Diogo Babo
“This nomination reflects the decisive role and dedication that Diogo has shown in the i-STENTORE and ATE projects. Concerning the first, he designed the data pipeline for collecting and integrating information from the Empresa Eletricidade da Madeira, enabling the implementation of an optimised predictive dispatch algorithm for the daily operation of the island’s electricity system. Regarding ATE, he independently and skilfully developed the front ends for the HeatPowerOpt tool – for optimised management of multi-energy industrial networks – and FleetChargeXpert – aimed at smart charging management of electric vehicle fleets. Both tools were recently presented at the ATE event (Super Bock Arena). His contribution has been essential to the success and impact of said projects.”
– CPES coordinators
The CPES coordinators mentioned your contributions to the i-STENTORE and ATE projects. Could you tell us a bit more about these projects and your role in them?
i-STENTORE was a challenging project involving the integration and processing of large volumes of data, aiming to optimise the operation of Madeira’s power grid. I designed a robust data pipeline that allowed the daily feeding of predictive dispatch algorithms. As to the ATE project, I worked on developing innovative software solutions, specifically the front ends for the HeatPowerOpt and FleetChargeXpert tools, focused on intelligent energy management in industrial environments and the optimisation of EV fleet charging. Throughout both projects, I worked closely with multidisciplinary teams, which required constant coordination, learning, and adaptation – something that greatly improved the process. In fact, this last point was the most challenging, and the one that made me grow the most: working with teams from different areas of expertise is not only difficult but also crucial to my professional career. The uncertainty of the challenge, combined with the impact, made the project both interesting and stimulating.
Given that the projects were presented at the ATE event (Super Bock Arena), how do you evaluate the presentation and the results of i-STENTORE and ATE?
The event was very positive – both for showcasing the developed solutions and for the involvement of various partners and stakeholders. The validation and interest shown proved that the results achieved in the i-STENTORE and ATE projects meet real and complex needs, ensuring impact among users and the wider community. In other words, the ambitious goals we set out were successfully achieved, thanks to everyone’s commitment and collaboration. (also, I absolutely love coffee breaks and food/drinks; in that sense, I really enjoyed the event and would love to attend more like it.)
Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I particularly enjoy the challenge of working with multidisciplinary teams, where different perspectives and skills come together to solve complex problems. It’s incredibly rewarding to see ideas transformed into concrete solutions, especially in projects where the path isn’t always clear from the outset; but the results make all the effort worthwhile.
How do you comment on this nomination?
This nomination is a collective recognition that reflects the work of the entire team and the collaborative environment in which these projects were developed. I’m grateful for the trust and the learning opportunities I’ve had along the way. I may be the person nominated – and I’m very happy, obviously – but I feel like I represent a group of teams and I’m only here thanks to their support.
Filipe B. Teixeira
“We would like to nominate researcher Filipe Borges Teixeira for due to his exceptional contribution to organising the SLICES-RI/CONVERGE Summer School and INESC TEC’s participation in the EuCNC & 6G Summit. Filipe played a key role in preparing the Summer School, jointly organised by the CONVERGE and SLICES-RI projects, handling all logistics and operations: from budgeting, bookings, and communication with participants to preparing promotional materials, certificates, and registrations. The three-day school featured three keynotes, four hands-on sessions, and over ten talks, with more than 70 participants – marking an important moment of international visibility for the Centre. Filipe also played a pivotal role in coordinating INESC TEC’s presence at the EuCNC & 6G Summit, leading the demo preparation and all related logistics. His dedication, professionalism, and the impact of these actions should be acknowledged.”
– CTM coordinators
You played an important role in organising the SLICES-RI/CONVERGE Summer School; could you tell us more about this initiative and your work on it? What would you like to highlight (relevance, differentiating factors, feedback received, potential for future editions)?
The Summer School was an initiative by SLICES-RI and CONVERGE focused on “Accelerating Innovation through Open Architectures and Advanced Testbeds,” aiming to provide participants with hands-on experience in developing and testing next-generation (6G) networks. The event brought together 70 participants from various countries, with three keynotes, four practical sessions, and over 10 talks across three days.
