{"id":7175,"date":"2025-02-10T08:25:35","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T08:25:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fe.up.pt\/dce\/2025\/?page_id=7175"},"modified":"2026-01-07T15:31:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T15:31:42","slug":"round-table-with-colabs-ctis-and-industry","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fe.up.pt\/dce\/2025\/program\/round-table-with-colabs-ctis-and-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Round Table with CoLABs, CTIs and Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/i> Local<\/strong>: Auditorium Prof. Dr. Jos\u00e9 Marques Dos Santos<\/h3>\n

<\/i> Date: Monday, June 30th<\/sup>, 2025 | 10h30-12h20
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<\/i> Moderators<\/strong>: Jo\u00e3o Lobo Ferreira, Head of Interface Mission<\/em>, ANI
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ad\u00e9lio Mendes, Full Professor<\/em>, LEPABE\/ALiCE, FEUP<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Topics:<\/strong> CoLABs, CTIs and Industry short pitches: the pitch session aims to present the key innovation challenges the institutions face, foster stronger collaboration with academia, and encourage the integration of PhD holders into the innovation process. Following the pitch session, a 15-minute round table discussion will take place, with each Speaker addressing key questions.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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REN\u2019s challenges of Energy Transition and Climate Change<\/strong><\/p>\n

REN \u2013 Redes Energ\u00e9ticas Nacionais is an exclusive TSO (Transmission System Operator) in Electricity and Gas Systems and 2sd largest gas DSO in Portugal, with 70-year track record as a leading energy infrastructure operator, with international presence. REN acts in accordance with the energy goals of the European Union and Portugal, helping the planet combat climate change to enable energy transition, without forgetting the security and quality of energy supply, the digitalization and innovation, and integrating new renewable capacity such as wind, solar and renewable gases. REN have a significant investment plan for 2024-27 1,5-1.7 B\u20ac investment.
\nREN Award, specifically in the context of academia, is indeed one of the oldest scientific awards in Portugal. It was established in 1995 to recognize and encourage excellence in energy-related research among Master’s and Doctoral theses in Portuguese higher education. REN will continue to foster internal people excellence, attract and retain talent.<\/p>\n

<\/i> Presentation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Pedro \u00c1vila<\/strong><\/p>\n

Director of Operational Sustainability<\/em>, REN<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/b><\/p>\n

Pedro \u00c1vila is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the energy sector, having worked at the three largest energy companies in Portugal. He currently serves as Director of Operational Sustainability at REN. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering, has strengthened his academic background with top-tier executive education, including an MBA from Porto Business School and the Advanced Management Program at AESE.
Throughout his career, he has led multiple national and international projects in both the gas and electricity sectors, consistently demonstrating strong expertise in project and operations management across various markets. His work is marked by a deep commitment to environmental responsibility and the mitigation of environmental impacts.
Beyond his professional life, Pedro is passionate about travel, music, design, and contemporary art. He strives to be an innovative leader, dedicated to team development and building a more sustainable future.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Bridging knowledge and innovation: The role of the Alliance for the Energy Transition (ATE) Agenda in connecting industry, SMEs, and academia<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

This presentation explores the ATE Agenda’s role in bridging industry, SMEs, and academia to accelerate the shift to sustainable energy. It focuses on how integrating highly qualified resources enhances innovation, research, knowledge transfer and the development of cutting-edge solutions. The presentation also addresses AAET’s role in sustaining these partnerships after ATE funding.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/i> Presentation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Lu\u00eds Seca<\/strong><\/p>\n

Director, <\/span><\/em>AAET (Association Alliance for the Energy Transition)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/b><\/p>\n

Lu\u00eds is a senior researcher at the Centre for Power and Energy and member of the Board of Directors of INESC TEC. His research areas are distributed electrical resources integration (renewable based electricity generation, electric vehicles, storage, etc.) in distribution and transmission grids, dynamic analysis of electrical systems, smart grids and energy efficiency. Lu\u00eds is also one of the Directors of AATE, an Association created to support the coordination, management and communication activities of the ATE Agenda, maximizing the value delivered and ensuring the success of ATE projects. AATE also aims to lay the foundations for an energy cluster, through a dynamic and competitive ecosystem for the energy transition.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Bridging Science and Industry: Leading Upstream and Industrial Innovation at Galp<\/strong><\/p>\n

