Largo do Prof. Abel Salazar, 4050-202, Porto
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Professor Sir John Hardy is the Chair of Molecular Biology of Neurological Disease at the UCL Institute of Neurology. John was appointed as Alzheimer’s Research UK’s second Vice President in 2024, in recognition of his longstanding support for the charity and his outstanding contribution to dementia research. In 1991, John discovered the first mutation directly linked to Alzheimer's disease. This led to his research group developing the ‘Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis’ and him being the first researcher to identify the role of the amyloid protein in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, a prevailing theory of how the disease is caused. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to science, John was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2009. In 2022, he was awarded a Knighthood in New Year’s honours in recognition of his contributions to human health and dementia research. To date, John has over 23,000 citations to his research.
Paulo Fontoura is a distinguished neurologist and internationally recognised leader in translational neuroscience and drug development. During 20 years in biopharma, he has had multiple senior leadership roles at Roche/Genentech and is currently Chief Medical Officer at Xaira Therapeutics, an AI-native company dedicated to solving the major challenges in drug R&D. Over his career, he has contributed to the development of over 60 new molecular entities, including 7 FDA/EMA approval medicines. He is a board member and advisor to several biotechnology companies, and a visiting professor at the European Center of Pharmaceutical Medicine and at NOVA Medical School.
Fernando de Castro is CSIC’s Investigador Científico and PI of the Myelin Dynamics & Repair lab (Centro de Neurociencias Cajal-CSIC, Spanish Research Council). M.D. by the Universidad Complutense (1991) and PhD by Neuroscience Program of the Universidad de Alicante (1996), he has been working since then in the development of the CNS and since 1998 in oligodendrogliogenesis and myelination. Since 2010, his group has published significant works on the physiopathology of demyelination and is focused on preclinical development to promote spontaneous (re)myelination to treat Multiple Sclerosis and leukodystrophies. He also has a relevant trajectory studying the History of Neuroscience.
Maria João Saraiva is a neuroscientist whose work has been central to the development of molecular and cellular neuroscience at the University of Porto. She served as Director of the Molecular Neurobiology Group at the Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC) and, since 2015, also at i3S, where she led pioneering research on transthyretin biology, amyloidosis, and neurodegeneration, establishing her research group as a national and international reference in these fields. A long-standing leader in the Portuguese neuroscience community, she played key roles in the evolution of the IBMC Neurosciences Division, including coordinating the Basic and Clinical Neurobiology Division and directing the Amyloid Unit, helping shape research strategy and talent development. She was also vice-director of IBMC. Over her career, Maria João Saraiva has received major national and international scientific distinctions—including the Gulbenkian Prize in Science and the national Medal for Merit in Science—and remains one of the most influential researchers in amyloid diseases and neurobiology in Portugal.
Mónica Sousa is a leading neuroscientist and Principal Investigator at the Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S) of the University of Porto, where she heads the Nerve Regeneration Group. She also serves as Director of the Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), one of the founding institutes of i3S. Her research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate axon growth, degeneration, and regeneration. Her team made a landmark discovery by demonstrating that the spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) is the first known mammal capable of spontaneous spinal cord regeneration, a finding that reshaped scientific understanding of central nervous system repair and opened new therapeutic possibilities for spinal injury. In 2025, Mónica Sousa was awarded a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant to support her research on the regenerative mechanisms of the spiny mouse. Mónica Sousa’s scientific contributions have significantly advanced the field of neuroregeneration.
Porto Cancer Meeting & Ipatimup
Manuel Sobrinho Simões, Director of Ipatimup, PT
Porto Cancer Meeting & i3S
Cláudio Sunkel, Director of i3S, PT
The Preventable project - a real-world data opportunity
Carla Oliveira, Chair of the Porto Cancer Meeting & PREVENTABLE Coordinator
Teresa Firmino is Science Editor at the Portuguese newspaper Público. She graduated in Social Communication from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa in 1992 and has worked at Público covering science ever since. In 2008–2009, she studied science journalism in the United States through the Knight Science Journalism Fellowships at MIT. Since 2012, she has been the editor of Público’s Science section. She has co-authored several books on science and everyday curiosity and received the Ciência Viva Montepio Media Prize in 2017 for her contributions to science communication.
