UPINTECH’s

Hélder Cunha graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). He is currently in the first year of the Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the same institution, specializing in Machine Design. With professional experience, he has been involved in the project of a precision cutting machine at Optima-Equipamentos CNC.

Patrícia Silva is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). During this journey, divided between the Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S) and Imperial College London, she developed her thesis focused on creating 3D in vitro models that mimic breast tissue to recreate interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment to better understand tumor metastasis. In the last year, she decided to venture into entrepreneurship through LeGut, a device for detecting food intolerances, winning three acceleration programs.

António Miguel Martins is a 1st-year student of the Master of Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Machine Design at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). Having a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution, António Miguel has previous experience from an internship at CEiiA, where he was in charge of the project: "Development and Evaluation of a Test Rig for a Bicycle Handlebar". He aspires to innovate in the field of competitive cycling.

Andrea Arboleda is a project manager & tech strategy specialist with a keen. With a rich background in business expansion, risk management, and legal expertise, Andrea excels in leading complex, is Fluent in multiple languages and armed with proficiency in various tech tools. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Management, Andrea's goal is to optimize home care services through innovative economic approaches.

Francisca has a bachelor’s and a master's degree in Bioengineering - Biological Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. She currently works as an early-stage researcher at LEPABE, focusing on the use of carbon materials to minimize bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on medical devices, namely urinary catheters.

Rita Gaspar is currently synthesizing compounds with potential depigmenting activity, as part of her master’s thesis in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto. She graduated in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Aveiro, an institution that allowed her to contact with the Start Up Piauhy Labs, a company with which she collaborated in the R&D team. She was also involved in the Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship Project “Severe”, supported by the Erasmus+ Program.

Pedro Ferreira holds a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Porto Faculty of Engineering. He is currently a master's student in Mechanical Engineering in the field of Aeronautical and Vehicle Structures, at the same institution, working on his master's thesis focused on composite laminated materials, finite element method and fracture mechanics.

Rosa Caldeira holds a degree in Psychology from Instituto Superior da Maia and graduated in 2005. For 16 years she worked in the field of international logistics, having specialized herself in international trade and interpersonal relationships. Currently, she gives professional training in personal development, and is also creating a social project, taking into account the needs of the loneliest population.

Carlos Brochado is a student of the integrated master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at FFUP. During his academic career he participated in entrepreneurship competitions (EIT Health Innovation Day, Pharma Start & Solve, Rush Game in Pharmaceutical Marketing, The eHealth Lab) in which he developed knowledge in the area of marketing, management and innovation. Member of the Rotaract Club of Felgueiras since 2019, currently holding the position of secretary, helping the association to develop activities and relevant projects to the community.

After obtaining his BSc and MSc degrees in Chemistry at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, José started his PhD in Sustainable Chemistry at LAQV-REQUIMTE (FCUP) in 2018, where he focused on the sustainable synthesis of new drugs for the photodynamic therapy of cancer. In 2020, under a Fulbright fellowship supported by the FCT, he studied the photocytotoxic effects of these drugs at Louisiana State University, USA. He is currently completing his doctoral thesis.

Cristina Pereira is a Master's student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, in the field of automation. She is currently working in a thesis in the field of automation/energy on the application of a centralized energy storage system for a micro-grid community. She is a member of the image and communication department of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Student core (NEEEC).

Rita Bugalhão holds a Bachelor in Technological Physics and is a Master Student in Physics Engineering, both at the University of Porto. While being a student, she was an intern on different occasions at IFIMUP, where she is, now, researching thermomagnetic and triboelectric materials within the scope of her master’s thesis. Besides that, she has been President and Treasurer at the Physics, Physics Engineering and Astronomy Students Association of FCUP and Treasurer of PLANCKS 2021. Currently, she is Coordinator of the Employment Department at AEFCUP and will soon take office as a member of FCUP’s Representatives Council.