Galp\u2019s Upstream and Industrial Innovation Center focuses on developing new solutions to enhance Galp\u2019s core business, aiming to reduce carbon intensity in exploration and production activities. The center leverages advanced technologies to optimize operations and asset value, while also supporting the decarbonization of Galp\u2019s industrial assets by promoting low-carbon technologies. Collaboration with startups, academia, and technology partners ensures a market-oriented approach to innovation. Specific projects include the development of inspection tools for operations at depths greater than 2000 meters, intelligent well completion technologies, and advancements in low-carbon fuels, carbon capture, and carbon utilization.<\/p>\n

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Marco Ferraz<\/strong><\/p>\n

Head of Upstream and Industrial Innovation Center, Galp<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n

After starting his career as a researcher in Portugal, Marco Ferraz moved to San Francisco to work as a visiting researcher at the USGS, in collaboration with NASA. In 2009, he relocated to Australia to pursue a PhD at the University of Sydney, where he also served as a lecturer at the School of Geosciences. Upon returning to Portugal in 2012, Marco joined Galp as a Geoscientist in Exploration and Production, contributing to some of the company\u2019s most prominent assets. Today, he leads the Upstream & Industrial Innovation Center at Galp, managing over 60 research, development, and innovation projects in Portugal and Brazil. These initiatives span oil and gas production, refining processes, and energy transition topics such as hydrogen, low-carbon fuels, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and energy storage. Marco is also chairman of the board of the Net4CO2 collaborative laboratory and board member of Bioref.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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VORTEX-CoLAB: Turning Research into Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n

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VORTEX-CoLAB bridges the gap between scientific research and real-world technology, focusing on cybersecurity, safety, and embedded systems \u2014 the core enablers of connected, autonomous technologies that shape how we live, move, and communicate. We bring together researchers, engineers, and industry partners to co-develop fast, practical solutions. Our projects combine applied research with hands-on prototyping, ensuring bold ideas are translated into tools companies can use. Students and PhD researchers are central to our work \u2014 not just observing, but contributing through thesis work, training, and active development. Through our affiliate program, companies gain early access to emerging technologies and help shape our innovation agenda. This model reduces risk, accelerates deployment, and keeps our work aligned with real-world needs. By advancing high-impact technologies, VORTEX is helping position Portugal as a relevant player in strategic sectors such as defense, semiconductors, and smart mobility \u2014 within Europe and beyond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Joana Maria<\/strong><\/p>\n

Executive Director<\/em>, Vortex-CoLAB<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Joana Maria is Executive Director of VORTEX-CoLAB, a nonprofit collaborative laboratory focused on applied research in AI, cybersecurity, and embedded systems. With a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she brings over 20 years of experience across academia and industry, leading a team of nearly 40+ researchers and engineers developing safety and security solutions for next-generation cyber-physical systems in sectors such as mobility, aerospace, and critical infrastructure. Her career includes over a decade at IBM Research, where she co-founded the AI4Good Fellowship Program and led research initiatives spanning from fundamental science to commercial applications, including breakthrough work that contributed to the development of the world\u2019s first AI-designed fragrance. She holds 10 issued patents and has authored 27 peer-reviewed publications. A strong advocate for applied research with societal impact, she brings a systems-level perspective to building innovation ecosystems that connect science, industry, and policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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From Research to Innovation: Paralab Engineering as a Bridge Between Academia and Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paralab Engineering has established itself as the partner of excellence in the development of customized, scalable and high-performance equipment. Over the last three decades, it has maintained a close and continuous collaboration with all research units, supporting researchers in the development of tailor-made solutions, from laboratory prototypes to semi-industrial equipment. This close link to research means not only the creation of technology adapted to the real needs of the academic and scientific world, but also success stories where the paths of the client and the company merge – as in the case of a researcher who, after completing his doctorate, joined the Paralab Engineering team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Sim\u00e3o P. Cardoso<\/strong><\/p>\n

Product Manager<\/em>, Paralab<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sim\u00e3o P. Cardoso holds an Integrated Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering (MIEQ) from FEUP (2005-2010)and a PhD in Chemical Engineering (Branch in Chemical Products and Processes Engineering) from the University of Aveiro. Since February 2021, he has been product manager at Paralab, a company that distributes scientific equipment for laboratory and industrial applications, and is responsible for several international brands in this field in the North of Portugal.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\u00c1guas do Douro e Paiva (AdDP) – a commitment to innovation, knowledge and transformative solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n

