Venue

The meeting will be held at i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde.
Rua Alfredo Allen, 208; 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Tel: +351 226 074 900 | GPS coordinates: 41º 10’ 30.008’’ N, 8º 36’ 12.488’’ W.

Organization

Organizing Committee:
Daniela Pereira de Vasconcelos | i3S – Universidade do Porto
Archit Navandar | Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Daniela Sousa | i3S – Universidade do Porto
Ana Mendes | i3S – Universidade do Porto
Catarina Leite Pereira | i3S – Universidade do Porto
Andreia Pereira | i3S – Universidade do Porto
Inês Gonçalves | i3S – Universidade do Porto
Victoria Leiro | i3S – Universidade do Porto
Mariana B. Oliveira | CICECO – Universidade de Aveiro

Scientific Committee:
Ana Mendes | Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Portugal
Andreia Pereira | Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Portugal
Ángel Serrano-Aroca | Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Spain
Archit Navandar | Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
Cátia Lopes | Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Spain
Clara García-Astrain | POLYMAT – Basque Centre for Macromolecular Design and Engineering, Spain
Conrado Aparicio | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya & Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Spain
Cristina Jiménez | Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Daniel Rodríguez Rius | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain
Deniz Atila | CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Diego Velasco Bayón | Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain
Enrique Navarro | Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
Estrela Neto | Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Portugal
Gil Serrancolí Masferrer | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain
Gonzalo Garrido López | Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
Inês Gonçalves | Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Portugal
Javier Gil Mur | Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Spain
Javier Rueda Ojeda | Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
João Mano | CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Portugal
João Paulo Vilas-Boas | Faculty of Sport, University of Porto (FADEUP), Portugal
José Priego Quesada | Universitat de València, Spain
Juan García López | Universidad de León, Spain
Luis M. Rodríguez Lorenzo | Institute of Ceramics and Glass, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
Marco Araújo | Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Portugal
Maria Concepción Serrano | Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM-CSIC), Spain
Marina Gil Calvo | Universidad de León, Spain
Marta Pegueroles | Barcelona East School of Engineering (EEBE), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain
Nieves Cubo Mateo | Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain

Program

Link to download the program >>

Speakers

Ana Paula Pêgo

Ana Paula Pêgo is Vice-Rector of the University of Porto for Research and Knowledge Valorisation, Professor at the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), and Group Leader of the nanoBiomaterials for Targeted Therapies (nBTT) research group at i3S. She obtained her PhD in Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials from the University of Twente, the Netherlands, in 2002 and joined INEB, Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, in 2003. At i3S, she leads research focused on the development of biomaterials and nanomedicine-based approaches for nervous tissue repair and regeneration. Her work combines biomaterials science, nanotechnology, and neuroscience, with interests that include targeted delivery systems, nerve regeneration strategies, and tissue-engineered platforms for studying disease and developing new therapies. She is also engaged in the societal and ethical challenges associated with emerging technologies in Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine. Ana Paula Pêgo has received several distinctions for her scientific contributions, including the Santa Casa Neurociências Award. Alongside her research activities, she is strongly committed to education, mentorship, and the training of future scientists and bioengineers, having supervised more than 100 students and early-career researchers across all levels of academic training. Internationally, she serves on the Council of the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB) as Past President and is an Associate Editor of Biomaterials (Elsevier), one of the leading journals in the field.

Ana Ribeiro

Ana Ribeiro has a graduation in Materials Engineering from the University of Minho, an MSc in Processing and Materials Characterization obtained at the same university and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering obtained from the University of Porto. She has broad international postdoctoral and teaching experience in the field of nanotoxicology, bioengineering, and biomaterials (Instituto Nacional de Metrologia Qualidade e Tecnologia, Brazil; University of Illinois Chicago, US; Universidade do Grande Rio, Brazil; Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India). In 2018 she joined the Nanosafety group at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory as a staff researcher working on organ-on-chip, nanotoxicology and cell communication. Her research focuses on developing bioengineered organ-on-chip platforms (e.g., skin) for the nanomaterials risk assessment. In summary, her experience in research ranges from biomaterials, surface modification and degradation to biomimetics, advanced cell culture models for nanotoxicology, and diagnostic biomarkers for bone diseases. During her academic path, she has developed novel technologies combining advanced tissue engineering approaches with nanotoxicology. Her innovative findings have been well accepted within the scientific community, with translatable societal, clinical, and industrial impact, resulting in numerous highly relevant top-tier publications and excellence awards. She has > 80 contributions to conferences (> 20 invited), 41 peer-reviewed publications (h-index=25 GoS), and three book chapters.

