Tiago Gonçalves (CTM)

Tiago Gonçalves (CTM)

“The CTM coordinators would like to nominate the researcher Tiago Gonçalves. Tiago has proven to be highly professional and motivated researcher in all the activities in which he has collaborated – together with the development of his PhD work. In the various activities in which he is involved, Tiago always demonstrates a unique level of maturity and quality; we’d like to highlight his participation in the organisation of scientific events and internal CTM activities, as well as in the monitoring of interns and master’s students, while supporting research projects. During the month of April, and within the scope of the CINDERELLA project – at a stage where the project is moving towards the beginning of the clinical trial -, the quality of the work carried out by Tiago was particularly important, both in the execution of the various technical tasks associated with the project and in the interaction with clinical partners, crucial o the current phase of the project, where Tiago plays a vital role”.

– CTM coordinators

You’re involved in the CINDERELLA project, which is currently moving towards the beginning of the clinical trial. What kind of work does the project involve? Could you tell us anything about the clinical trial?

INESC TEC is one of the technological partners of the project. Our work focuses mainly on the development of technologies and applications that aim to facilitate the work of the clinical community, in terms of monitoring and services provided to patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Currently, and thanks to timely diagnosis and current treatment techniques, the survival rate of patients is high. Therefore, it is important to think about the aesthetic results of the treatments and how they will have an impact on the quality of life of these patients. In this sense, the idea of this project is to understand whether technology can support the work of the clinical community in the context of explaining and disseminating information and help patients make more informed and wise decisions. We are developing Artificial Intelligence technologies that will help patients understand the impact of a certain type of surgery and/or treatment and its aesthetic results on their bodies. For the clinical community, it turns out to be another tool that can contribute to increase the efficiency of their work. Ideally, this is a win-win situation.

The project features clinical partners; what’s the importance of involving representatives of this sector in the development of projects like CINDERELLA?

The involvement of clinical partners in a research project focused on the development of health technologies is the archetype of research for anyone who dedicates their work to finding solutions to the challenges that are part of the daily life of the clinical community. Hence, involving this community in discussions, understanding the associated problems and, in a co-creation approach, developing solutions that are appropriate to their needs, is of utmost importance; it will contribute to the successful development of the technologies, as well as to their adoption by the clinical community – and, ideally, to their transfer to the market, thus leading, in my opinion, to a greater and more positive impact on Society.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

From a very personal perspective, there are essentially two things that keep me fascinated and motivated to carry out research. First, the wide range of unanswered questions and all the scientific challenges associated with them, which allow us to maintain our continuous search for answers and develop our creativity towards creating smart solutions to solve them, on a daily basis. Second, the possibility of interacting with very different people, from different scientific training and socioeconomic and cultural contexts, making us leave our comfort zones and the realities we know; we can also expand our horizons and have a more informed perception of the World (and Society) in which we live.

How do you comment on this nomination?

First of all, I would like to thank the CTM Coordinators for the recognition and appreciation of the work developed, which culminated in this nomination; I truly hope I can keep developing projects and activities that meet the expectations of the Centre, while maintaining equal or better quality standards. Secondly, and although it is an individual acknowledgement, I believe that this nomination is only possible thanks to the incredible people with whom I have the privilege of interacting and collaborating; therefore, I’d like to leave a word of appreciation and esteem for the people who supervise and guide my work, for the people with whom I develop work and activities, and for the people who have trusted me to guide and supervise their first or master’s degree works: this nomination is also yours. Thank you.