AdDP is the utility responsible for the bulk drinking water system that supplies 20 municipalities in Porto region. The company foresees that present and future challenges require collaborative, innovative and creative responses, which must also be anchored in knowledge. Having been created in 1995 – and celebrating its 30th anniversary – AdDP is a place of continuous evolution, where water continues to be an engine of progress, equity and hope for future generations.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Jaime Gabriel Silva<\/strong><\/p>\n

Head of innovation area<\/em>, \u00c1guas do Douro e Paiva S.A. and SimDouro S.A. (both AdP Group)<\/p>\n

Invited Teacher<\/em>, ISEP<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n

Born at Porto (1963). Civil engineer (FEUP \/ 1986); MSc (FEUP \/ 1997); currently, FEUP PhD student (PRODEC), in Asset Management field. He joined AdDP in 1998, where he was Engineering Director between 2000 and 2009, when he started management functions in the board of different \u00c1guas de Portugal Group companies, namely: Simlis (Leiria), \u00c1guas do Mondego (Coimbra), Simria (Aveiro), \u00c1guas do Centro Litoral (aggregated company of the former three) and \u00c1guas de Santo Andr\u00e9. In 2020, he returned to AdDP, coordinating the innovation area for AdDP and SimDouro, as well as leading some enterprise projects. Before 1998, he worked at Fase (1991-98), at CICCOPN Laboratory (1991), at IBM (1989-90) and at Com. Coord. Regi\u00e3o Norte (1987-89). Invited teacher at ISEP, since 1990.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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FIBRAN \u2013 What we do, challenges we face, and proximity with the academia<\/strong><\/p>\n

FIBRAN is a leading manufacturer of XPS insulation panels. In addition to standard products, we offer a wide range of custom shapes and tailor-made solutions to meet specific project needs. Our products are well-established in the construction industry, although some technical challenges remain due to the material’s intrinsic characteristics. To address these, FIBRAN is actively collaborating with academic institutions to further study and improve its performance, while continuing to deliver effective solutions for specialized applications.<\/p>\n

<\/i> Presentation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Lu\u00eds Filipe Santos<\/strong><\/p>\n

Product Prescription and Technical Support<\/em>, FIBRAN<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lu\u00eds graduated in Civil Engineering from FEUP in 2013. He began his career as an Assistant Project Manager on construction sites, contributing to the development of a new school and the renovation of a luxury hotel. He then joined a furniture manufacturer, where he managed FF&E assembly teams in Belgium and Luxembourg. Within the same company, he later oversaw proposal management, coordinating with both technical and commercial departments. Moving on, he took on the role of supporting project prescribers\u2014mainly architects\u2014providing technical guidance throughout the design process. Currently at FIBRAN, Lu\u00eds plays a key role in technical support for prescribers, closely aligned with marketing and production, contributing to the development of new products for new challenges.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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HyLab – Green Hydrogen Collaborative Laboratory <\/strong><\/p>\n

Presentation will introduce HyLab \u2013 the Collaborative Laboratory for Green Hydrogen \u2013 and its role in accelerating the development of innovative, science-based solutions for decarbonization. With a strong link between research and industry, HyLab contributes to the energy transition through applied R&D, technology integration, and support for industrial implementation.<\/p>\n

<\/i> Presentation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Ricardo Rato<\/strong><\/p>\n

Executive Director<\/em>, Hylab<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ricardo Rato is a Mechanical Engineer with a specialization in Energy from Instituto Superior T\u00e9cnico (IST). Passionate about the Energy Transition and Innovation, he has built a career dedicated to helping companies navigate and lead in these transformative domains. His experience spans both national and international contexts, where he has successfully combined strategic consulting with hands-on research and development. Over 15 years at the Welding and Quality Institute (ISQ), he progressed from Energy Consultant to Director of R&D and Innovation, leading high-impact projects and fostering cross-sector innovation. Since September 2023, Ricardo has been serving as Executive Director of HyLab, where he continues to drive forward the hydrogen economy and clean energy solutions.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Open Data, Open Innovation: The Experience of Creating E-REDES Open Data<\/strong><\/p>\n

