On the Bank of a Black Hole: where Knowledge Converges

27 June 2025 | Mariano Gago Auditorium, i3S, Porto

Science is an evolving dialogue that connects generations and disciplines, uniting astrophysics, artificial intelligence, medical diagnostics and therapeutics in the pursuit of the unknown. This symposium explores how fundamental research—from black holes to AI-driven diagnostics — fuels technological breakthroughs, leading to more precise healthcare solutions and reshaping our understanding of the universe, the human body, and society.

With the participation of renowned experts Professor Vítor Cardoso (IST, astrophysics), Dr. Maria do Bom Sucesso (Hospital de São João, pediatric oncology), and Professor Jaime Cardoso (FEUP, artificial intelligence), the event fosters a discussion on how pure knowledge drives scientific and technological innovation.

Flow cytometry, alongside AI and other advanced technologies, plays a key role in bridging fundamental science with improved diagnostics and healthcare. The organizers, specialists in this field, will highlight its impact in linking basic research to medical applications. Researchers from i3S and technology experts will moderate the discussions, reinforcing the need for collaboration between scientific discovery and technological progress.

"Scientific activity (...). There is knowledge (so much!) that will only be revealed centuries from now. It is not a race, nor even a competition. It is a conversation between us, all of us." – Vítor Cardoso, The Eclipse of Time

Poster >>

Emília Cardoso
Catarina Meireles
José Carlos Machado

09h00 - 09h15 Open Session
Catarina Meireles (i3S) and José Carlos Machado (i3S)

09h15 - 10h00 "Black Holes: The Frontier of Knowledge"
Speaker: Vítor Cardoso (IST)
Chair: Hélder Maiato (i3S)

10h00 - 10:45 "AI and Science: Do We Really Understand What We Discover?"
Speaker: Jaime Cardoso (FEUP)
Chair: Paulo Aguiar (i3S)

10h45 - 11h00 – Coffee Break sponsored by Enzifarma

11h00 - 11h45 "Precision Oncology in the Era of Data and Technology”
Speaker: Maria do Bom Sucesso (CHUSJ)
Chair: Delfim Duarte (i3S)

11h45 - 12h00 "Flow Cytometry: Between Research and Diagnosis"
Speaker: Emília Cardoso (i3S)

12h00 - 12h45 Round Table: "Science, Technology, and Diagnosis: What Does the Future Hold for Us?"
Participants: All session speakers and chairs
Moderation: Event organizers

Professor Vítor Cardoso

Professor of Physics at Instituto Superior Técnico and at the Niels Bohr Institute, he is renowned for his contributions to theoretical physics, particularly in gravitation and astrophysics. He received the ULisboa Award and the Sant'Iago de Espada presidential title for his exceptional work in the field.

Professor Jaime S. Cardoso

Full Professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto and senior researcher at INESC TEC, specializing in computer vision and machine learning. Recognized by Stanford University as one of the top 2% scientists in the world in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing.

Dr. Maria do Bom-Sucesso

Director of the Pediatric Oncology Department at São João University Hospital; founder and coordinator of the Multidisciplinary Group on Vascular Anomalies and the health care provider representative in the European networks VASCERN and PaedCan. In the context of raising awareness for pediatric oncology, she has led several initiatives involving patients, families, and civil society.

Registration is free, but mandatory until 21^st of May.

Registration form >>

More information:
Events Management Unit | Rua Alfredo Allen 208 | 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Email: events@i3s.up.pt | Tel: +351 226 074 900