Paulo Silva, 25 years old, originally from Barcelos, Portugal, is currently a Scientific Researcher at the Algoritmi Center, School of Engineering, University of Minho. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Applied Biology in 2020 and a Master's degree in Human Engineering in 2022 which focuses on the areas of Ergonomics and Occupational Safety, where he excelled with a final thesis grade of 18. Both courses were held at the University of Minho. Throughout his academic journey, Paulo actively participated in seminars on work accidents and their prevention, showcasing his early interest in occupational safety. In 2022, Paulo began his career as a Scientific Researcher at the University of Minho in the Ergonomics and Human Factors research group, contributing to key projects like “Sustained Prevention” and “PT Smart Retail.” His innovative work in developing the Integrated Risk Management Model methodology has been pivotal in testing and evaluating ergonomic and intelligent solutions in the food retail sector. Paulo also gained proficiency in software tools such as XSens, Industrial Athlete, and OpenSignals. He has shared his expertise at various events, including presenting lectures and workshops. Paulo holds a Level VII professional qualification as an Occupational Safety Technician and co-authored the article “Decoding the Effect of Descriptive Statistics on Informed Decision-Making” in Innovations in Mechatronics Engineering III.
My journey blends science and human social factors. After choosing the Sciences and Technologies track in high school, I pursued a Bachelor's in Archaeology at the University of Minho, graduating in 2015 with a final grade of 15. During my studies, I completed three internships in Portugal, enhancing my understanding of physical anthropology and human nature. In 2016, driven by a passion for healthy living, I completed a certified exercise technician course at CEFAD, Braga. This deepened my knowledge of biomechanics and human health, which I applied professionally for six years.
Seeking further growth, I enrolled in the Master's program in Human Engineering at the University of Minho in 2020. During this time, I contributed to the "Sustainable Prevention" project, a collaboration with a leading Portuguese retail company, focused on improving working conditions. This project formed the basis of my thesis and resulted in a journal publication and a conference paper. I earned my Master's degree in 2023 with a final grade of 16, accredited internationally by organizations such as the European Commission and UNESCO/CEPES. In 2023, I joined the "SMART RETAIL" research initiative with the Department of Production and Systems and Centro ALGORTIMI. Currently, I am a research fellow at the University of Minho, focusing on human factors, ergonomics, occupational health, and hygiene.
