1. Conference Overview/Introduction
The II International Meeting of Molecules4Life (M4L) was held from 10 to 12 September 2025 at the School of Life Sciences and Environment (ECVA), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal. Organized by the Chemistry Research Centre-Vila Real (CQ-VR) under the auspices of the Portuguese Chemical Society (SPQ), the conference explored the role of molecules in the development of sustainable solutions for environmental protection, bringing together researchers from chemistry, environmental science, biochemistry, bioengineering, civil engineering, physics, and related fields.
Centered on five thematic pillars, namely Molecular Flows with Environmental Impacts, Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Sustainable Materials, Materials for Energy, and Food Security and Clean-Label Technologies, the meeting fostered cross-disciplinary dialog and collaboration.
Participants enjoyed a rich scientific program, featuring plenary lectures and oral and poster sessions, complemented by social events such as a welcome reception, a guided tour to wine cellars, and a Douro traditional dinner.
The conference drew a broad audience: from senior researchers to PhD and master’s students, fostering an atmosphere of rigorous debate, creative exchange, and network building. The organizers extended sincere thanks to all presenters, participants, and sponsors for contributing to the outstanding success of this second edition.
2. Conference Committees
2.1. Organizing Committees
Centro de Química-Vila Real
Chairperson—José Alcides Peres, Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
Co-Chairperson—Cristina Oliveira, Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
2.2. Scientific Committees
Local scientific committee
- Alexandra Costa—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa
- Fernando Nunes—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
- Fernando Pacheco—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
- João Coutinho—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
- José Peres—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
- Marco Lucas—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
- Maria Fernanda Gil Cosme Martins—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
- Mariana Sofia Peixoto Fernandes—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
- Nuno Cristelo—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
- Patrícia Barata—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa
- Verónica Bermudez—Centro de Química-Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
External scientific committee
- Ana Fernández Jiménez—Instituto de Ciencias de la Construcción Eduardo Torroja, Madrid, Spain
- Antonio Morata—Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Beatriz Oliveira—Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Bruno Medronho—Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
- David Fangueiro—Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Helena Braga—Faculdade de Engenharia do Porto, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
- Eduardo Silva—Universidade de Aveiro, Departamento de Geociências, Aveiro, Portugal
- Joaquim Faria—Faculdade de Engenharia do Porto, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
- José Manuel Ribeiro de Sousa—Faculdade de Engenharia do Porto, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
- José Sánchez Pérez—Universidad de Almería, Almería, Spain
- Juan García—Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Katarzyna Styszko—AGH Univ. of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland
- Maria Victoria Arribas Moreno—Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación, Madrid, Spain
- Pierre Teissedre—University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Rui Martins—Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro’s local staff
- Tiago Duarte
- Daniel Pereira
- Hugo Ferreira
- Ivo Vaz de Oliveira
- Leonilde Marchão
- Lisete Fernandes
- Maria Pereira Vaz
- Mauro da Silva
- Sílvia Martins Afonso
- Rita Teixeira
3. Conference Topics
The II International Meeting Molecules4Life (2025) was structured around five thematic areas that reflected the conference’s central theme of Molecules4…Sustainable Development:
- Molecular Flows with Environmental Impacts (soil, water, and atmosphere);
- Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control;
- Sustainable Materials;
- Materials for Energy;
- Food Security and Clean Label Technologies.
4. Conference Speakers
Dave Chadwick, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University (UK)—Effects of extreme weather events on soil health and greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural land
Eduardo Silva, Universidade de Aveiro, Department of Geosciences (Portugal)—Geological Resources and Human Activities: Environmental Impacts versus Geohealth
Raf Dewil, KU Leuven, Faculty of Engineering Technology (Belgium)—Exploring novel advanced catalytic techniques for the degradation of emerging pollutants in water
Sixto Malato, Plataforma Solar de Almería (Spain)—Solar photochemical processes: applications and photoreactors
Pedro Fardim, KU Leuven, Faculty of Engineering Science (Belgium)—Polysaccharides as future sustainable materials
Ana Fernández-Jiménez, Instituto de Ciencias de la Construcción Eduardo Torroja, Madrid (Spain)—Development of low-carbon cements by alkaline activation technology
Adélio Mendes, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto (Portugal)—Green Energy from methanol to produce H2 and CO2
Stefania Specchia, Politecnico di Torino (Italy)—Sustainable electrocatalysts for low-temperature fuel cells
Martin Wagner, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna (Austria)—A glimpse on emerging hazards: The FoodSafer Project
Antonio Morata, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain)—Emerging non-thermal technologies for the extraction and preservation of wine molecules with sensory impact
5. Sponsors
The conference gratefully acknowledges the institutions and sponsors (Table 1) whose support made the II International Meeting of Molecules4Life (2025) possible. Their contributions were essential in ensuring a high-quality scientific program and an enriching experience for all participants.
Table 1.
Institutional support and sponsorship.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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