New book by Prof. José Torres Farinha, head of RCM2+, was launched 18 September 2025 in the USA. The title is "Hospital Asset Maintenance Engineering for the Next Century" and the book offers a cutting- edge perspective on the management of physical assets within hospitals, incorporating life cycle assessment support models applicable to various types of assets.

Margarida Duarte receives Best Student Paper Award at PAMDAS 2025 international conference RCM2+ researcher and ISEC student Margarida Duarte is first author of the paper selected as Best Student Paper at PAMDAS 2025 international conference. The paper is entitled "Integrating Machine Learning for Predictive Maintenance in Urban Bus Fleets using Oil Analysis" and describes a method to perform bus oil analysis using modern machine learning methods. PAMDAS 2025 is an international congress, which happened in Coimbra in 17 and 18 July 2025. The Best Student Paper was selected based on the comments and rates of the reviewers and chairs of the sessions.

José Torres Farinha, head of RCM2+, won second place for the McKeown Award for Individual Achievement of the Asset Management Excellence Awards 2024. The prize was granted based on his work in higher education, publication record, foundation and coordination of RCM2+, as well as promoting connections between industry and academy. The McKeown Award for Individual Achievement is one of the Excellence Awards granted by the Institute of Asset Management (IAM). The award is given to a professional who has made a notable personal contribution to the field of Asset Management, whether within their own organization or to the professional community at large.

Professor and researcher Pedro Alexandre Marques and Diana Delgado, Science Manager at RCM2+ took part in the inauguration of the EIT Community Hub Portugal, which took place at the Unicorn Factory Lisbon on July 10, 2025. Pedro Alexandre Marques shared insights into how academia is responding to the main challenges faced by industries. Access the full interview at: Portugal's leap into Europe's innovation future - EIT Manufacturing.

João Reis, Assistant Professor of the Degree and Master's in Industrial Engineering and Management at Lusófona University and RCM2+ researcher, has won the fourth edition of the Atlantic Security Award for his project “Transatlantic Space Defense and Deterrence: CapabilitiesagainstHybridThreatsto Space andTerrestrialSystem”. The Atlantic Security Award supports two projects in the area of Atlantic Security and Defense. Find out more at: https://www.flad.pt/caio-cesar-ribeiro-e-joao-reis-vencem-atlantic-security-award-2025/ We congratulate the researcher on his award!

LEIDEN, Netherlands – May 2025 – The EU-funded BIOFIN-EU project convened its annual plenary meeting at Naturalis Biodiversity Center, bringing together representatives from all 13 partners across 10 European countries to drive innovation in biodiversity finance. The three-day meeting marked a key milestone in BIOFIN-EU’s mission to develop the framework and technology that will make biodiversity-positive investments more attractive and accessible to financial institutions. Key Outcomes and Highlights: Decision-Support Tool: A new decision-support tool for financial institutions featuring biodiversity assessment, data transparency, and risk modeling modules Data for Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): Progress on identifying critical data needs for nature-based solution (NbS) investments Transforming Agricultural Finance: Focus on transforming agricultural lending through biodiversity data integration Public Engagement and Civil Society Forum: The meeting prioritized public engagement, laying groundwork for a Civil Society Forum to ensure transparent policy development. Simplified Sustainable Finance Taxonomy: Researchers addressed challenges in scaling ecological solutions and aligning with the simplified Sustainable Finance Taxonomy. Skills Accelerators: Development of skills accelerators for Europe's financial sector, combining cutting-edge research with practical implementation pathways.