Lena Rauschenbach graduated in B.Sc. Business Education & Management Training at Leipzig University in 2020. Previously, she worked as a brand ambassador in the name of companies, such as Toyota and Daimler for more than four years. Receiving the zis scholarship in 2016 she was able to realize her project about young Slovakians and their opinion about the EU. Ever since she has a growing interest in mobility programs and intercultural exchanges. Currently, she's also doing an internship at the Business Development department at UPTEC.

Maria Antónia Nunes is a PhD student (Pharmaceutical Sciences - Nutrition and Food Science Specialty) at FF-UP. She holds a MSc in Consumer Sciences (FC-UP), a Degree in Nutritional Sciences (FCNA-UP) and a Degree in Nursing (ESEBB). She has professional experience and skills in Food Industry, Food Security, and Health Services as well as in Environmental and Quality Management Systems and Audits. Over the last years, she just devoted herself to Research focusing on innovative processes to recover bioactive compounds from agro-industry with impact in health and R&D of new products. 

Pedro Calonio is currently studying Physical engineering at University of Porto and he has knowlege in a broad range of subjects, such as mathematics, physics, semiconductors, nanotechnologies, optics and computational methods. He volunteered in a Porto's City Hall project called Porto Futuro, having supervised the learning of high school students. In September he will start studying on Julius-Maximilians-Universität (Germany), with emphasis on stochastic methods and statistical analysis, about which he will write his master thesis.

Tiago is a student of the Bachelor in Economics of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Porto (FEP) and since his first year in college he has closely contacted with today’s entrepeneurial reality: he is a FEP Junior Consulting alumnus, a junior entrepeneurship of which he was the Corporate Relations Executive Diretor, and he was also a member of the Business Case Solving club from FEP, called FICT (FEP International Case Team), where he had the opportunity of representing University of Porto at BIICC, in Oslo. Currently, he his the General-Manager of Sociedade de Debates da Universidade do Porto.

Luís holds a Bachelor and a Master's degree in Engineering Physics from the Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (2018). He has multidisciplinary know-how in the fields of mathematics, physics, materials science, electronics, optics, and computing. Between 2017 and 2018, Luís collaborated as a trainee at CeNTI-Centre of Nanotechnology and Smart Materials, where he investigated the Shape Memory Alloys and developed an innovative prototype as part of his master thesis project.

Internship time: Julho 2018 – January 2019

Priscilla holds a PhD in Public Policies (Innovation, Intellectual Property and Development), with a background in Microbiology. She has experience in patent landscape studies, namely in drafting and technological assessment, in which she has previously been a lecturer and trainer. She was involved in technological development and quality control of viral vaccines and biopharmaceuticals – molecular biology and microbiological assays – having experienced technology transfer process in practice. Complementary training in negotiation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Internship time: Janeiro 2017 – December 2018

Natacha Rosa received her Master's degree in Bioengineering with specialization in Biomedical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). In 2011, she explored her  interest in the nanotechnology field, through research work in two different projects. In 2012, as a result of a long standing fascination in the medical implants’ field and the increasing curiosity on the not fully comprehended world of bone biomechanics, she decided to embrace the opportunity to pursue a knowledge consolidation through a PhD, dedicated to the study of bone healing enhancement based on mechanical stimulation. Natacha Rosa is a soon to be Mechanical Engineer PhD graduate from FEUP.

Internship time: August 2018 - September 2018

Francisca graduated in Clinical and Community Psychology at Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of University of Porto (2013) where, after finishing her Master, she worked as a Clinical Psychologist. She afterwards concluded a Post-Graduation on People Management at Porto Business School (2013). In Human Resources, after working at a Consultant and later on at the Startup world, both in Porto and Berlin, as a recruiter and later on as an HR Manager, she's back to the city where she was born and raised. As a parallel activity, she writes and publishes poetry, one of her biggest passions.

Internship time: April 2018 – July 2018

Ana holds a master degree in Plant Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship from Universidade do Minho. Ana has experience organizing scientific events, including at Universidade do Porto, while she was obtaining her degree in Biology. Since 2013, she has been involved in projects of science communication to children and young people.

