Catarina Marques and Marta Vranas

Catarina Marques

“Over the past months – particularly in September – Catarina Marques has carried out an exceptional job coordinating proposals for European project calls. This task enabled the Centre to work more collaboratively and be significantly more productive in preparing proposals. Equally remarkable is that she managed this coordination duties without slowing down the ongoing project tasks, particularly in a complex project like Nexus. For these reasons, we have no hesitation in nominating Catarina.”

– CESE coordinators

You were involved in coordinating proposals for various European project calls. Could you tell us a bit more about this process? And, if possible, about the content of the applications?

Over the past months, CESE has engaged in an intense joint effort to prepare several applications for European programmes. This process culminated in September with the submission of multiple proposals, but it began much earlier with a detailed analysis of the calls, identification of those that met the Centre’s strategic areas, and the allocation of teams to explore opportunities within their networks. Preparing and submitting these projects requires a huge effort, not only in terms of writing the proposal, but also in the preliminary phase of opportunity identification – which involves constantly monitoring the European Commission’s agenda and anticipating future priorities.

In general, the applications I have been directly involved in meet some of the Centre’s main research lines, particularly the green and digital transition in various industrial contexts. They mainly involve developing intelligent decision-support solutions that integrate AI, optimisation, simulation, and traceability tools. The aim is to increase operational flexibility and efficiency while promoting circular economy strategies along the value chains.

Your role in the Nexus project was also highlighted; what can you tell us about this initiative (key differentiating aspects, main objectives, results so far, etc.)?

NEXUS is a PRR Agenda that brings together a consortium of partners dedicated to green and digital transition in port logistics and multimodal networks. CESE has played a very active role in this initiative, participating in three PPSs – particularly in the development of decision-support tools based on optimisation, simulation, and digital twin models applied to port management and multimodal logistics chains.

The project is particularly challenging due to the complexity and diversity of the decision-making problems it addresses – not only within the port itself but especially concerning interfaces with the sea and hinterland (i.e., the land connections linking the port to the surrounding logistics network). Moreover, the port ecosystem (with multiple entities operating over shared infrastructures) requires a careful and collaborative approach to operational planning. I believe this context is precisely one of the factors that makes the project stand out.

Key results to date include a simulation model designed to evaluate Just-in-Time (JIT) strategies for ship arrivals, aiming to optimise port resource use; a set of optimisation approaches to make container handling between port and hinterland more efficient; and the development of a “logistics control tower”, integrating digital twins and LLMs to improve visibility and predictive capability in multimodal supply chains.

How challenging is it to balance these different tasks and responsibilities?

It is very challenging. There is always the feeling that there isn’t enough time for everything. I think the key has been the constant effort to improve time management, which involves not only adjusting priorities but also teamwork and support from colleagues.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy the range of topics and the dynamic nature of CESE’s projects, which often push me out of my comfort zone and allow me to keep learning.

How do you comment on this nomination?

I am very grateful to CESE’s coordinators for this recognition – which I also feel every day, thanks to the trust and opportunities I have been given. I must extend this acknowledgement to all CESE colleagues, who provide an excellent work environment and a culture of mutual support.

Marta Vranas

“I’d like to nominate Marta Vranas; Marta led the application for the EARTO award, which was publicly awarded a few days ago. The successful outcome of this application is largely due to Marta’s ability to gather scarce information, combine it, and communicate it effectively to illustrate the current and potential impact of the KEPSoft solution. This is a direct contribution to the prestige of INESC TEC and Portugal among European innovation leaders.”

– Daniel Vasconcelos, head of the Technology Licensing Office (SAL)

You led the application for the EARTO award – in this case involving the KEPSoft solution. Could you tell us more about the whole process, from inception to the “successful outcome”: reaching the podium in the Impact Expected category?

KEPSoft was one of the first projects I took on when I joined INESC TEC. The journey from the initial strategy definition with partners, through licensing, and later the EARTO award application was demanding but extremely rewarding.

The main challenge was transforming sometimes limited or scattered information into a solid application that reflected the true potential of the solution and the strategic and social impact. Close collaboration with the INESC TEC research team was essential to build this cross-cutting vision of the innovation.

Reaching the top 3 in the Impact Expected category validated not only the submitted proposal but also the transformative relevance of the technology, positioning INESC TEC as an institution capable of purposeful innovation recognised at a European level.

How important are these awards – both generally, for the Institute, and more specifically, for you as a professional and member of the SAL team?

These awards are much more than symbols of prestige. For INESC TEC, they are concrete proof that our innovation model – which combines science, technology, and impact – is recognised at the highest European level.

For those working in science and technology management, they also validate the essential – yet often invisible – work: identifying, protecting, and valorising knowledge. Above all, they motivate us to continue supporting our researchers and promoting the path from ideas to society.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

What I enjoy most is perhaps what brings me closest to scientific research: reflect, question things, and find solutions. After more than a decade of laboratory work, I am now excited to contribute to taking science beyond the lab, and witnessing it materialise in the real world.

At SAL, this work is especially challenging because every case requires a customised approach, and no solution is identical to the previous one. Technology transfer pushes us to build bridges, design strategies, and translate complex ideas into actionable value. We learn at every step – with every technology, partner, and sector we interact with – and this constant learning is what motivates me the most.

How do you comment on this nomination?

Working in innovation requires collaboration, and this nomination shows just that: it is the result of joint work between researchers, managers, and partners, focused on valuing knowledge.

As a member of the SAL team, I perceive this nomination as a sign of trust, and an added responsibility: to continue supporting INESC TEC’s innovation ecosystem with thoroughness and enthusiasm.

Personally, it is extremely rewarding to know that this type of work is acknowledged. Knowing that a long and demanding process, when well executed and well communicated, can lead to such a positive outcome is undoubtedly motivating and inspires me to keep doing more and perform even better.