The energy transition requires more than just technology \u2014 it demands collaboration. E-REDES Open Data was created as a sharing tool and serves as a mechanism for open innovation and collaboration between E-REDES and the community. In this pitch, I share the experience of developing this open data portal and real-world use cases by municipalities, mobility operators, and researchers. From planning charging networks to creating energy communities, data has become a tool for local action.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Lu\u00eds Tiago Ferreira<\/strong><\/p>\n

Responsible for the Smart Cities, Public Lighting, and Open Data<\/em>, E-REDES<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n

With more than 20 years of experience, including the support office to the General and Supervisory Board of EDP, Regulation and Energy Policy, strategic consulting, and network engineering. Graduated in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Instituto Superior T\u00e9cnico.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Room for PhDs in Companies? Here\u2019s what we think.<\/strong><\/p>\n

At \u00c1guas e Energia do Porto, we believe PhDs bring unique value to the future of water management. As we rise to the challenges of the green transition, we\u2019re turning our treatment plants into living labs. And we don\u2019t ask whether there\u2019s space for PhDs \u2013 we ask how far their knowledge can take us. Innovation needs both generalists and deep specialists. And we welcome both.<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

<\/i> Presentation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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M\u00f3nica Read<\/strong><\/p>\n

Projects and Works Engineer<\/em>, \u00c1guas e Energia do Porto<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n

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M\u00f3nica Read works in the Wastewater Treatment Department at \u00c1guas e Energia do Porto, where she currently manages public works contracts and leads the department\u2019s involvement in R&D and innovation projects, including Horizon Europe initiatives. With over 17 years of experience in process and electromechanical design for water and wastewater treatment plants, she has led or contributed to national and international projects across Europe and Africa during her time at Efacec. She holds a pre-Bologna degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Lisbon and an Executive MBA from the Cat\u00f3lica Porto Business School.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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KPMG Incentives: What It\u2019s Like to Be a PhD in a Big4 Company<\/strong><\/p>\n

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What happens when a researcher steps into the corporate world? In this talk, I\u2019ll share my journey from PhD to Consultant at KPMG Incentives, highlighting challenges, growth, and surprising overlaps. I\u2019ll also introduce KPMG and our R&D Incentives team, offering a glimpse into how academic skills can thrive\u2014and drive impact\u2014within a Big4 environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/i> Presentation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Joana Monte<\/strong><\/p>\n

R&D and Innovation Senior Consultant<\/em>, KPMG<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Biography<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Joana Monte holds a PhD in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from NOVA University Lisbon. She combines strong scientific knowledge with economic analysis skills. Following her PhD, Joana started her career pathway by working with companies, supporting them to obtain financial and tax incentives in Portugal. Specialized in guiding businesses to discover new growth opportunities, Joana supports companies in identifying and preparing applications for national funding programs. Over the past years, Joana accumulated expertise in the manufacturing industry, ICT, aerospace and automative sectors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Bridging Innovation Gaps: How INESC TEC Transforms PhD Excellence into Societal Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This presentation explores INESC TEC’s core innovation challenges bridging our 8 research domains (AI, Computer Science, Communications, Power & Energy Systems, Robotics, Photonics, Bioengineering, Systems Engineering) with societal applications through TEC4 initiatives: TEC4INDUSTRY, TEC4ENERGY, TEC4HEALTH, TEC4AGRO-FOOD, and TEC4SEA. We showcase our collaborative academic model and comprehensive PhD integration strategy that develops tomorrow’s leaders, demonstrating how our PhD graduates transition from university research to driving real-world societal impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/i> Presentation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Lu\u00eds Seca<\/strong><\/p>\n

Member of the Executive Board, <\/span><\/em>INESC TEC <\/span><\/p>\n

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Biography<\/b><\/p>\n

Lu\u00eds is a senior researcher at the Centre for Power and Energy and member of the Board of Directors of INESC TEC. His research areas are distributed electrical resources integration (renewable based electricity generation, electric vehicles, storage, etc.) in distribution and transmission grids, dynamic analysis of electrical systems, smart grids and energy efficiency. Lu\u00eds is also one of the Directors of AATE, an Association created to support the coordination, management and communication activities of the ATE Agenda, maximizing the value delivered and ensuring the success of ATE projects. AATE also aims to lay the foundations for an energy cluster, through a dynamic and competitive ecosystem for the energy transition.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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