25 years of Science and Innovation
LEPABE is a research unit operating in the fields of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of Porto (FEUP). With a large majority of young researchers, LEPABE is focused on generating scientific knowledge through interdisciplinary research, and on establishing successful university–industry collaborations for effective technology transfer. [...]
Manuel Simões receives U. Porto 2026 Scientific Research Excellence Award
Posted on March 20th, 2026
Prof. Manuel Simões, a senior researcher in the biotechnology group at LEPABE, has been recognized as one of the winners of the U. Porto Scientific Research Excellence Award 2026 in the area of Exact Sciences, Engineering and Technologies.
This distinction honours researchers who are both nationally and internationally recognized in their fields and who, over the past five years, have demonstrated outstanding achievements in scientific output and success in securing research funding at the University of Porto.
Between 2020 and 2024, Manuel Simões was consecutively included in the Highly Cited Researchers list, an initiative by Clarivate Analytics that annually identifies the world’s most influential scientists. His research focuses on biofilms, the development of antimicrobial strategies to control microbial growth, and bioprocess engineering.
Congratulations on this achievement!
More information can be found here.
PhD Thesis by Joana Martins on hybrid reactors for CO2 capture and valorization
April 7th, 2026
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Joana Martins for her PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Engineering, entitled “Design of hybrid reactors for CO2 capture and valorization through methanation - application to biogas and flue gas”, supervised by Luís Miguel Madeira, defended on April 7th, 2026 FEUP.
LEPABE whishes you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy 2026!
Posted on December 23rd, 2025
LEPABE team awarded 2nd prize in the SheLeads Ventures Programme
Posted on December 19th, 2025
A team of researchers from LEPABE has been awarded 2nd place in the 1st edition of the SheLeads Ventures Programme, promoted by U.Porto Inovação. The awarded team includes Anabela Borges, Ariana Gonçalves, Lília Teixeira, Manuel Simões, and Miguel Leitão, members of the Biotechnology group.
Their project, BERMICIN Care, is an innovative technology designed for the at-home treatment of chronic wound infections. These wounds, which fail to heal as expected and remain open for extended periods, are often associated with conditions such as advanced age, diabetes, obesity, or cardiovascular disease.
The SheLeads Ventures Programme is the University of Porto’s first initiative dedicated to promoting female leadership, with a strong focus on empowering women in entrepreneurship.
Congratulations!
More information can be found here.
LEPABE was granted new Ph.D scholarships in the FCT 2025 call
Posted on December 11th, 2025
LEPABE congratulates the 18 researchers that were granted individual PhD scholarships in the national FCT call:
- Ana Isabel Sousa
- Ana Sofia Pinto
- Arefeh Mazarei
- Débora Araújo
- Emílio Gomes
- Francisca Ferreira
- Inês Freitas
- Isabel Hilário
- Joana Oliveira
Congratulations to all!
- Joana Peixoto
- José Gonçalo Santos
- Maria Teresa Ribeiro
- Megan Braga
- Patrícia Serra
- Rita Duarte
- Sergio Sanchez
- Vânia Pinheiro
- Vânia Rocha
PhD Thesis by Joana Príncipe on Perovskite Solar Cells
March 18th, 2026
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Joana Príncipe for her PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Engineering, entitled “Study and Optimization of Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells for Energy-Enabled Street Furniture” supervised by Prof. Luísa Andrade, defended on March 18th, 2026 FEUP.
PhD Thesis by Joana Bôto on antimicrobial agents
March 3rd, 2026
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Joana Bôto for her PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Food Consumption and Nutrition Sciences, entitled “Assessing the sustainability of dietary patterns in Portugal: A multidimensional approach based on environmental, nutritional, and economic dimensions” co-supervised by Prof. Belmira Neto, defended on March 3rd, 2026 FCNAUP.
PhD Thesis by Bárbara Nunes on antimicrobial agents
January 26th, 2026
LEPABE would like to congratulate Dr. Bárbara Nunes for her PhD thesis of the Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Engineering, entitled “Quaternary ammonium and phosphonium salts as antimicrobial agents: synthesis, biological evaluation, and mechanistic insights” supervised by Prof. Manuel Simões, defended on January 26th, 2026 FEUP.
- LEPABE meeting 2023
- LEPABE was granted new Ph.D scholarships in the FCT 2025 call
- LEPABE was granted new exploratory projects in FCT 2024 call
- LEPABE team awarded 1st prize in the BIP Acceleration Programme
- INFORM Magazine interviews F. Xavier Malcata
- Science & Technology Week 2025
- LEPABE research highlighted on TVI Jornal
- LEPABE researchers feature in the “World’s Top 2% Scientists” list
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