Strategic partnership reinforces the university's commitment to innovation, digitalization and sustainability in European industry Universidade Lusófona is pleased to announce its integration as a member of EIT Manufacturing, one of the main Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). This strategic partnership positions the University at the epicenter of the digital and sustainable transformation of European industry, consolidating its commitment to innovation, education and entrepreneurship. EIT Manufacturing brings together more than 50 organizations from 17 European countries, including leading companies, universities and research centers, with the aim of boosting the competitiveness of European industry through collaborative innovation ecosystems. In Portugal, INESC TEC (Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science) and SONAE are key partners. The participation of Lusófona University, represented by researchers from the RCM2+ research center (Faculty of Engineering), in this European network will enable the development of innovative projects, advanced training programs and initiatives to support innovative companies and start-ups. These projects will be aligned with EIT Manufacturing's strategic objectives, such as digitizing production and promoting environmental and social sustainability. This integration reinforces Lusófona University's role as an active agent in promoting innovation and industrial competitiveness, while contributing to the training of highly qualified professionals and the creation of technological solutions with high added value.

The 3rd Workshop of the PhytoAPP project took place on April 15, 2025 at the DeepTechLab of the Lusófona University in Lisbon. The event was organized by DTL/Lusófona in collaboration with NANOTECHCENTER. The PhytoAPP project is funded by the European Commission's European Research Executive Agency and is coordinated by Professor Sergiy Lyubchyk of Lusófona University. The main aim of the workshop was to assess the current status and progress of the project's Work Packages (WPs), as well as to discuss strategic directions, with a particular focus on the remaining timeline until the project's completion, scheduled for February 2026. Detailed presentations were given, mainly by the leaders of the WPs, who highlighted the main achievements, ongoing activities, challenges faced and future plans. The workshop ended with a round table focused on integration between the different WPs, knowledge exchange and joint planning. Important topics such as upcoming scientific activities, mobility, dissemination actions and preparations for the project's final conference were discussed. Communication strategies and visibility tools were also discussed, with the aim of maximizing the project's impact and reach. The event was attended by representatives of all the consortium's partner institutions, either in person or remotely. The following institutions were represented: COFAC/Universidade Lusófona (Ulusófona, PT), NANOTECHCENTER LLC (UA), Institute of Experimental Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (IEP, SK), University of Oxford (UOXF, UK), Cascatachuva Lda (PT), the Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University (KKSU, KZ), and the National Nuclear Research Center CJSC (NNRC, AZ). Professor Sergiy Lyubchyk, project coordinator and RCM2+ researcher, and Professor Svitlana Lyubchyk, lecturer on the Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering and Management at Universidade Lusófona and also an RCM2+ researcher, were present at the meeting. The PhytoAPP project aims to develop inhibitors of the formation of amyloid fibrils to prevent and treat diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Using nanotechnology, the project aims to overcome the limitations of phytochemicals, such as their low solubility in water, improving their bioavailability, stability and reducing toxicity. The work includes the synthesis of nanoactivated phytocomplexes, in vitro and in vivo tests, and preparation for the scale production of nanopharmaceuticals, including the development of a pilot line and clinical tests.

On April 14, 2025, the 2nd Workshop of the Aqua-Synapse project was held in Lisbon, Portugal, at the premises of the GIMM Foundation - Gulbenkian Institute of Molecular Medicine (GIMM). Aqua-Synapse is a project funded by the European Commission's European Research Executive Agency and is coordinated by Professor Sergiy Lyubchyk, from Lusófona University*. The main objective of this second workshop was to review and discuss the current state of the art and future prospects of each Work Package, following the conclusion of the first phase of the project (RP1). The event featured detailed presentations on the progress and results of the following Work Packages (WP): WP1: Deuterium metabolic spectroscopy and deuterium metabolic imaging; WP2: Impact of deuterium on excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance in a human neuronal network model; WP3: Evaluation of the effects of deuterium depletion in animal models of metabolic syndrome; WP4: Evaluation of the impact of deuterium depletion in animal models of aging; WP5: Production of low deuterium and control water samples, and monitoring of deuterium content in experimental tissues; WP6: Project management and dissemination activities. The team leaders of each Work Package presented the progress and conclusions for which they were responsible. The workshop ended with a round table that promoted the exchange of knowledge and the strategic planning of the project's next steps, including mobility, scientific research and results, communication and dissemination efforts, and the possible integration of a new company into the consortium. This workshop was organized by GIMM in collaboration with Lusófona University. All consortium partners were represented, either in person or online, including: Universidade Lusófona/COFAC (PT); University Hospital Würzburg (DE); HYD LLC. for Oncology Research and Drug Development (HU); Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência Molecular (PT); University of Oxford (UK). Professors Sergiy Lyubchyk, project coordinator and researcher at RCM2+, and Svitlana Lyubchyk, lecturer on the Industrial Engineering and Management master's degree at Universidade Lusófona and also a researcher at RCM2+ were present at the event. The Aqua-Synapse project aims to investigate the mechanisms by which water with a low deuterium content can have beneficial effects on human health, particularly in diseases such as cancer. Studies indicate that high concentrations of deuterium can cause mitochondrial dysfunction, while lower concentrations seem to have positive effects. However, it is not yet known exactly at what levels these metabolic and behavioral improvements become evident. The project seeks to confirm this hypothesis and create ways of measuring these benefits.