This event helped build a community of researchers capable of running experiments on research infrastructures based on O-RAN and leveraging tools such as intelligent reflective surfaces and computer vision. The training also promoted the use of experimentation and data management methodologies in distributed infrastructures, supporting efforts to standardise next-generation networks.
Organising such events involved a multinational team; my contribution focused on the technical programme, budgeting, and all logistical aspects, including registrations, payments, travel arrangements, speaker participation, promotional materials, social media, social events, and daily participant updates. The support of various services was crucial to making this possible.
The feedback was excellent, especially on the high-quality technical programme, hands-on sessions, and networking opportunities. I believe this School significantly strengthened the European 6G research community, and we see great potential for repeating and expanding the initiative in future editions.
This event was co-organised with the CONVERGE project; could you tell us about this project and your role in it?
The CONVERGE project, led by INESC TEC, aims to bring together two traditionally separate fields: wireless communications and computer vision, with the goal of developing next-generation 6G networks. Through the “view-to-communicate and communicate-to-view” concept, CONVERGE is developing innovative tools combining radio, vision, and AI – including digital twins and smart surfaces – to implement Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC). These tools will be part of a research infrastructure being established in Portugal (Porto), France (Sophia-Antipolis), and Finland (Oulu). I’ve played a comprehensive role in this project, leading tasks related to system architecture, setting up the infrastructure in Porto, coordinating several working groups, and managing internal and external project communication.
You were also involved in the EuCNC & 6G Summit, coordinating INESC TEC’s participation. What can you tell us about the event and the Institute’s role?
The EuCNC & 6G Summit is a leading international conference in telecommunications, with strong European project representation. In 2025, the CONVERGE project, coordinated by INESC TEC, was featured in the exhibition with an Extended Reality (XR) visualisation of invisible 5G/6G radio signals. Using digital twins and immersive interfaces, conference attendees in Poland could remotely control lab equipment – including a robotic arm, a radio unit, an RF-blocking curtain, and a large intelligent surface (LIS) – in real time. This interactive setup enabled exploration of wireless environments and supported the development of next-gen mobile communications. Additionally, the project featured in four conference workshops, further strengthening INESC TEC’s presence.
Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy knowing that our work at INESC TEC has a real impact on science and society and contributes to advancing knowledge. It’s also very motivating to know that people value our work internationally, granting us that “extra” motivation to continue our mission.
How do you comment on this nomination?
I’m very proud to receive this nomination; I’d like to thank the CTM coordinators for the recognition. The success of both activities was only possible due to team efforts – starting with the Summer School co-organisers Luís Pessoa, Manuel Ricardo, and the international team – as well as the support from SGI (venue logistics), CF (registration and budgeting), SCOM (coverage), Renata Rodrigues and Joana Tavares, key to logistics processes. The EuCNC & 6G Summit demo was also a joint effort with the INESC TEC team – Francisco Ribeiro, Francisco Vilarinho, Nuno Paulino, Paulo Jesus, Thiago Gonçalves, and Wagner Pedrosa – to whom I extend my sincere thanks, especially during the later stages of the event.
Paulo Santos
“CRAS would like to nominate Paulo Lopes dos Santos for his outstanding performance in organising the joint ROCOND/LPVS conference, held at the beginning of July. Paulo took on the role of General Chair and played a decisive role in the success of the event, leading the process from the initial application to IFAC, submitted more than two years ago. Throughout this time, he was responsible for coordinating the scientific and logistical preparation of the conference, successfully attracting several internationally renowned experts in the field of Control and ensuring the event’s quality and prestige. During the conference itself, Paulo was involved in all operational aspects: he welcomed participants, attended sessions, coordinated interactions with invited speakers, and consistently maintained a professional, attentive and approachable demeanour. Participant feedback was extremely positive, highlighting both the quality of the organisation and the welcoming atmosphere. His efforts and dedication not only far exceeded his usual responsibilities but clearly helped raise the profile of INESC TEC and CRAS internationally.”
– CRAS coordinators
You were involved in organising the joint ROCOND/LPVS conference as General Chair. Could you tell us a bit more about this initiative?
