The Faculty of Sciences brings knowledge and innovation to the ULisboa Scientific Conference 2026

The Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon took part in the ULisboa Scientific Conference 2026, which took place on 16 June at the Pavilhão de Portugal, under the theme “Scientific Cooperation in a Changing World”.

The posters session "Cooperation Case Studies I" was moderated by Nuno Araújo, President of the Faculty’s Scientific Council and a member of the Conference’s Organising Committee, providing an opportunity for scientific exchange and debate across different disciplines.

Catarina Frazão Santos and Ana Reboleira, researchers at the Faculty of Sciences, presented their work, highlighting the diversity and quality of the research carried out at the institution.

Among the Faculty’s contributions, Ricardo Dias’s presentation at the session ‘Partnerships in Action: examples of cooperation with impact’ stood out, during which he presented the iXLab project – Innovation for Biological Resilience. Co-ordinated by the Faculty of Sciences of ULisboa and the Portuguese Army, iXLab is a multi-sector civil-military platform dedicated to research, development and innovation for the detection, identification, quantification and mitigation of biological risks.

Presented as an example of scientific cooperation with impact, the project has been consolidating the first cross-sectoral network in biological security, involving academia, industry, end-users and policy-makers from various regions of the world. Based on the One Health Security approach, it promotes the development of knowledge and dual-use solutions to strengthen biological resilience and respond to cross-border global threats.

Collaborative PhD programmes link universities with external organisations, training PhD students in real-world contexts where research and practice intersect. These programmes promote innovation and social impact, although they present challenges such as scientific autonomy, striking a balance between partners, and ensuring fair conditions for all those involved.

The debate ‘Collaborative PhD Programmes: what models, what stakeholders, what values?’, moderated by Cristina Branquinho, Professor at Ciências ULisboa, was one of the highlights of the session, prompting an in-depth reflection on the role of these programmes in fostering links between academia and external organisations.

If there is one thing this discussion made clear, it is that collaborative PhD programmes only work when we manage to balance three forces: robust models, aligned stakeholders and values that do not yield to pressure. The challenge is great, but the potential is even greater: to train PhD students capable of navigating two worlds without compromising either scientific rigour or impact. It is this balance — demanding, yet transformative — that we must continue to build together.

Cristina Branquinho emphasises that “PhD programmes are like symbiotic relationships: everyone must benefit, but the University must ensure the scientific rigour, autonomy and systemic and critical thinking essential for solving society’s complex problems. This can only be achieved through a high degree of interdisciplinarity and extensive dialogue amongst stakeholders”.

The panel entitled “Research and Innovation by PhD Students: collaborative science” featured PhD student Beatriz Ribeiro, who demonstrated the power of a collaborative project involving the Ciências ULisboa, the La Mayora Institute of Subtropical and Mediterranean Horticulture, and the company Frutas Classe, in a project aimed at developing strawberry varieties that are thought to be resistant to powdery mildew, using gene-editing techniques to ensure their sustainable production.

This was followed by the 3MT ULisboa/FLAD 2026 Awards Ceremony, with first prize being awarded to João Sequeira, a student at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, for his research into snake venom.

It was already late in the day when the hall filled up for the ULisboa/Caixa Geral de Depósitos Scientific Awards 2026 Ceremony. Luís Campos Ribeiro was honoured in the field of History and Philosophy of Science. For the researcher, “it is very gratifying to have the research I have been carrying out recognised. Over the last few years, I have been studying the history of cosmology and astronomy, and the practices that stem from these two disciplines. I believe I have contributed significant knowledge to this area of research. These awards are very important because they recognise the work carried out by researchers at the University of Lisbon, and they are also very important because they encourage further research efforts.”

Seven Honourable Mentions were also awarded to researchers from the Faculty of Sciences: Andreia Figueiredo, Catarina Frazão Santos, Carlos Farinha, Raquel Conceição, Tiago Guerreiro, Nuno Galamba and Diana Prata.

For Cecília Rodrigues, Vice-Rector of the University, the Faculty of Sciences’ involvement “demonstrates the importance of collaboration between scientific disciplines and partner institutions, reinforcing the University of Lisbon’s role in promoting collaborative projects that address specific societal challenges and bring research closer to its practical applications”.