The Institute of Asset Management (the IAM) is the international professional body for asset management professionals. The IAM develops Asset Management knowledge and best practices and generates awareness of the benefits of the asset management discipline for individuals, organizations, and wider society. The IAM was established in 1994, having currently over 2000 individual and 300 corporate members and a network of over 46,000 people globally. The Institute of Asset Management (the IAM) is a not-for-profit professional body that operates at a Global level, around the World. José Manuel Torres Farinha was nominated for the shortlist of McKeown Award for Individual Achievement.

RCM2+ took part in the IPC & Science2Business Job Summit, which took place on April 1st at the Convento de São Francisco in Coimbra. This is a day dedicated to knowledge, networking and innovation, with companies and professionals. It is therefore an opportunity to explore new trends in the job market and discover innovative projects with real impact. RCM2+ was there to showcase the work of researchers from the Coimbra and Lisbon hubs.

Following the recent elections to national bodies, the EGI team is pleased to report that on March 25, Maria do Céu Ferreira, a lecturer on the Bachelor's and Master's degree courses in Industrial Engineering and Management at Lusófona University and a researcher at RCM2+, took office as National Coordinator of the Specialization in Metrology of the Order of Engineers. Congratulations to Maria do Céu Ferreira and best wishes for a job well done.

On February 20, 2025, Universidade Lusófona - Centro Universitário de Lisboa hosted the Mid-Term Meeting of the DETMED project, an initiative funded by the European Commission's European Research Executive Agency (REA) and coordinated by the institution itself. The project aims to develop an innovative prototype of a compact, high-precision gamma probe to optimize the surgical removal of tumours, increasing the effectiveness of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Through advanced research in optoelectronics and the application of cutting-edge technologies, DETMED is committed to international collaboration to boost the new generation of high-sensitivity gamma detectors, bringing together experts from Portugal, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Ukraine, Germany, Hungary and Azerbaijan. During the meeting, the consortium teams presented the most recent advances in the project and outlined the next steps to be taken in the different Work Packages (WP), with emphasis on the preparation and testing of innovative SiPM samples, the investigation of scintillating material parameters, the development of the electronic circuit and the gamma probe reading system, as well as the overall management of the project. In addition to the technical progress, the mobile researchers shared their experiences and contributions to the advancement of research. The event was attended in person and online by all the consortium members, including Universidade Lusófona/COFAC (Portugal), CascataChuva LDA (Portugal), Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine VI Vernadsky (Ukraine), Nanomaterials Research & Development (Poland), Elmek Mozgasban Alapítvány (Hungary), Technical University of Dortmund (Germany), Jožef Stefan Institute (Slovenia), University of West Bohemia (Czech Republic), Institute of Radiation Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and SETM LLC (Azerbaijan). The European Union was represented by a member of the REA, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and research in the fight against cancer. With the advances presented, the project is now moving on to the next stages of development, aiming to revolutionize the precision of medical procedures and contribute to significant improvements in the care of cancer patients. RCM2+ researchers Svitlana Lyubchyk, Andriy Lyubchyk and Sergiy Lyubchyk were present.