Andreia T. Pereira

Andreia Trindade Pereira is a junior researcher at i3S in Porto, Portugal, specializing in biomaterials and biomedical innovation. She completed her PhD in 2020 in the GABBA program (University of Porto, in collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna). Working at the interface of polymer chemistry, nanomaterials, and bioengineering, she develops polymer–nanomaterial systems for medical devices and evaluates their biological performance, with emphasis on biocompatibility, bioelectrical interfaces, and device integration. Since 2021, she has established and leads a research line on energy-harvesting systems for biomedical use - powering smart medical devices and enabling electrostimulation therapies - from materials selection to device engineering and biological validation. Her experience spans collaborations across national and international laboratories. Beyond research, she serves as a Young Editor (MedMat) and journal referee, participates in evaluation panels and advisory boards, mentors students, and advances technology transfer as an inventor and project lead. Her contributions have been recognized with the Maria de Sousa Prize, the L’Oréal Portugal Honor Medal for Women in Science, and the Julia Polak Award.

Giuseppe Battaglia

Giuseppe (Beppe) has been an ICREA Professor at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia(IBEC) since 2019, where he founded and leads the Molecular Bionics Group, which blends chemistry, physics, and engineering to advance nanomedicine. He is also a visiting professor at UCL and Sichuan University. As the founder of Vianautis Bio Ltd, he aims to develop genetic nanomedicines. Previously, he held a personal chair at UCL from 2013 to 2022 and in Sheffield from 2011 to 2013. His accolades include the Human Frontier Science Award, five ERC Grants, EPSRC Fellowships, the McBain Medal, and multiple fellowships with the Royal Societies of Chemistry and Biology. He has received the GSK Emerging Scientist Award, the Jingswa Friendship Award, and the Anhui 100 Talent Award. According to Stanford University, he has made significant contributions to materials science, polymer physics, and bioengineering and is now among the world’s top 2% of scientists, according to Stanford University.

João Mano

João F. Mano is a Full Professor of Biotechnology at the Chemistry Department of University of Aveiro, Portugal. He combines advanced biomaterials and cells towards multidisciplinary concepts in the field of regenerative and personalized medicine. Specifically, he utilizes biomimetic and nano/micro-technology approaches to develop polymer-based biomaterials for the creation of biomedical devices with enhanced structural and multi-functional properties. He also engineers microenvironments to regulate cell behavior and organization, with the goal of clinically applying these technologies in advanced therapies or in the bioengineering of disease models. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Materials Today Bio (Elsevier). He has been coordinating multiple research projects, including 2 Advanced Grants, 1 Synergy Grant, and 3 Proof-of-Concept Grants from the European Research Council.

João Paulo Vilas-Boas

João Paulo Vilas-Boas is a Full Professor of Biomechanics at the Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto (FADEUP), where he earned his undergraduate degree, PhD, and habilitation in Sport Sciences. He is the founder and director of the Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP) and serves as the president of the International Council for Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming. He is also the former vice-president of the Portuguese Olympic Committee and the Portuguese Swimming Federation. Alongside his extensive scientific output in biomechanics and sport sciences, he is distinguished by his active academic supervision and leadership in multidisciplinary research projects.

Manuel Salmeron Sanchez

Manuel is ICREA Research Professor at Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC). Manuel is a bioengineer working on advanced biomaterials for cell and tissue engineering, to develop in vitro models and as tools for mechanobiology. His group engineer materials to provide control of the local cellular microenvironment, both biochemically and biophysically. Manuel holds an ERC AdG to develop the next generation of viscoelastic materials to understand this important property of the extracellular matrix in the context of tissue regeneration. Manuel was Professor of Applied Physics in Valencia until his relocation to Glasgow in 2013 as Chair of Biomedical Engineering. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s National Academy for Arts and Sciences.

Nieves Cubo Mateo

Nieves Cubo Mateo es graduada en Ingeniería Electrónica Industrial y Automática por la UC3M, con máster en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales por la misma. Pionera en el campo de la impresión tisular 3D, desarrolló una impresora de bajo coste para la generación de tejidos humanos que puedan ser implantados posteriormente, como apoyo a la medicina regenerativa. Fue la primera persona en hacer piel humana funcional con una máquina de impresión 3D, a partir de células y materiales humanos. Actualmente trabaja como investigadora en modelos de cáncer en el Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), en el Instituto de Tecnologías Físicas y de la Información (ITEFI).