Internship time: November 2017 – February 2018

Francisca has a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Law, with focus on Company and Business Law, awarded by the Catholic University of Portugal, and her Master’s degree dissertation was on the topic: “Patents on Biotechnology: a legal perspective”. She has been working with IP in an academic and professional environment, at a national and international level. Francisca was a Young Professional Trainee at the European Union Intellectual Property Ofice, where she worked with the Data Protection Officer and as a trade mark examiner.

Internship time: December 2017 - March 2018

Cátia Barata, holds a Master's degree in Law, specializing in Forensic and Legal Sciences, at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra, and her Master's dissertation was held in the scope of Administrative Law, more specificaly on "The Protection of Third Parties prejudiced by changes to the Prior Notice in the Legal Regime of Urbanization and Edification". She is currently attending the second phase of the Internship of the Bar Association, being a Trainee Lawyer of Faf, Ferreira Ramos, Filomena Girão e Associados.

Internship time: January 2017 – December 2017

Kerley Pires received her bachelor's degree in Computer Science (FUMEC), with specialization in Information Technology Governance (Catholic University of Brasília), master's degree in Information Systems and Knowledge Management (FUMEC), and nowadays she is a PhD candidate in Business Management at University of Porto. She have professional experience in Brazil and Portugal, since 2008, with project management in the sector of Research, Development and Innovation, and strategic project management office in the information technology sector.

Internship time: November 2017 - December 2017

Isabel Pereira holds a Master Degree in Communication Sciences - Major in Culture, Heritage and Science. The desire to know and to tell stories that demonstrate the entrepreneurial capacity of the Man has guided her professional path. She has a solid background as a journalist, content producer and communication manager in the thematic areas of Science, Innovation and Technology. In recent years, she has collaborated with several projects involving University of Porto and the media (RTP, Público and Rádio Nova).

Internship time - July 2017 - October 2017

Joana Rodrigues is a Master in Information Science by the Faculties of Engineering and Letters of the University of Porto.  Her formation allowed her to have diverse skills in the information management field, in particular regard to information systems and technologies, description, representation, organization and retrieval of information and to the indexing and analysis of content. In terms of skills and knowledges in the software application plan, these are based on the mastering of AtoM, Aleph, GISA, BIBLIObase, SQL, Access and other Office tools.

Internship time: February 2017 – June 2017

Alexandra Coelho, born in Porto, has a master's degree and a degree in Information Science from the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Arts of the University of Porto, respectively. Between January and June 2016, completed a curricular traineeship at the Central Library of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Porto, under the master's thesis entitled "Indicators of Performance of University Libraries of Social and Human Sciences". Her main interests are traveling, gastronomy and culture in general.

Intership time: September 2016 – February 2017

Pedro Rebelo Tavares, natural from Albergaria-a-Velha, has a Licenciate degree in Law and a Masters degree in Business Law by Lusíada University of Porto (2013; 2015), having presented his thesis on the subject of ‘Software Intellectual Property Law in the Information Era’. He also attended postgraduate studies in Medical Law and Pharmaceutical Law at Coimbra University (2014; 2015). Nowadays, besides working as an UpinTECH, he’s finishing his internship in the portuguese bar association and is a PhD student (Lusíada Univ. of Porto), currently in the dissertation phase.

Internship time: May 2016 – September 2016 | April 2018 - March 2019

Evelyn Soto holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP-Brazil) and also a degree on Industrial Engineering from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM-Peru). Her expertise includes Innovation and Intellectual Property (patents). She is currently an Innovation Fund (Fincyt) adviser at the Science and Technology Program from the Government of Peru.

Internship time: May 2016 – December 2016

Paulo Cardoso is graduated in Applied Physics at Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, MSc in Biomedical at Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto and holds a PhD in Physics at Universidade do Minho. He has research experience in polymer nanocomposites, multiferroic magnetic nanomaterials, biomedical engineering, optical fiber sensors, lasers and magneto-optics materials. He attended short-term courses in medical physics and medical imaging and also a 2-years internship in knowledge transfer at CERN.