Nicoline Hoogerbrugge is a Professor in Hereditary Cancer at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Since 2017, she has chaired the European Reference Network on Genetic Tumour Risk Syndromes (ERN GENTURIS), a European initiative that supports patient care, education, guideline development, and research in hereditary cancer. She has also led the multidisciplinary expert centre in hereditary cancer at Radboudumc since 1999. She studied medicine at Erasmus University Rotterdam and specialised in Internal Medicine and Cancer Genetics. She has held academic positions as Associate Professor at Radboud University and Adjunct Professor at Haukeland University in Bergen, Norway. Her research focuses on cancer genetics, particularly on improving the identification, prevention, and treatment of hereditary cancers such as PTEN Hamartoma Tumour Syndrome (PHTS). Her work is closely linked to clinical practice and aims to address the needs of patients. She has served on several international boards and committees, including the board of coordinators of the European Reference Networks in rare diseases and the International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumours (InSiGHT), as well as advisory roles with major European cancer research initiatives.
Alexandre Quintanilha is a biophysicist, academic and former politician. He is an emeritus professor at the University of Porto and a former director of the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology. His scientific work has focused on ageing, oxidative stress and molecular biology, and he has played an important role in promoting science policy and developing research in Portugal. In addition to his academic career, he served as a member of the Portuguese Parliament, where he distinguished himself on issues relating to science, education and public health. Alexandre Quintanilha has received several honours, including the Pessoa Prize (2004), the Grand Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique and the Grand Officer of the Order of Public Instruction, in recognition of his contributions to science, higher education and public life. Alexandre Quintanilha is a biophysicist, academic and former politician. He is an emeritus professor at the University of Porto and a former director of the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology. His scientific work has focused on ageing, oxidative stress and molecular biology, and he has played an important role in promoting science policy and developing research in Portugal. In addition to his academic career, he served as a member of the Portuguese Parliament, where he distinguished himself on issues relating to science, education and public health. Alexandre Quintanilha has received several honours, including the Pessoa Prize (2004), the Grand Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique and the Grand Officer of the Order of Public Instruction, in recognition of his contributions to science, higher education and public life.
Enrique Terol is a Health Counsellor at Spain’s Permanent Representation to the European Union, where he represents Spain’s interests in health policy. He is a medical doctor specialised in Family and Community Medicine, with a Master’s and PhD in Public Health, and training in healthcare management and quality. He has worked in clinical practice and held leadership roles such as Medical Director and CEO in both private and public healthcare institutions, as well as in healthcare planning. From 2004 to 2008, he was Deputy General Director for Quality and Health Planning at Spain’s Ministry of Health, contributing to national strategies on issues including heart disease, diabetes, mental health, rare diseases, and patient safety. Between 2008 and 2011, he served as Health Attaché at Spain’s Permanent Representation to the EU and coordinated the health area during Spain’s EU Presidency. From 2011 to 2020, he worked at the European Commission’s DG SANTE as a Seconded National Expert and Policy Officer, helping to develop and implement the European Reference Networks for complex and rare diseases. He later led a team in the European Commission’s Medical Service (2021–2022). Since 2022, he has again served as Health Counsellor at Spain’s Permanent Representation, coordinating the health area during Spain’s 2023 EU Presidency.
Carla Oliveira is an internationally recognised researcher in hereditary cancer, with a particular focus on E-cadherin/CDH1-related diseases and hereditary gastric cancer. Her work has identified new genetic causes of hereditary gastrointestinal cancers and contributed to improved patient management and targeted therapies.
