Rui P. C. L. Sousa has a BSc in Biochemistry and an MSc in Chemical Characterization and Analysis Techniques. He is currently undertaking a Ph.D. course on Applied Chemistry at Universidade do Minho, having previously worked at the same research institution as a Research Fellow within the project SolSensors funded by FCT. His current work includes the synthesis and characterization of new organic molecules, the synthesis and characterization of novel organic-inorganic hybrids by the sol-gel method, antifouling compounds sensing, and optical fiber sensors.
Prof. Raul Fangueiro is currently a Full Professor and senior researcher in the School of Engineering at the University of Minho, Portugal. He is Director of the Center for Textile Science and Technology of the same university, with expertise in advanced materials (nano, smart, and composites) and structures (3D, auxetic, and multiscale), with 45 research projects. He is the mentor and the coordinator of the FIBRENAMICS – Institute of Innovation on Fiber-Based Materials and Composites, including 350 partners, developing the promotion, dissemination, technology transfer, and research activities of fiber-based advanced materials. He is the scientific coordinator of several national and international research projects on advanced fibrous and composite materials, mainly for building, defense, architecture, and healthcare applications. He has supervised various PhD and postdoc scientific works and is the chair of AUXDEFENSE, the World Conference on Advanced Materials for Defense and ICNF, the International Conference on Natural Fibers. Prof. Raul Fangueiro is the founder of the WANFR – the World Association of Natural Fibers Research, a member of the Editorial Board of several leading international scientific journals on composite and fibrous materials, and a member of several working groups of the European Defense Agency and NATO.
Dr. Diana P. Ferreira has been a researcher at the Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T) of the School of Engineering of Minho University since 2017. She finished her PhD in Chemistry in 2016 at Técnico Lisbon, University of Lisbon. Her research interests are focused on using sustainable chemistry for the development of smart, innovative, and sustainable fibrous-based materials. She is the coordinator of several academic research projects, including projects in collaboration with companies, and a Professor of Textile Chemistry and Textile Materials. Dr. Diana P. Ferreira is also a supervisor of Ph.D. and Master's students, has published almost 60 original peer-reviewed papers, and presented over 70 national and international communications. She is Guest Editor of several journals and part of the Scientific Committee of International Conferences. Meanwhile, she is a member of the board of the 2C2T Research Centre, coordinator of the Fibrous Materials Research Line, and member of the Coordination Board of the Doctoral Program in Textile Engineering.