ROCOND and LPVS are events sponsored by the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC). ROCOND (Robust Control Symposium) is promoted by IFAC’s Technical Committee on Robust Control and has been held every three years since 1994 in various countries. It serves as a platform to discuss advancements in robust control, bringing together professionals, researchers, engineers, and students to explore the latest theoretical developments and industrial applications. LPVS (Workshop on Linear Parameter Varying Systems), promoted by IFAC’s Technical Committee on Linear Systems Control, has had several editions in renowned cities worldwide. It focuses on LPV systems and their application to real-world problems, promoting knowledge exchange, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.
The range of topics and applications – healthcare, biology, energy, process control, mobile robotics (land, aerial and underwater), autonomous vehicles, aerospace and terrestrial industries – enabled us to gather in Porto over 100 researchers from 19 countries, from both academia and industry. Participants included representatives from prestigious universities such as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, UC Merced, Northeastern University, Clemson University, University of Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania State University, as well as top European universities (TU Delft, Politecnico di Milano, University of Sheffield, TU Dresden). Technological and industrial companies like Renault Group, Deimos Engenharia/Elecnor Deimos, Deimos Space, and international organisations such as the European Space Agency (ESA) were also present, along with other research centres and companies.
Due to the complementarity of the topics, we decided to merge the two events into a single conference. We began preparing the proposal three years ago, and it was submitted and approved by IFAC’s Technical Committee on Robust Control two years ago, during the IFAC World Congress in Yokohama, Japan.
It was a privilege to coordinate this proposal and the entire event preparation alongside my long-time colleague Teresa Perdicoúlis (UTAD, ISR Coimbra, and INESC TEC) and the CRAS team – especially the outstanding contributions of Nuno Cruz, Bruno Ferreira, and Sílvia Pina – as well as the support of Betina Neves. We also had support from Professor Fernando Fontes (FEUP, SYSTEC) and his research group, and from the INESC TEC Board of Directors, particularly Aníbal Matos and José Manuel Mendonça. This collaboration and team spirit were fundamental to the success of the initiative.
I’d also like to highlight the support from INESC TEC’s services, especially the meticulous and efficient work of Beatriz Ferreira in accounting, and the excellent contribution of Cristiana Barros in terms of communications and design, who was responsible for developing the conference’s visual and decorative elements, which greatly improved the event’s image.
Now that the event has concluded, what is your overall assessment? How relevant was it for your field and for INESC TEC?
The outcome was extremely positive. The conference fully achieved the objective of creating an international space of excellence for scientific discussion, knowledge exchange, and strengthening collaborations. We received highly positive feedback from participants, not only regarding the quality of the scientific programme and organisation but also for the warm and welcoming atmosphere. One especially appreciated aspect was the networking facilitated by the conference’s social programme – particularly the dinner at WOW/World of Wine, which offered a unique setting for socialising, sharing experiences, and informal networking among participants from various countries and sectors.
The chosen venue (Colégio de Nossa Senhora de Lourdes) was also key to the event’s success. Located in the city centre and close to many hotels, it offered easy access and great comfort to all attendees. The venue hosted the event with outstanding technical support, impeccable cleanliness, and extremely pleasant indoor gardens, which turned out to be perfect spaces for socialising and relaxing between sessions.
These factors – scientific, social, and logistical – were fundamental in deepening relationships, forming new partnerships, and sparking ideas for joint projects. It was a unique opportunity to bring world-leading researchers in Control to Portugal and promote the work being done at INESC TEC, FEUP, and among our national partners. The event reinforced INESC TEC’s position as an international centre of excellence and opened doors to new collaborations and opportunities for young researchers.
Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I especially enjoy the challenge of being actively involved in scientific projects and being part of a motivated and dynamic team. I feel fulfilled at CRAS (FEUP), where we have a highly committed team – from the scientific staff to the administrative support – which allows me to contribute to the development of younger researchers and to making a positive impact on society through research. Without this environment and, above all, without the direct contribution of the key people who accompanied me in organising the conference, the success we achieved would not have been possible.
How do you comment on this nomination?
I feel very grateful and humble. I perceive it not only as personal recognition, but above all as an acknowledgement of the collective work of an extraordinary team, without whom none of this would have been possible. I am proud of being part of INESC TEC, CRAS, and the FEUP community, where we are constantly challenged to push boundaries and innovate. This recognition further strengthens my motivation to continue contributing – together with all my colleagues – to scientific excellence and to the positive impact of our research on society.