Her research aims to uncover the missing heritability of hereditary gastric cancer through whole-genome studies and to develop biomarkers for earlier detection and prevention. She is Secretary General of the European Society of Human Genetics, President of the Portuguese Society of Human Genetics, and National Coordinator of the European Reference Network on Genetic Tumour Risk Syndromes (ERN GENTURIS). She currently leads the EU-funded PREVENTABLE project and is actively involved in international research collaborations, scientific committees, and postgraduate training.
Álvaro Santos Almeida is the Executive Director of the Portuguese National Health Service (NHS). An economist by training, he has built his career in health policy, public administration, and academic research. He previously served as Secretary of State for Health and has held leadership roles in healthcare management and planning. Alongside his public service work, he has been involved in teaching and research in health economics and health systems, contributing to debates on healthcare reform, efficiency, and access to care. As Executive Director, he focuses on strengthening the organisation, performance, and sustainability of the NHS.
Tamara Milagre is the president of EVITA – Association for the Support of People with Genetic Mutations Linked to Hereditary Cancer. EVITA's mission is to save lives and improve the quality of life of individuals and families affected by hereditary cancer.
Largo do Dr Tito Fontes 15, 4000-538, Porto
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Paulo Vieira is a Portuguese immunologist and Research Director at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, where he works in the Lymphocyte Development Unit. Born in Lisbon in 1959, he received his MD from the NOVA University Lisbon and later completed his habilitation at Paris Descartes University. His scientific career has included postdoctoral research in leading international laboratories in Germany and the United States, followed by leadership roles at the Gulbenkian Institute for Science in Portugal. He joined Institut Pasteur in the early 2000s, progressing from associate researcher to Research Director in 2015. Vieira has been actively involved in the Portuguese Society for Immunology, serving as General Secretary and later as President. His work focuses on immunology and lymphocyte biology, contributing to the understanding of immune system development and function.
Pedro Moura-Alves is a biochemist and immunology researcher who completed his degree at the University of Beira Interior in 2004 and later joined the GABBA PhD programme at the University of Porto. His doctoral research included training in Boston at Harvard Medical School, followed by work at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular in Lisbon. He subsequently carried out postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Germany. In 2019, he started his independent research group at the University of Oxford in collaboration with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. Since 2022, he has been an independent group leader and ERA Chair holder (ImmunoHub) at the i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health at the University of Porto. His research focuses on host–microbe interactions and immune responses to bacterial infections. He is known for discoveries on how the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) detects bacterial virulence factors and communication signals, helping regulate immune defence and drug metabolism in diseases such as tuberculosis.
Joana Tavares is a researcher in host–parasite interactions and Professor at the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS) of the University of Porto. She obtained her degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a PhD in Biochemistry at the same university, after early research experience in drug discovery against Leishmania at the Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology and the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement in Montpellier. She later carried out postdoctoral research at the Institut Pasteur, studying malaria infection using live imaging models. Since joining the i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, she has pioneered research on Plasmodium and expanded her expertise to other protozoan parasites, including Leishmania and Trypanosoma. Tavares currently coordinates the Host–Parasite Interactions group at i3S, leads research projects funded through competitive grants, and contributes to institutional scientific coordination and ethics bodies. She has co-authored dozens of publications, co-invented patents, and received the L’Oréal UNESCO Medal of Honour for Women in Science Portugal in 2014.
Bruno Silva-Santos is Professor and Director of Immuno-Oncology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, and Group Leader and Vice-Director at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular. He obtained his PhD in Immunology from University College London in 2002, following research training at Cancer Research UK and postdoctoral work at King's College London. He established his own research group in Lisbon in 2006. His research focuses on gamma-delta T cells and their role in tumour recognition and immunotherapy. Supported by major funders including the European Research Council and the la Caixa Foundation, his work has resulted in over 100 publications in leading international journals. In 2019, he was elected a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation in recognition of his scientific achievements. His translational research in cancer immunotherapy has received awards from industry partners and led to the creation of the biotech start-up Lymphact, whose technology has been acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical and is currently under clinical testing.
