fbpx

EEUM students receive UMinho Initiation in Scientific Research Award

The presentation of the projects of the candidates for the UMinho Initiation in Scientific Research Award took place on December 5 at UMinho’s Gualtar campus, with the participation of the School of Engineering’s research centers, 2C2T, ALGORITMI, CEB, CMEMS and CTAC.

Thirty undergraduate and first-year integrated master’s students have developed their scientific projects in recent months, involved in teams of recognized merit at UMinho, and presented their results at the event. There were three parallel sessions, which were opened by the Pro-Rector for Scientific Projects and Research Management, Sandra Paiva.

Among the topics to be addressed were, for example, the search for new phenomena in physics, the production of nanotissue with bacteria, a geotourism portfolio for the north of the country, a memory video game for seniors, the effects of body attractiveness, neoliberal feminism, leadership practices in schools, more humane judicial sentences and the political under-representation of young people. Other topics included microplastics in agricultural soils, epidemiological models, the role of youth organizations and estimates of extreme phenomena.

At 5.30 p.m., there was a lecture by the director of Conduril Engenharia, Nélson Sousa. The winners of the fifth edition of the UMinho Prize for Initiation in Scientific Research were announced at 5.45pm, and the closing session was led by the Rector, Rui Vieira de Castro, and the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Eugénio Campos Ferreira.

This annual initiative, promoted by the Rectorate in conjunction with the Research Centres, aims to enable UMinho’s 1st cycle students to get involved in real research contexts, work in teams that deal with new and relevant knowledge, have the supervision of recognized scientists and also deepen their interest in science. The award includes a certificate and a cash prize of 500 euros.

Eighteen students won prizes in this edition, including EEUM students:

– Marta Ribeiro, with the project “Epidemiological models to study the spread of information in the digital age”, from ALGORITMI;

– Sofia Sousa, with the project “Valorization of fluorescent lamp glass in mortars: a sustainable contribution to the circular economy”, from the CTAC center;

– Fernanda Gonçalves, with the project “Production and functionalization of a non-woven nanofabric produced by bacteria: reinforcement, flame retardant and anti-viral properties” from 2C2T;

– Marco Costa, with the project “Characterization of miniaturized GNSS antennas in an anechoic chamber”, from CMEMS;

– Sílvia Gonçalves, with the project “Comparative study of virulence factors of vaginal isolates of Candida species”, from CEB.

The School of Engineering congratulates the winners and wishes them every success in their academic lives.

SOURCE: UMINHO