The workshop on monitoring land degradation using QGIS and Google Earth Engine took place between February 10 and 13, 2025, at the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, Morocco. Part of the EWALD (Earth Observation for Early Warning of Land Degradation at European Frontier) project, coordinated by Lusófona University and funded by the European Union, the event brought together experts and researchers from various international institutions, including project partners, to discuss innovative methodologies in the use of remote sensing and geospatial analysis in monitoring land degradation. Deep Tech Lab (*) staff took part in the workshop, representing Lusófona University. The program began on February 10 with presentations on the opportunities and challenges of remote sensing of soil degradation, led by Sophia Hueffmeier, and on the importance of monitoring for the Sustainable Development Goals, presented by Nikhil Raghuvanshi. On the 11th, participants had the opportunity to apply the concepts presented in practice, through a practical session on QGIS and Google Earth Engine, led by Hanna Guehmann. On February 12 and 13, the workshop culminated in a field trip to the Ouarzazate region, where participants were able to directly observe the impacts of soil degradation and apply the methodologies discussed during the event. This experience allowed for a more in-depth analysis of the local reality and the exchange of knowledge between researchers, reinforcing international cooperation within the framework of the EWALD project. The event highlighted the importance of using advanced technologies in environmental monitoring and reinforced the need for scientific collaboration to tackle the global challenges of soil degradation. (*) - Svitlana Lyubchyk, lecturer on the Master's Degree in EGI/Lusófona and RCM2+ researcher, was present.

Dear students and teachers, We are excited to invite you to the conference “ONE WATER: New Water Sources and Nature-based Solutions”, which will take place on June 5 and 6, 2025, in Lisbon. This event will bring together national and international experts to discuss the integration of new water sources and nature-based solutions in the context of global water management challenges. It will be a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange and networking between academics, professionals and policy makers. For more information and registration, visit: https://lisbonpubliclaw.pt/waterwastelisbon/.

The scientific article entitled “A two-level optimization-simulation method for production planning and scheduling: the industrial case of a human-robot collaborative assembly line”, written by Professor Miguel Vieira, was awarded the “Augusto Queirós Novais Prize” 2024. The distinction was awarded by APDIO - the Portuguese Operational Research Association, during the annual Operational Research congress (IO2024), held in March at the School of Technology and Management of the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu. The Augusto Queirós Novais Award, one of the most prestigious in the field of Process Systems Engineering research, aims to recognize the scientific articles with the greatest impact published by APDIO members. In this year's edition, the winning article, published in the renowned International Journal of Production Research, stands out for its presentation of an innovative simulation and optimization methodology based on the Recursive Optimization-Simulation Approach (ROSA). This approach offers valuable support in decision-making for production planning and scheduling, especially in collaborative assembly lines between humans and robots, promoting integration and efficiency in the industrial context. APDIO, founded in 1978, is a scientific association that brings together Portuguese professionals and academics dedicated to Operations Research. With around 250 members, the association regularly organizes events, such as conferences and symposia, which encourage the development and application of advanced methodologies in areas such as optimization and the management of complex systems. The distinction received by Miguel Vieira, Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management, and the relevance of his work demonstrate the impact of the RCM2+ Research Center's research in the area of Operations Research and its ongoing commitment to technological and methodological innovation.

João Carlos Gonçalves dos Reis, lecturer on the Industrial Engineering and Management (EGI) course and researcher at the RCM2+ Research Center at the Faculty of Engineering of Lusófona University, received the INA Award for Best Research in Public Administration on November 7. Due to the impact of the topic in the area of Public Administration, the award was presented to him by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Prof. Dr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The award was given during the 13th National Congress of Public Administration, held on November 7 and 8 at Culturgest in Lisbon. This year, the central theme of the event was “Democracy, Public Service and Knowledge” and it was part of the celebrations for the 45th anniversary of the National Institute of Administration (INA) and the 50th anniversary of April 25th. The INA Prize - Best Research in Public Administration is intended to distinguish individuals whose doctoral theses have been defended at higher education institutions in Portugal in the last two years. This edition awarded the best doctoral thesis related to democracy and the modernization of the State, developed by João Reis, with the title “From research into artificial intelligence to e-Democracy: contributions to political governance and the modernization of the State”, defended in November 2023, as a doctoral student in Political Science, at the Department of Social, Political and Territorial Sciences (DCSPT) of the University of Aveiro.