Margarida Saraiva obtained a degree in Biochemistry in 1997 from Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Portugal. In 2003, she obtained a PhD in Pathology awarded by the University of Cambridge, UK. After 4 years (1999-2002) of research on Poxvirus Immune Evasion, in Antonio Alcami's lab, at Cambridge University (UK), Margarida Saraiva moved to Anne O'Garra's lab, at the MRC-National Institute for Medical Research (London), where she investigated the molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression of Interleukin-10 by immune cells. In 2007, Margarida Saraiva returned to Portugal and joined the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) at Universidade do Minho. Since June 2015, Margarida Saraiva has led the Immune Regulation group at i3S, aiming at investigating the mechanisms underlying the regulation of host-pathogen interactions. Margarida Saraiva served as President of the Portuguese Society for Immunology between 2018 and 2021.
Nuno L. Alves is an immunologist and Group Leader at the i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health of the University of Porto. He graduated in Biology at the University of Porto and obtained his PhD in Immunology at the University of Amsterdam, followed by an European Molecular Biology Organisation postdoctoral fellowship at the Institut Pasteur. Since establishing his research group in Porto, his work has focused on the thymus and the mechanisms that regulate T-cell development and immune tolerance, particularly the differentiation of thymic epithelial cells. He has coordinated several national and international research projects and contributes to scientific peer review and research evaluation. Alongside his research, Alves has been active in teaching immunology and in scientific leadership, including roles as Treasurer and Vice-President of the Portuguese Society of Immunology and vice-scientific coordinator of the Infection, Immunity and Regeneration Research programme at i3S.
Alexandre Quintanilha is a biophysicist, academic and former politician. He is an emeritus professor at the University of Porto and a former director of the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology. His scientific work has focused on ageing, oxidative stress and molecular biology, and he has played an important role in promoting science policy and developing research in Portugal. In addition to his academic career, he served as a member of the Portuguese Parliament, where he distinguished himself on issues relating to science, education and public health. Alexandre Quintanilha has received several honours, including the Pessoa Prize (2004), the Grand Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique and the Grand Officer of the Order of Public Instruction, in recognition of his contributions to science, higher education and public life. Alexandre Quintanilha is a biophysicist, academic and former politician. He is an emeritus professor at the University of Porto and a former director of the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology. His scientific work has focused on ageing, oxidative stress and molecular biology, and he has played an important role in promoting science policy and developing research in Portugal. In addition to his academic career, he served as a member of the Portuguese Parliament, where he distinguished himself on issues relating to science, education and public health. Alexandre Quintanilha has received several honours, including the Pessoa Prize (2004), the Grand Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique and the Grand Officer of the Order of Public Instruction, in recognition of his contributions to science, higher education and public life.
Salomé Pinho received her D.V.M. from the University of Porto in 2004 and developed her PhD research at the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of Univ. Porto (Ipatimup) and at Boston Medical School, MA, USA, from 2006 to 2009. She performed her postdoctoral work at Ipatimup in the glycobiology and disease field. At present, she is a Researcher at i3S and an affiliated Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Porto. Her research activity is focused on the understanding of the role of post-translational modifications by glycosylation in the regulation of key proteins’ functions involved in cancer and in chronic inflammatory conditions, envisioning potential clinical applications. She is the author of several publications in international peer-reviewed journals, including Nature Reviews Cancer, Oncogene and Human Molecular Genetics. She supervises a research team and is the Principal Investigator of several national/international funded projects in the field of cancer and inflammatory diseases. She received the Young Investigator Award from the European Association for Cancer Research and is the inventor of 2 patents.
Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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Claudio Sunkel is Director of the i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health and Professor of Molecular Biology at the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS) of the University of Porto. He also leads the Molecular Genetics Group, focusing on cell division and the mechanisms that maintain genomic stability in higher eukaryotes. Born in Santiago, Chile, he obtained a degree in Biology and a PhD in Genetics from the University of Sussex. After postdoctoral research at Imperial College London, he established his research career in Porto, publishing over 100 peer-reviewed articles and supervising numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Sunkel has held several prominent international leadership roles, including membership of the European Molecular Biology Organisation, Vice-Presidency of the European Molecular Biology Conference and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Council, and Chair of the EMBL Council.