Internship time: July 2015 - December 2015

João Teixeira de Oliveira holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering (3B's-Univ of Minho, PT / Univ of Sheffield, UK), a Master's degree in Medicine (Integrated Master's degree in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto) and a degree in Biology from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto. He also has a post-graduate degree in Biostatistics for Health Sciences from the Univ of Minho. He is the author / co-author of more than 30 publications in journals, book chapters and inventor / co-inventor of patents. He was Coordinating Professor of the Polytechnic Higher Education until February 2016. He is currently a medical doctor (common year internship) and a consultant in the chemical-biological area.

Internship time: October 2015 – December 2015

Microbiologist with a PhD degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (FFUP), Sara Baptista da Silva, participated in 7 scientific projects, more than 20 training courses/seminars, co-supervised students (BSc/MSc) and received 5 awards/distinctions, including: a merit award in 2012 by the Portuguese-American Foundation, COHiTEC program (Business School, UP). The PhD thesis resulted in, several publications, and in a provisional patent application by the Innovation Office of UP. Also co-founder of Blendera®-food solutions, project created in 2011 and headquartered in the Science and Technology Park of UP (UPTEC-TECH).

Internship time: March 2015 - July 2015

Tiago dos Santos got his degree in Industrial Chemistry at the University of Coimbra and his PhD in Nanomedicine, at the Centre for BionanoInteractions, Ireland. Currently, he is a postdoctoral investigator at I3S, Portugal, involved in different projects such as nanoparticle functionalization as a screening methodology for early diagnosis of invasive gastric cancer and more recently, engineering cellular models of gastric wall with the purpose of stomach regeneration.

Internship time: February 2014 – December 2014

Having concluded her Master in Bioengineering in 2013, Biological Engineering branch, and having developed her Master thesis in The Netherlands, Rita Lemos now intends to pursue an international career as a researcher. Rita is a colaborator on the technology transfer process and is mainly involved in the analysis of patenteability and the establishment of comercial contacts with potential colaborators.

Internship time: February 2014 – December 2014

Diogo Baía is associated with the UPinTech program since February 2014. He graduated in Microbiology from the College of Biotechnology (Portuguese Catholic University) in 2006 and continued his training in Barcelona obtaining a Master’s degree in Immunology awarded by the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 2007. Recently, October 2014, he obtained a PhD in Biomedicine from the Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona). Diogo performs tasks related to the protection of intellectual property and licensing of technologies developed by researchers at the University that are linked with Health.

Internship time: April 2014 – July 2014

Ana Cavadas holds Master degree in Environmental Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto and is now working at U.Porto Inovação in the framework of the project MARECON.PT – Translating marine science into products and services for the Portuguese economy. MARECON.PT is a project in partnership with CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research that aims at the maximisation of the economic potential of the R&D results.  Ana is responsible for the screening and evaluation of technologies derived from the CIIMAR’s R&D projects. Her work aims to outline effective valorisation and commercialisation strategies, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in marine research.

Internship time: June 2013 – December 2013

Isabel Coutinho has a Degree in Biology and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, specialization in Microbiology. Isabel was an internee at U.Porto Inovação from June to December 2013, an opportunity to get more familiarized with the process of intellectual property protection. At the moment, Isabel is a postdoc in an internationally renowned laboratory at Adelaide, Australia, working on new approaches to treat prostate cancer. The translational nature of her project will definitely benefit from the tools she acquired while an internee at U.Porto Inovação.

Internship time: November 2011 – December 2012

Rita Seabra has been working as a science researcher since she graduated in 2004 in Biochemistry having obtained her Doctor degree in 2012 from the University of Porto. Rita has expertise mostly in plant science, particularly in the field of plant-microbe interactions having worked at Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology in Porto (IBMC) and the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne. She is currently a Post-doc researcher at IBMC.