Luís completed a degree in applied chemistry in 1999 and a degree in Physics and Chemistry teaching in 2007, both at the University of Minho. In 2012, he completed his PhD in Chemistry with a thesis on the encapsulation of semiconductor nanoparticles in hybrid organic inorganic matrices produced by sol-gel. After the PhD, he worked in research at the polymer engineering department of the University of Minho on several projects related to the processing of composite materials. Currently, he is a postdoctoral fellow at the Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, where he works with agglomerated cork composites and with bio-adhesives for use on agglomerated cork.

Rui L. Reis is a Full Professor at the University of Minho in Braga and Guimarães. He is the Founding Director of the 3B's Research Group, part of the Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics (I3Bs) of UMinho. He is also the Director of the ICVS/3B's Associate Laboratory of UMinho. He is the CEO of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. He was, from 2013 to 2017, the Vice-Rector (vice-president) for research and innovation of UMinho. From 2007 to 2021, he was the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. From 2016 to 2018, he was president of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS). He is on the board of several scientific societies, companies, and associations. From 2017 to 2019, he was the President of TECMINHO, the technology transfer office of the University of Minho. He is the CEO of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine in Avepark, Guimarães. He co-founded different start-up companies originating from the research and activities of 3B's research group, such as Stemmatters and HydruStent/HydruMedical. He is the current president of the I3B's research institute and one of the most cited Portuguese researchers in science.

Emanuel M. Fernandes is the Senior Researcher at the Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho (UMinho). He holds a degree in Materials Engineering from UMinho. In 2013, he obtained his Ph.D. in Materials Engineering at UMinho, in collaboration with CORTICEIRA AMORIM, on New Functionalized Cork Plastics Composites. He was awarded both PhD and Post-Doc grants from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). As a postdoctoral fellow, he worked on the processing and characterization of bio-based polymers with cork and performed a collaboration with the Cork Supply industry, to work on cork composites for food contact. During 2015 to 2017, he was an Assistant Professor at UMinho on the Integrated Masters in Biomedical Engineering and Product Design degree at IDEGUI Design Institute (UMinho). Since 2018, has been also member of both Unit and Scientific Councils of the Research Institute (I3Bs). His particular interests include lignocellulosic and lightweight materials, bio-based polymers, biocomposites, cork and marine sub-products valorization, biomaterials, properties and application.