Pedro Conceição is Director of the Human Development Report Office and lead author of the Human Development Report at the United Nations Development Programme since 2019. Previously, he served in several senior roles within the organisation, including Director of Strategic Policy and Chief Economist for the Regional Bureau for Africa. His work focuses on development finance, global public goods, inequality, innovation, and technological change. He has published widely in international academic journals and co-edited books on globalisation, innovation, and inclusive development, including volumes published by Oxford University Press. Before joining the UN, he was an Assistant Professor at the Instituto Superior Técnico of the University of Lisbon. He holds degrees in Physics and Economics and a PhD in Public Policy from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied as a Fulbright scholar.
Fernando Alexandre has been Portugal’s Minister of Education, Science and Innovation since 2024, serving in the XXIV Constitutional Government. He holds a PhD in Economics from Birkbeck, University of London and is Professor at the University of Minho, where he previously served as Pro-Rector, Director of the School of Economics and Management, and Head of the Department of Economics. He served as Secretary of State in the Portuguese Government (2013–2015), as well as Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council. His research focuses on macroeconomics, financial markets, and the development of the Portuguese economy. Author or co-author of several books and numerous academic publications, he has also worked as a consultant for public and private institutions, including the European Commission. In 2022, he received the Scientific Merit Award from the University of Minho.
Maria Carmo-Fonseca is a professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon. She co-founded the Institute of Molecular Medicine (iMM), a biomedical research institute affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, of which she is currently President. She was a visiting professor at the Harvard Medical School (2011-2013). She is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation, the Portuguese Academy of Sciences, the Portuguese Academy of Medicine, and the Academia Europaea, having served as President of the RNA Society (2021-2022). She is a scientific editor of the Journal of Cell Science and the journal RNA. Carmo-Fonseca has received several prestigious national scientific awards and serves on numerous national and international advisory committees. Carmo-Fonseca's research focuses on RNA biology. She is the author of over 170 research articles, with more than 12,000 citations.
António Sousa Pereira is a medical doctor, Full Professor, and the current Rector of the University of Porto. He graduated in Medicine from the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), where he also completed his PhD in Medical Sciences and habilitation in Anatomy. A Professor of Human Anatomy and Neuroanatomy, he previously served as Director of ICBAS, as well as Head of the Department of Anatomy, President of the Pedagogical Council, and President of the School’s Governing Board. His research has focused on morphological changes associated with environmental stress. More recently, he has worked on health quality assessment systems, acting as a consultant to the Health Regulatory Authority and contributing to the development of SINAS, the National Health Assessment System.
Praça General Humberto Delgado, 4049-001 Porto
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Ana Paula Pêgo is a researcher in biomaterials and nanomedicine and Group Leader at the i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health of the University of Porto. She obtained her PhD in Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials from the University of Twente and later became Principal Investigator at INEB, now integrated into i3S, where she leads the nanoBiomaterials for Targeted Therapies (nBTT) group. Her research focuses on developing nanomedicine and biomaterial strategies to promote nervous tissue regeneration, including new polymers for nucleic acid delivery, nerve grafts for spinal cord injury, and engineered brain tissue platforms. She also contributes to discussions on the societal and ethical dimensions of regenerative medicine and nanomedicine. Pêgo is Scientific Director of the Bioimaging Centre for Biomaterials and Regenerative Therapies and Invited Associate Professor at the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar. She is currently a member of the i3S Board of Directors, President of the European Society for Biomaterials, Associate Editor of Biomaterials, and part of the Board of Reviewing Editors of Science.
