The UMinho Scientific Research Initiation Award Ceremony 2025 took place on the afternoon of 24 October in Auditorium B1 (Building 2) on the Gualtar campus in Braga. The opening ceremony was attended by the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Sandra Paiva, and the Vice-Rector for Education and Academic Mobility, Hernâni Gerós.
Over the last few months, three dozen undergraduate and early-year integrated master’s students have been developing their scientific projects as part of teams of recognised merit at UMinho and presented their results from 2.30 p.m. onwards. Three parallel sessions took place in nearby spaces, namely in auditoriums B1 and B2 and in room 1.16.
Among the topics discussed were, for example, love in the 21st century, well-being in higher education, senior mental health, and neuroprotection in Parkinson’s disease. Microplastics in bivalves, seismic models, the discursive construction of stereotypes, the growth of populism, cybercrime, and sustainable automation in architecture were other topics listed.
Miguel Pinto was the guest speaker
At 5:30 p.m., there was a lecture by Miguel Pinto, Director-General of Continental Advanced Antenna, President of the Portuguese Automotive Industry Association (Mobinov) and Vice-President of the Portuguese Business Association, on the value of research from a business perspective.
Next, the winners of the sixth edition of the UMinho Award for Initiation into Scientific Research were announced: Armando Ribeiro (degree in Education); Diogo Ferreira (Environmental Sciences); Diogo Rodrigues (Physical Engineering); Emmanuela Villar (Data Science); Gabriela Oliveira (Biochemistry); Inês Silva (Industrial Engineering and Management); Ívan Sousa (Economics); João Oliveira (Architecture); Leandro Freitas (Physics); Manuel Pereira (Law); Marcela Hossu (Nursing); Margarida Ramos (Education – Post-work); Mariana Pereira (Law); Mariana Oliveira (Environmental Sciences); Miguel Vilaça (Chemical and Biological Engineering); Rui Gonçalves (Aerospace Engineering); Sara Freitas (Textile Engineering); and Sara Costa (Psychology).
The closing session was led by Vice-Rectors Sandra Paiva and Hernâni Gerós.
This annual initiative, promoted by the Rector’s Office in conjunction with the Research Centres, aims to enable UMinho 1st cycle students to get involved in real research contexts, work in teams dealing with new and relevant knowledge, be supervised by renowned scientists, and further their interest in science. The prize includes a certificate and a cash award of €500.
More info: RUM
News report: YouTube
Source: UMinho
Photos: SASUM
