Grasiela Almeida (CESE), Ana Pereira (AJ), Henrique Rocha (CTM) and Guilherme Braga (SAL)

Grasiela Almeida (CESE)

“This nomination is not associated with a single project, but rather with the versatility, excellence and dedication that Grasiela demonstrates on a daily basis. An example is the implementation of the new iiLab, with Grasiela involved in the purchase processes that go far beyond the bureaucratic load, through the search and presentation of differentiating solutions, the organisation of project events, budgetary control in the monitoring of invoicing and specialisations, among many other processes (trips, requests, etc.). Grasiela’s path of improvement at CESE has been unique, by taking on new challenges, roles, and responsibilities – always with a very positive, collaborative and self-improving attitude. Finally, Grasiela makes a difference at CESE for the excellence and professionalism demonstrated while performing her (many) tasks. The friendship and dedication to all CESE members and the team spirit are unique, and Grasiela is a role-model thanks to her positive attitude”.

– CESE coordinators

What do you find most challenging in your work supporting R&D activities?

There is a clear challenge related to managing multiple requests and the diverse fields of activity. But the most interesting challenge is being able to anticipate issues, while contributing with bold ideas and seeking the best solutions, for exceptional results. That’s what we do every day and that’s what we’re doing at iiLAB.

How do you describe your day-to-day activities?

I’d like to invite you to listen to “Bohemian Rapsody” by Queen. It starts with a soothing harmony, a sense of (apparent) calm, but suddenly it becomes an opera crescendo, “exploding” into an energetic hard-rock, then flowing into an intense guitar solo and ending in a slow and harmonic ballad. The days at INESC TEC are like this. But let me tell you a secret: if it weren’t so, it wouldn’t be funny at all (let’s keep this between us)

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

To make a difference in the lives of my co-workers, and to be able to be creative while I do it.

How do you comment on this nomination?

I am very grateful for the words of encouragement and trust, which inspire me to explore new projects and face challenges with boldness and a willingness to learn and improve. And this is only possible with the support of an incredible team!

Ana Pereira (AJ)

“In January, Ana Margarida took on the legal coordination of three European projects, led by INESC TEC, in an excellent way, managing to reconcile different legal frameworks and find solutions for the different interests at stake. At a time when the Legal Support team is particularly small, this task has become even more demanding given the need to settle the multiple requests and deal with other accumulated responsibilities – for instance, the vicissitudes resulting from the various PRR initiatives in which the institution participates. Her commitment and the way she advocates for INESC TEC rights, as well as her team spirit, should be praised and duly acknowledged”.

– Legal Support Service coordination

You were involved in the legal coordination of three European projects. Can you tell us a little bit more about the work you have done?

The legal coordination of a European project encompasses the drafting of a consortium contract which is then sent to the partners, so they can provide their feedback. The work consists essentially of managing the various requests made, and trying to come up with a document that settles all the points addressed to us. All of this within projects that can have 10, 20 or even 30 partners, all with certain peculiarities and different requests.

What are the biggest challenges associated with legal work in the areas of science and technology?

In my opinion, the biggest challenge of being a legal expert involved in technology projects is the difficulties that Law itself has in keeping up with the advances in science. On a more practical level, I would say that the biggest challenge, even if only initially, is to adapt the way of thinking about law and our responsibilities as legal experts to an environment that is, by nature, much more flexible than usual.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

The complete absence of monotony. As a legal expert, it’s easy to get trapped in routines, since every day we witness the same problems, the same contracts, the same subjects. Fortunately, at INESC TEC, the subjects are so diverse (and sometimes peculiar) that we always have something new to study. Even the analysis of usual subjects could require a new outlook.

How do you comment on this nomination?

I’d like to thank the coordinators of the Legal Support Service. This process was not simple and free of mishaps, and I was very lucky to rely on a team that, despite being small, was always willing to help.