Bento Machado Aires is a Civil Engineer and President of the Order of Engineers – Northern Region. He is a visiting lecturer at Porto Business School, where he coordinates and teaches executive programmes in the field of property management. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Urban Regeneration from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, and also has a postgraduate qualification in Project Management from Porto Business School. Throughout his professional career, he has held roles as project manager, communications director and operations director in organisations linked to engineering, property investment and infrastructure management. At the same time, he has maintained strong links with professional associations and institutional activities in the engineering sector, participating in national and international initiatives dedicated to the promotion and development of the profession.
Fernando Jorge Monteiro holds a bachelor’s and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from FEUP, and taught in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the same faculty for over 47 years. A full professor since 1995, he served on the faculty’s governing body (2010–2014) and directed several bachelor’s, master’s and integrated master’s programmes in the fields of Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. Alongside his teaching career, which he left in 2023, Fernando Jorge Monteiro served as president of the National Institute of Biomedical Engineering (INEB) and was a member of the management team at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) at the University of Porto between 2015 and 2020, the year in which he took up his role as a member of the University of Porto’s General Council (2020–2023). As a researcher at these institutions, he distinguished himself in the development of new biomaterials for applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. He also developed nanophasic theranostic systems for use in early detection and nanotherapies for certain types of cancer.
Nuno Neves is an Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in spine disorders and Coordinator of the Orthopaedics Service and Spine Unit at the Hospital CUF Porto. He is also Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto and researcher at the i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health. He completed his medical degree and PhD in Medicine at the University of Porto and has undertaken specialised training in spine pathology in centres such as the Rothman Institute and Paris hospitals. His clinical and research work focuses on spine surgery, bone repair and regeneration, and the development of biomaterials for orthopaedic applications. Author or co-author of more than 70 scientific publications, he has supervised postgraduate students, contributed to professional training in orthopaedics and spine surgery, and served as examiner for the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, as well as Editor-in-Chief of the Revista Portuguesa de Ortopedia e Traumatologia.
António Conceição is the president of Portugal AVC – Union of Survivors, Relatives and Friends. He is a stroke survivor who dedicates his efforts to supporting other patients and promoting post-stroke rehabilitation, having founded this association to help those going through this experience.
João Miguel Branco Silva is Neuromodulation Lead at Medtronic Portugal, with a background in Biomedical Engineering. His career spans the medical device industry, including experience in IT consultancy at Novabase and in innovation and operational excellence at Siemens Healthineers, where he contributed to process optimisation, risk assessment, and R&D project management certification. Since joining Medtronic in 2011, he has led territory and team management while working closely with clinicians, hospital management, and healthcare decision-makers, supporting therapy adoption and the integration of innovative technologies into clinical practice. He holds an Executive Master in Health Services Management, with a focus on Value-Based Healthcare.
Rui Martins da Silva is a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, with a particular focus on sports medicine and the care of elite athletes. He is currently a member of the Health Department at Futebol Clube do Porto, where he works with both the professional and youth teams, whilst also serving as Clinical Director of the Portuguese Padel Federation. He began his professional career as a physiotherapist, having worked with professional clubs and national and international teams, an experience that contributed to an integrated approach to the prevention, diagnosis and rehabilitation of injuries in a sporting context. Throughout his medical training, he undertook sports medicine placements at internationally renowned institutions and developed specialist training in the fields of football medicine and sports imaging, establishing a clinical practice focused on performance, functional recovery and a safe return to competition.
Paulo Pereira is a Portuguese neurosurgeon specialising in spine surgery, Director of the Neurosurgery Department at University Hospital São João, and Invited Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto. He is President of the Ibero-Latin American Spine Society (SILACO), Past President of the World Spinal Column Society, and Secretary, member of the Executive Board and of the Presidential Line of EUROSPINE.
Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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The seminar-recital Rhythms of the Body was created in 2025 by the van Crorie duo at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP). It was subsequently presented as a public performance in Portugal and in France. During the session, the relationships between heart rate and musical rhythm, as well as between the respiratory cycle and meter, are analysed. The influence of rhythm and tonality on emotion is also explored.
Bruce Mc Crorie (voice) trained as a philosopher and practised as a tennis instructor for two decades. He is now a singer, DJ, and music producer, based in Porto, Portugal.