On January 13, 2025, Professor João Carlos Gonçalves dos Reis successfully defended his Aggregation Test at the University of Lisbon's Higher Institute of Economics and Management (ISEG). With the theme “From Sociotechnical Systems to Sustainability: Integrating Green Practices into Military Logistics”, the defense underlined the importance of sustainable practices in military logistics, a crucial area for innovation and sustainability in the sector. Professor João Reis stressed that, although this is a significant achievement in his career, it is not just his, but that of the entire Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) team with which he collaborates, reflecting his commitment to academic excellence and innovative research in the areas of IEM. According to him, this is yet another validation of the credibility of the work carried out by the RCM2+ team at Lusófona University, which not only enriches the academic field, but also reinforces the commitment to innovation and sustainability in the field of logistics management, particularly in military logistics.

On November 18, the DeepTechLab team from the RCM2+ Research Centre organized the CATCHER project review meeting at the Lusófona University in Lisbon, which was attended by representatives from the European Union and the project's international partners. CATCHER (Creating an Innovative Technology for Converting Renewable Energy from “Humidity to Electricity”) is a project funded by the European Innovation Council (ERC) and coordinated by Lusófona University. The RP2 review meeting brought together team leaders from the consortium, two CEI officials, four scientific monitors and an expert from the Innovation Radar to assess CATCHER's progress. The event included detailed presentations on the progress made by the project partners, as well as a live demonstration of the innovative device developed. Issues related to technological, environmental and socio-economic feasibility were discussed, as well as dissemination efforts and innovation potential. The experts and stakeholders took part in question and answer sessions, addressing challenges and reviewing the milestones achieved, with a focus on alignment with the project's objectives. The meeting culminated with a feedback session highlighting the successes achieved and outlining the next steps as the project moves towards its completion in March 2026.

The startup CascataChuva, a member of the CATCHER project consortium, has been nominated for the “Sustainability Technology” category in the Innovation Radar Awards. Following the public vote to select the finalists at the end of September, it was recently announced that CascataChuva is among the finalists. The CATCHER project, under development at the RCM2+ Research Center and coordinated by Lusófona University, focuses on the development of an innovative technology to exploit atmospheric humidity and convert it directly into electricity. This innovation aims to make efficient use of a new sustainable source of energy, reinforcing the EU's leadership in renewable energies. Since 2015, the European Commission has awarded the Innovation Radar Prize annually to exceptional EU-funded innovators, highlighting promising innovations that are making the transition from the laboratory to the market. Nominees are selected on the basis of data collected by the Innovation Radar, which identifies innovators with high market potential. This year, the 10th edition of the Innovation Radar Award will be celebrated in Lisbon, together with the Europas 100 Hottest Startups awards. During the event, 12 startups, including CascataChuva, will present their innovations, competing in 3 categories. The event will feature panels and talks from leading experts in the EU startup ecosystem. In addition, innovators competing for the Prize will also be able to compete for the Europas 100 Awards. Stay tuned and mark your calendar: November 11 at La Destillerie in Alfama, Lisbon

