Portugal’s largest science and technology event, Ciência 2023, has been taking place on the campus of the University of Aveiro since July 5th and will continue until the 7th. The 2023 edition is themed “Science and Ocean Beyond the Horizon,” and the Center for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), as in previous years, actively participates in this event.
As mentioned during the opening session by Helena Vieira, a researcher from CESAM/DAO and the commissioner of Ciência 2023, this national event, being the first to not occur in Lisbon, is also the first to focus on a specific theme, encouraging the scientific community to build solutions “for a fairer, bluer, and greener society.”
These have been intense days of activity, with extensive participation from the CESAM research community. While it’s not possible to list all individual researchers, the thematic session “Discovering the Potential of the Blue Economy,” organized by CESAM and the Center for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry at the Catholic University (CBQF), deserves special mention. Moderated by Amadeu Soares, Scientific Coordinator of CESAM, and Manuela Pintado, a researcher from CBQF, this session discussed the role of blue biotechnology as a crucial driver to replace fossil fuel-based value chains, enhance circular food systems, and reduce pollution.
On the same day, CESAM was also represented in the nighttime session of Ciência 2023 held at the University of Aveiro’s Rectory Building. Titled “An Ocean of Science for Everyone in Aveiro,” the event featured the documentary “ECOMARE – Research and Rescue of Marine Species,” produced by PlaySolutions – Audiovisuais with scientific coordination from CESAM. The documentary premiered on RTP1 and was awarded the gold medal in the “Wildlife – Seas and Forests” category at the International Tourism Film Festival of Africa (ITFFA). In this same nighttime session, researchers Ricardo Calado and Ana Hilário (CESAM/DBIO) delivered a joint presentation titled “From the Depths of the Sea to the Plate!”
You can explore the entire program here.
Text by: CESAM