Rita Cardoso
“In recent times, Rita has taken on a wide variety of tasks with a high degree of professionalism and dedication, demonstrating remarkable organisational skills, a strong sense of responsibility, and proactivity. She particularly stands out for her exemplary supervision of a significant number of curricular and summer interns, ensuring not only their effective integration but also the quality of the training process. In this context, and in recognition of her consistent and exceptional contribution, I propose her nomination as ‘Incredible’.”
– HR coordination
“The Student Office for Research would like to nominate Rita Cardoso for her outstanding contribution to the implementation of the INESC TEC Summer Internship Programme in 2025. In addition to her usual responsibilities in Human Resources, Rita played a key role in executing this highly complex and increasingly large-scale initiative within the institution. This year, the programme involved 125 interns and over 50 supervisors. Her dedication, proactivity and attention to detail were crucial to the programme’s success at every stage: from the initial planning and rules review, to managing and screening over 250 applications, and finally to onboarding and welcoming the selected interns. She stood out for her effective coordination with various research centres and stakeholders, ensuring clear, empathetic, and efficient communication with applicants, supervisors and internal services. Her role as liaison with the GABEI (Student Office for Research) was exemplary, showing a level of commitment well beyond her formal role. Her availability – including work outside normal hours – was vital in ensuring the programme was executed in a fast and excellent manner. Since its pilot phase (30 internships), the initiative has grown significantly. For the way she embraced this strategic challenge for the institution, Rita undoubtedly deserves this recognition.”
– Student Office for Research
You’ve been involved in promoting curricular and summer internships at the institution. Could you tell us more about your role in organising these initiatives?
The INESC TEC internship programme is an initiative from the Student Office for Research aimed at strengthening the connection between our institution and the academia community. We are currently running the third edition of the INESC TEC Summer Internships, involving around 125 students and 50 supervisors across 78 internship topics. As with previous editions, I’ve had the privilege of helping design and implement the entire programme. This has given me a comprehensive perspective and allowed me to make daily improvements in terms of efficiency and quickness, while engaging with all the stakeholders. It’s been an excellent opportunity for learning and professional growth.
Which aspects would you highlight regarding these internships – their relevance, scope, lessons learned, things to improve, etc.?
I believe these internships are an excellent initiative by INESC TEC; they provide students a first experience in the field of R&D, help deepen the knowledge they’ve gained during their academic training, and encourage them to reflect on their professional future. The biggest challenge of this initiative is making our institution appealing to the new generation of students. In recent years, there’s been a significant shift in how younger generations perceive work. We’re seeing an increasing emphasis on work-life balance, flexibility, and having purpose in one’s work – a shift deeply connected to technological evolution.
This new generation, now entering both academia and the workforce, has grown up in a “digital environment”, giving them a more global and critical perspective on the role of work in their lives. Understanding these changes and meeting expectations – particularly between generations – is quite essential.
As you also perform other HR-related activities at the institution, how would you describe a typical workday at INESC TEC? What challenges do you face across your various responsibilities?
I’m involved in a wide range of tasks across various topics, which means my days at INESC TEC are very full and demanding. I’ve been working in areas such as hiring and selection, onboarding and integration of new employees, occupational health and safety, and compensation and benefits. I also serve on the Technical Committee for Social Responsibility. My biggest challenge right now is to manage all these tasks in a way that is agile and effective, but also empathetic and people-centred.
Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
This month, I complete eight years since I joined INESC TEC. Over this time, I’ve had the chance to take on a variety of challenges. It’s been very rewarding to witness the institution’s growth and to benefit from excellent opportunities for learning and development. In the Human Resources Service, we work primarily with people – their expectations, doubts, and frustrations – and it’s incredibly fulfilling to feel that we can genuinely contribute to their well-being and help them feel welcome. I believe workplaces should promote well-being, and as a member of the HR Service, I’m fortunate to be able to help create conditions that support both physical and psychological health.
How do you comment on this nomination?
I’m grateful for this nomination and the trust placed in me by both the Human Resources Service and the Student Office for Research. I’d also like to extend my thanks to my HR colleagues and to Sara Brandão from GABEI. I truly have exceptional colleagues, and it’s a privilege to share my daily work with them – a heartfelt “thank you” to all of you.
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