INESC TEC researchers honoured by FEUP

At the latest annual awards ceremony, the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) recognised outstanding academic paths and significant contributions to society, honouring alumni, researchers and PhD graduates across different fields of engineering – with several of those associated with INESC TEC.

As part of the recognition granted to the new PhD graduates of 2025, a total of seven students associated with the Institute were honoured, all of them having completed their work with cum laude, an academic classification awarded to those who graduate with outstanding performance.

Four of them continue to collaborate with INESC TEC: Pedro Leite, Tânia Melo, Paulo Santos and Francisco Fernandes, working respectively in the areas of marine robotics, bioengineering, photonics and energy. Three others – Sofia Pereira, Masoud Golalikhani and Alexandre Clément – are no longer affiliated with the Institute but carried out their research while they were members of INESC TEC.

The Fundação Eng. António de Almeida award, another institutional distinction, was presented to Rafael Marques Claro, an INESC TEC researcher in the field of robotics, for his thesis Robust Perception System for Autonomous Precise Landing of UAVs in Offshore Wind Farms, defended in July 2024. Developed within the scope of the European ATLANTIS project, the thesis (which also received a cum laude distinction) focused on developing innovative solutions to increase the autonomy, safety and efficiency of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in demanding maritime environments, focusing on the inspection of offshore wind farms. In addition to leading to the first autonomous operation carried out at a commercial offshore wind farm, the work also led to the filing of three patents. Established in 1969, this award aims to promote and support educational, cultural and charitable initiatives, annually awarding the best PhD theses presented in different programmes at universities across Portugal.

Among the honours presented, Jorge Vasconcelos, Executive Board Member of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and member of INESC TEC’s Business Advisory Board, received the Carreira FEUP award, which honours alumni whose professional trajectory stands out for impact, innovation and contribution to society. This recognition marks a significant milestone in the fields of engineering and energy policy in Portugal and across Europe.

These and other distinctions were presented on 16 April, at FEUP, during the Conferment Ceremony 2026 – Doctoral Awards & Career Award, an annual event that honours PhD graduates from the 2024/2025 academic year, those who obtained the academic title of Agregado in 2025, and those marking 25 years since completing their PhD at FEUP.

In addition to those mentioned above, the institutional Professor Joaquim Sarmento and Professor Paulo Pinho awards were also presented.

Photo credits: FEUP