016), and Bachelor's (2015) in Computer Engineering/Information Sciences from the same institution. Research interests span: Core AI/ML : Deep Learning, Large-Scale Language Models, Neural Architecture Search Applied Technologies : Computer Vision for industrial inspections, UAV/drone systems for rescue operations Cross-disciplinary : IoT-enabled rehabilitation systems, telecom network optimization, and air transport analytics Publications demonstrate strong focus on industrial AI applications (65%) and real-time systems (35%), with recurring themes in sensor fusion, UAV autonomy, and efficiency optimization. Most works appear in Q1 journals like Sensors and IEEE Access .
Maria do Rosário Domingos Laureano is an Assistant Professor at ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon, affiliated with the Department of Social and Business Sciences. She serves as an Integrated Researcher at ISTAR-Iscte (Research Center in Information Sciences, Technologies and Architecture), leading the Computational Modeling of Systems group. Her academic qualifications include a PhD in Quantitative Methods (ISCTE-IUL, 2009), a Master's in Applied Mathematics (Higher Technical Institute-UTL, 2002), and a Bachelor's in Mathematics (Faculty of Sciences-UL, 1990). Her research explores dynamical systems , mathematical optimization , and complex networks , with applications ranging from chaos synchronization in physics to biomathematical modeling of physiological processes. She employs cohomological methods, nonlinear differential equations, and multicriteria decision analysis across interdisciplinary domains including neuroscience, cybersecurity, and architectural sustainability. Laureano's publications emphasize chaos theory, cohomology in dynamical systems, and real-world complexity. Recent works investigate Lie group cocycles, Anosov systems, and biological signal dynamics, reflecting a consistent focus on theoretical rigor coupled with applied interdisciplinary modeling. Her 2025 research advances synchronization frameworks for chaotic systems and re-examines foundational celestial mechanics problems. She actively mentors graduate students, including doctoral research on molecular dynamics and water coherence phenomena. Her teaching portfolio includes core courses such as Mathematical Optimization , Computational Intelligence , and Multivariable Calculus across engineering and applied mathematics programs.
Adriana de Almeida Portela Viana de Sá is a transdisciplinary artist, researcher, and academic affiliated with Lusófona University in Lisbon, where she is an integrated member of CICANT – Centre for Research in Applied Communication, Culture, and New Technologies. She holds a PhD in Arts and Computing from Goldsmiths, University of London (2016) and a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Lisbon (1996). She has served as an invited professor at Coimbra University, ESAD, and Noroff University College, and has been a board member at Lusófona since 2021/2022. PhD in Arts and Computing, Goldsmiths, University of London (2016) Bachelor in Fine Arts, University of Lisbon (1996) Her research lies at the intersection of artistic practice, interaction design, audio-visual theory, and perception science. She explores how sound, light, movement, and digital environments interact to create immersive and expressive experiences. Her work integrates neuroscience and experimental psychology to understand sensory and cognitive engagement in performance contexts. The body of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on live interfaces, parametric modeling, and the design of expressive instruments. Themes include spatial presence, audio-visual synchronization, and the analysis of sound art, reflecting a deep engagement with both theoretical and practice-based research in digital arts and human-computer interaction. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the Live Interfaces Journal and has chaired the International Conference on Live Interfaces in 2014 and 2022. Her editorial and leadership roles demonstrate significant contributions to the academic community in the field of live and interactive art. Adriana Sá has supervised research and mentored emerging artists through her academic and artistic engagements, though specific student names are not listed. She has not received formal grants mentioned in the text, but her sustained research output and international collaborations indicate active project development. Her work is supported through institutional affiliation with CICANT and participation in international conferences and publications. She is a core member of CICANT and contributes to shaping research direction at Lusófona University. Her artistic and research practice forms a collaborative network across institutions in Portugal, the UK, and beyond, particularly through the Live Interfaces community and her involvement in xCoAx and NIME conferences.