Paulo Freitas

P.P. Freitas got his “Licenciatura” in physics from the U Porto in 1981, followed by a PhD in physics from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh in 1986. After a postdoctoral appointment at IBM T.J.Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, in 1988 he joined INESC where he created the Solid State Technology Group, later INESC Microsystems and Nanotechnologies, and in 1990 joined IST-Lisbon, where he is presently full professor of Physics. From 2008 till Feb 2024 he was Deputy Director General of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory. Research activity focusses on nanotechnologies and spintronics and aplications in sensing, health and smart farming. He has authored/co-authored over 500 research articles, several patents, and advised about 20 PhD students. He is also active in the technology transfer and innovation arenas, fostering collaborations between RTOs and companies.

Pedro Morouço

Pedro Morouço is an Associate Professor with Habilitation at the University of Leiria and Oeste, Portugal, with a scientific background in biomechanics, human movement and exercise science. His research has focused on the biomechanical and physiological determinants of human performance, with particular interest in the assessment of human function, rehabilitation, exercise prescription and the integration of emerging technologies into health and sport. He has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications, coordinated and participated in national and international research projects, and has extensive experience in higher education, scientific leadership and knowledge translation. He currently also serves as Director of the Portuguese National Programme for the Promotion of Physical Activity at the Directorate-General of Health.

Raul Arellano

Professor Raúl Arellano Colomina is Full Professor at the University of Granada (Spain) and Director of the Aquatics Lab, where he leads research in swimming biomechanics, hydrodynamics, performance analysis, and advanced technologies for aquatic locomotion. A pioneering figure in swimming science and the first Full Professor in Spain specifically appointed in this field, he has dedicated more than four decades to advancing the understanding of swimming performance through biomechanical and hydrodynamic analysis. His work spans propulsion, stroke mechanics, starts and turns, underwater swimming, and competition analysis, resulting in an extensive scientific output and the supervision of 14 PhD students. He has also collaborated closely with the Spanish National Swimming Team as a biomechanist and performance analyst. More recently, his research has focused on integrating biomechanics with computer vision, artificial intelligence, and deep learning, leading the SWIM III project (2023–2027) and developing intelligent systems for automated swimming analysis and human movement understanding in aquatic environments.

Renato Andrade

Renato Andrade is the Director of the Research Department at Clínica Espregueira – FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in Porto, Portugal. His research focuses on research methodology and meta-research, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, orthopaedics, sports medicine, and rehabilitation. He has authored over 200 publications (>5,000 citations and h-index=33). He served as Associate Editor of the British Journal of Sports Medicine from 2017 to 2020 and continues to be an active peer reviewer for leading orthopaedics and sports medicine journals. He was listed in the “Top 2% Scientists” Elsevier/Stanford list for the year of 2025.

Rúben F. Pereira

Rúben F. Pereira is an Assistant Professor of Biomaterials and Bioengineering at ICBAS, University of Porto, and Leader of the Cell–Matrix Bioengineering Group at i3S. His group engineers dynamic, extracellular matrix (ECM)-inspired biomaterials to uncover and control how mechanical and biochemical signals regulate cell–matrix communication in tissue regeneration and fibroinflammatory diseases.

Rui B. Ruben

Rui B. Ruben holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico (1999), a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Lisbon (2003), and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, also from the Technical University of Lisbon, awarded in January 2009. Since 2002, he has served in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the School of Technology and Management (ESTG) of the University of Leiria and Oeste (formerly the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria until August 2026), where he currently holds the position of Associate Professor. He is an integrated researcher at the Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRSP) and a collaborating member of the Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics (LAETA). His research activities have focused on Computational Biomechanics. Rui Ruben was awarded the Professor João Martins Young Researcher Award 2011 by the Portuguese Society of Biomechanics (SPB). He has served as President of the SPB since May 2023 and as Director of the CDRSP since January 2024.

Abstract Submission

The call for abstracts will be open until September 30^th(notification of acceptance until October 7^th). The abstract will be evaluated and selected either for oral communication or poster communication.

All abstracts accepted for the Congress will be published in the Conference Proceedings in electronic format and assigned an ISBN.

Abstracts should be structured according to the following template:

Abstract template »

Abstract submission form »

Upon submission, you will receive an automatic email confirming receipt of the abstract. If this confirmation is not received, please contact us. The corresponding author will receive the final decision of the Scientific Committee regarding the acceptance or rejection of the submitted work by e-mail.