Willem van Meurs (double bass) trained as an electrical engineer and is now an invited full professor at FMUP. He is a former INEB investigator and the inventor of several patient simulators for training healthcare personnel. He is based in Lahitte-Toupière, France.
The Multidisciplinary Improvisation Ensemble, an initiative by musicians and researchers from the Higher School of Music and Performing Arts [ESMAE], aims to explore musicality through technological interaction combined with musical visual inputs via collaboration with video art. The ensemble’s musicians, technicians and visual artists respond intuitively to the dynamic interplay of sound and visuals, creating spontaneous compositions that evolve in real time. This focus on improvisation ensures that each performance is a unique and unrepeatable journey, fostering a sense of immediacy and connection with the audience. The aim is to transcend the traditional concert format, offering the audience an innovative and immersive experience that stimulates both the auditory and visual senses.
Ensemble/ Consort
Marco Conceição, ESMAE, Sonic Electronics
Carlos Azevedo, ESMAE, Piano
Paulo Perfeito, ESMAE, Trombone
Pedro Santos, ESMAE, Visuals
Guest
Horácio Tomé-Marques, ESMAD, Visuals
ESMAE/ CESEM/ CEIS20
ESMAD/ ID+
Largo do Prof. Abel Salazar, 4050-202, Porto
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Luísa Pereira has been a researcher since 2004 and has led the Genetic Diversity group since 2006. She is a population geneticist whose work focuses on characterising global diversity with the aim of inferring the evolution of the human species and assessing the influence of ancestry on susceptibility to and resistance against complex diseases, particularly cancer and dengue fever. She is internationally recognised for her research on the phylogeography of mitochondrial DNA, particularly in Europe, Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. She has led several national and international projects and is a co-author of over 80 articles published in international journals, with an h-index of 28. Luísa Pereira is also the coordinator of the Cancer Research Program at i3S.
Michèle Ramsay is a professor in the Division of Human Genetics at the National Health Laboratory Service and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg. Her research interests include the genetic basis and molecular epidemiology of single-gene disorders in South African populations and the role of genetic and epigenetic variation in the molecular aetiology of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and other diseases exacerbated by adverse lifestyle choices. Ramsay’s current research collaborations include studies on obesity, hypertension, bone development, HIV related kidney disease and glaucoma in South African populations. She is interim director of the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (Wits University), which focuses on a molecular understanding of non-communicable diseases in African populations; joint PI for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded training project entitled “Wits Non-Communicable Disease Research Leadership Program”; joint PI of the first phase of the “Southern African Human Genome Programme”; chair of the Southern African Society for Human Genetics; chair of the Wits Bioinformatics Steering Group; joint champion of a cross-faculty Research Thrust, “Molecular Biosciences: Health for Africa”; and joint editor and author of a textbook, “Molecular Medicine for Clinicians” (Wits University Press, 2009).
A pharmacist with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Lisbon and a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Glasgow, João Lavinha began his career at the Dr. Ricardo Jorge National Institute of Health. In 1983, he joined the Center for Human Genetics, now the Department of Human Genetics, where he held various positions, serving as coordinator of the Molecular Biology Laboratory from 1993 to 2000. Between 2000 and 2004, he served as director of the Ricardo Jorge Institute, subsequently leading the Center for Human Genetics, and since 2008, coordinating the department’s Research and Development Unit. Throughout his career, he has published over a hundred scientific articles in international journals and was awarded the Ministry of Health’s Gold Medal for Distinguished Service in 2017. His scientific interests focus on population-based screening for genetic diseases, prenatal diagnosis, and the molecular biology and epidemiology of rare genetic diseases, particularly hemoglobinopathies, coagulopathies, and cystic fibrosis. He has also conducted research in the areas of sexual development pathology, the genetics of disease susceptibility, genetic variation in Portuguese-speaking populations, genomics in public health, and the analysis of the interface between environment and health.