Ricardo Jorge Lopes Egipto is a researcher affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering at Instituto Superior de Agronomia , focusing on grapevine physiology, irrigation optimization, and climate change adaptation in Mediterranean viticulture systems. His work combines biophysical modeling, transcriptomic analysis, and sensory profiling of wine grape varieties. Research interests include: Deficit irrigation strategies Climate-resilient viticulture Wine aroma characterization Plant-water relations Energy flux dynamics in vineyards Recent publications demonstrate his expertise in: Machine learning for wine authenticity verification Soil moisture-plant transpiration linkages Transcriptomic responses to drought stress Abiotic stress-adapted grape varieties Biophysical modeling in extreme climates
Plinio Moreno López is a Researcher at the Faculty of Engineering , University of Lisbon . His work spans robotics, computer science, and neurotechnology, focusing on human-robot interaction, 3D perception, and EEG-based systems. Active in robotics and artificial intelligence research Specializes in multimodal sensing and action recognition Develops socially interactive robotic systems Research interests center around human-robot interaction , deep learning , and 3D object detection . His recent publications demonstrate expertise in knowledge distillation for autonomous systems, cross-view action recognition, and EEG-based interaction models. Collaborations span both robotics and healthcare domains with emphasis on sensor networks and temporal resolution. Scientific contributions include: Advancing social robotics through engagement models Developing EEG-based anticipation frameworks Optimizing 3D perception via knowledge distillation Creating fall detection systems using wrist sensors Building mutual information metrics for robot adaptation Pioneering exocentric-to-egocentric view transitions
Nuno Fachada is an Assistant Professor at Lusófona University's School of Communication, Arts and Information (ECATI) and a researcher at COPELABS (Cognitive and People-centric Computing). He teaches Programming and AI in the Videogames Bachelor's program and Research Software in the Informatics PhD program, with research spanning Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Modeling and Simulation, High Performance Computing, and Computer Science Education. His work integrates computational methods with applications in game development, wildfire management, and networking. Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from IST (2005) Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from IST (2008), focusing on immune system simulation PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from IST (2016) with thesis 'Agent-Based Modeling on High Performance Computing Architectures', awarded 'Pass with Distinction and Honour' Research interests emphasize Agent-Based Modeling for complex systems like wildfires and immune responses, Particle Swarm Optimization algorithms, and OpenCL for parallel computing. He develops educational tools for game development curricula and applies AI to environmental monitoring and wireless networks, with strong output in simulation frameworks and human-centric computing. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal three dominant trends: wildfire modeling using satellite data and agent-based approaches, large language models for engineering code generation (e.g., LoRaWAN), and game AI for procedural content and rehabilitation. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in environmental science and healthcare, while maintaining focus on education through tools like TextCL and cf4ocl. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards, fellowships, or medals were mentioned in the provided text Advising and Grants: Fachada serves as a researcher in ILIND-funded projects, notably the 'Cybersecurity Awareness Training Simulator' (2024-2025) with six collaborators. He supervises PhD students in Informatics but specific advisees aren't listed. His grant activity primarily involves institutional projects through Lusófona University's research center, with emphasis on simulation-based tools for real-world applications. Labs and Teams: He is a core researcher at COPELABS, focusing on cognitive and people-centric computing projects including wildfire simulation and cybersecurity training. Prior to Lusófona, he conducted postdoctoral work at LaSEEB/ISR (Institute for Systems and Robotics), maintaining connections to IST. His team collaborations span international researchers in environmental modeling and AI, with recent projects involving Portuguese and European institutions.
Louis Philippe Simões Castelo Branco Lopes is an Assistant Professor at Lusófona University and a researcher at the Human-Environment Interaction Lab (HEI-Lab). His work focuses on Digital Game AI, Affective Computing, and Human-Computer Interfaces, particularly in virtual cinematic productions. Primary Affiliation: Lusófona University Research Lab: HEI-Lab (Human-Environment Interaction Lab) His research explores emotional input integration in virtual environments, leveraging biofeedback data such as ECG, EDA, and fMRI to adapt game mechanics and 3D spaces. Key projects include REPLAY (European Joint Masters in Games) and Warning Impact (severe weather warning responses in Portugal). The 15 most recent publications highlight trends in Virtual Reality , Indie Horror Game Design , and Physiological Signal Processing . Subfields include biofeedback adaptation, procedural content generation, and affective AI. Scientific Awards: 2024 IEEE Transactions on Games Best Reviewer Award 2023 IEEE Transactions on Games Best Paper Award 2020 IEEE Transactions on Games Honorary Paper Award 2024 IEEE Transactions on Games Best Paper Award Lopes actively reviews for journals like IEEE Transactions on Games and serves on thesis examination committees. His work bridges game development, affective computing, and immersive technology.
PAULA CRISTINA NUNES FIGUEIREDO is affiliated with the School of Economic and Organizational Sciences , focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of human resources, digital transformation, and organizational management. Her work spans topics like employee engagement, leadership development, and business continuity in the digital age. Primary Affiliation: School of Economic and Organizational Sciences Research Interests Human Resources Employee Engagement Business Continuity Risk Management Leadership Development Artificial Intelligence Publications Her recent publications (2025) include books and chapters addressing employee experience management via data science, eco-leadership in the digital age, psychological safety in workplaces, and resilience in business continuity. These works often integrate themes of ethics, sustainable development, and emerging technologies.