Henrique Rocha (CTM)

“The CTM coordinators would like to nominate the researcher Henrique José Rocha. In addition to his duties as a CTM research grant holder and a master’s student, Henrique developed of a coffee capsule dispenser system for the Centre, an engineering project in which he demonstrated boldness, dedication, and an extraordinary capacity for execution. After accepting our challenge and meeting the defined requirements, Henrique proposed an architecture consisting of new hardware and software modules. The solution was later successfully implemented by Henrique and is now available as a product to all CTM members, with many people resorting to it. This nomination focuses on the project’s quality and speed of execution, with the result having an immediate impact on the working conditions that INESC TEC, and CTM, provide to its employees”.

– CTM coordinators

What type of work are you developing in your master’s degree?

For my dissertation plan, I’m developing an anechoic chamber to characterise antennas in the near-field.

In addition to your research work, you developed a coffee capsule dispenser system; could you tell us how it works and what it does exactly?

Thanks to this system, the members of CTM can enjoy two coffees (offered by the Centre) for a period of 24 hours. The dispenser includes three independent columns, on which different varieties of coffee (as well as tea or decaf) can be placed. Each column was developed to hold a maximum of 13 Nespresso capsules. To get a capsule, the person selects the column with the desired product (using the buttons on the front) and presents the ID card to validate the selection. To confirm said selection, the person must press the left button of the dispenser.

I’m also developing a web interface, so that CTM members can also enjoy their coffee without their ID card. The hardware control is performed by software running on an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, which communicates with a server that features the operation support database, via Wi-Fi. The system was developed following a client-server architecture to be more flexible in terms of stock management, name editing, etc., but also to enable the addition of more dispensers.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

On the one hand, the good work environment and, on the other hand, the possibility of developing new products and technologies.

How do you comment on this nomination?

I am grateful for this nomination, since it acknowledges the work I developed while providing additional motivation.

Guilherme Braga (SAL)

“I would like to nominate Guilherme Braga, due to his accountability and commitment to the team over the past three years – since now he’s embarking on a new endeavour in terms of IP and technology, in Norway. Guilherme joined INESC TEC as a post-doc researcher at C-BER, and he later decided to embrace the challenge of working in technology transfer. Guilherme’s attitude was always remarkable: he was always by my side as a manager and later as the head of SAL (2020), a period of significant changes to the department – even managing to coordinate SAL by himself during my parental leave. He’s been responsible for managing the portfolio of INESC TEC Energy and Sea technologies, enabling significant progress in the mapping of new technologies and patent/licensing applications. I’d also like to highlight Guilherme’s support in terms of public contracting”.

– Head of the Technology Licensing Office (SAL)

Why did you decide to embrace the challenge of working in technology transfer?

It was an opportunity to combine my vision and my knowledge about technologies from a researcher’s point of view, while exploring a new career path, which allowed me to work directly in the protection and transfer of INESC TEC technologies – without ever disregarding my research work. I also wanted to reinvent myself after 15 years as a researcher, by exploring an area related to business and acquiring new knowledge, which is always interesting and motivating.

You were in charge of the portfolio of INESC TEC Energy and Sea technologies. Can you talk about your duties and the main challenges associated with them?

In a simple way, my work focused on three dimensions: prospection, protection and commercialisation. The first step is identifying the results/knowledge stemming from projects in the fields of Energy and the Sea (internal prospection), before valuing/commercialising those that benefit from intelectual property rights.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

There are many aspect of my job I appreciate; I’d like to highlight the possibility of getting to know innovative, state-of-the-art solutions, and to transfer knowledge to society. I should also emphasise the contact with different researchers, the dynamics of SAL duties, and INESC TEC work environment – as well as the environment among the members of the SAL team.

How do you comment on this nomination?

I’m very happy, yet quite surprised by it – I wasn’t expecting it. In my opinion, it’s an incredible way to acknowledge my work and to conclude my path, after almost five years at INESC TEC.