Biology Day 2026

Place

Edifício C3, Ciências ULisboa

Events•14 October, 2026, 14:00 - 17:30

Celebration of the 1st Anniversary of the Department of Biology and Biology Day

The Department of Biology of Ciências celebrates its first anniversary on 14 October 2026, marking the occasion alongside Biology Day.

Knowledge of biology, which is evolving rapidly, has led to a growing capacity to modify and create the most diverse forms of life and their ecosystems, calling into question the very definition and perception of nature. In this context, a debate is proposed with artistic creation, in which nature emerges as the subject of the artwork, being portrayed and (re)imagined within it.

How has the profound alteration of the natural landscape been reflected in artistic creation?
How does artistic activity contribute to our perception of an evolving world largely shaped by advances in scientific and technological knowledge?

This panel discussion explores the synergies between Art and Biology, addressing perspectives from different fields of Biology, such as Neuroscience, Biotechnology, Bioethics and Ecology, with a view to fostering an interdisciplinary dialogue on the relationships between science, art and society.

Programme

4h00 | Reception
14h10 | Welcome from the President of the Department of Biology, José Pedro Granadeiro
14h15 | Introductory notes from the Faculty Dean, Conceição Freitas
14h20 | Presentation by the President of the Order of Biologists and a former student of CIÊNCIAS (Biology), Maria de Jesus Silva Fernandes, on the topic "The future role of biologists in society"
14h35 | Talk with the visual artist Alexandre Estrela (a graduate in Painting and holder of a PhD from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon and a Master’s degree in Fine Art from the School of Visual Arts (New York). Visual artist selected to represent Portugal at the Venice Biennale in 2026)
15h00-16h30 | Panel discussion "Synergies between art and biology: the perception of nature"
- Moderator: Marta Moita (former student of CIÊNCIAS - Biology - and a researcher at the Champalimaud Foundation in the field of behavioural neuroscience)
- Participants:
  - Alexandre Estrela
  - Bruno Miranda (Neurologist, Professor and Researcher at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon)
  - Pedro Fevereiro (Biotechnologist, former student and Professor of CIÊNCIAS - Biology - and member of the National Council of Ethics for the Life Sciences)
  - Vanda Brotas (Ecologist and writer, former student and Professor of CIÊNCIAS - Biology)
  - Vitor Sousa (Researcher in the field of Evolution, former student of the Gulbenkian Institute of Science, Professor of CIÊNCIAS - Biology)
16h45 | "Painting Biology" workshop, led by José Paula (Marine Biologist, Photographer and Professor of CIÊNCIAS - Biology) and João Catarino (Illustrator and Professor of Drawing at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon)
17h15 | Commemorative cake for the first anniversary of the Department of Biology of CIÊNCIAS

The Biology Day will feature the following guest speakers:

Maria de Jesus Silva Fernandes

President of the Order of Biologists and a former student of CIÊNCIAS (Biology)

Alexandre Estrela

Visual artist, graduate in Painting and holder of a PhD from the Faculty of Fine Arts of ULisboa and a Master’s degree in Fine Art from the School of Visual Arts (New York)