On October 7, the launch meeting of the new E-NOSE Project took place in Novi Sad, Serbia. E-NOSE is a project funded by the European Union (REA) and coordinated by the Novi Sad Faculty of Technology at the University of Novi Sad. DeepTechLab, part of the RCM2+ Research Center at Universidade Lusófona, is part of the project's international consortium and was represented by professors and researchers Svitlana Lyubchyk, Sergiy Lyubchyk and Andriy Lyubchyk. E-NOSE (Acquisition and Modification of Hierarchically Nanostructured Oxide Active Materials for Advanced Biological Gas Sensor Project) aims to develop state-of-the-art gas sensors using cutting-edge nanotechnology: highly sensitive and fast “Electronic Nose” devices. But the project goes beyond sensor development - it also envisions a new global security system that integrates these sensors into mobile communication devices, enabling highly localized detection of threats such as epidemic outbreaks, fires and terrorist activities. This project involves multiple European and international partners (research institutions, companies and universities), who were present at the meeting, such as: Novi Sad Faculty of Technology (Serbia), NanoTechCenter (Ukraine), Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University (Turkey), Nanomaterials Research & Development (Poland), DeepTechLab Association (Portugal), NanoPhoenix (Italy), Institute of Materials Science of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan), Institute of Radiation Problems (Azerbaijan) and the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Sports Medicine (Uzbekistan). At the meeting, various conditions inherent in the partnership between the organizations were discussed, as well as future networking events necessary for the continuation of the project. This meeting was also especially important for coordinating the partners and the tasks to be carried out by each of them in order to reach important milestones in the field of research, as well as for discussing the next steps to be taken in the project.

The RCM2+ Research Center is proud to announce that two of its researchers have been ranked among the top 2% of the world's most influential scientists in 2024. RCM2+ researchers João Reis (Economics and Management) and Rui Cunha Marques (Environmental Science and Engineering) are among the 9 researchers from Lusófona University's Research Centers on the list of the world's most influential. The study report, carried out by Stanford University (USA) in collaboration with the publisher Elsevier, based on SCOPUS - the world's largest database of abstracts and citations of scientific publications until August 2024 - provides standardized information on citations, h-index, hm-index adjusted by co-authorship, citations of articles in different positions of authorship and a composite indicator. This edition of the “World's Top 2% Scientists 2024” includes 889 researchers linked to Portuguese institutions, 9 of whom are associated with Lusófona University Research Centers. This prestigious recognition highlights the contribution of RCM2+ and Universidade Lusófona to cutting-edge research and innovation.

Between September 16 and 19, 2024, João Reis, Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management and Senior Researcher at the RCM2+ Center, participated in the VIII International Congress of Scientific Knowledge (VIII CICC), held at the CENSA Higher Education Institutes (ISECENSA), one of the largest private universities in Brazil. The International Congress of Scientific Knowledge, organized every three years at ISECENSA, is a space for debate, the exchange of knowledge and the dissemination of cutting-edge research, with the aim of improving teaching and learning and training professionals prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. In 2024, the event explored how sciences and technologies are transforming scientific research, academic practices and society, encouraging reflection on ethical, social and environmental aspects, as well as promoting debate on the use of these innovations to create sustainable, peaceful and inclusive solutions to global challenges. Professor João Reis presented an international lecture in which he detailed the research of the RCM2+ Research Center in the field of Artificial Intelligence applied to Engineering, with an emphasis on the results published by the Center. He also gave a three-hour mini-course aimed at engineering students, highlighting RCM2+'s scientific output in this area and its innovative applications in engineering contexts. The international nature of the event was evidenced by the presence of 521 external representatives from various universities, including Lusófona, the University of Lisbon and the University of Illinois (USA), totaling 2,977 participants. It was four days of intense immersion in knowledge, networking and valuing knowledge.

On the 21st of March, the Mid-term meeting of the EWALD project took place in Brussels – a project funded by the European Executive Research Agency of the European Commission, and coordinated by Professor Svitlana Lyubchyk. The project’s main objective is to develop an innovative framework to provide an Early Warning System (EWS) and responses to the Land Degradation threatening the EU from its external border, using multi-source and multi-scale Earth Observation (EO) data. Land degradation (LD) is the world's greatest environmental challenge affecting the environment, agriculture, and human wellbeing. Intensified by natural disasters and desertification, the LD may present potential risks and socioeconomic tension at the European Union (EU) frontier. In the mid-term meeting, the main progresses of the project were presented by all the teams of the Consortium related to the Work Packages of theirs responsibility, including: Technologies; Capacity Building; Strategies and Management. All teams COFAC (PT), RHEINISCHE FRIEDRICH-WILHELMS-UNIVERSITAT BONN (DE), SCIENTIFIC CENTRE FOR AEROSPACE RESEARCH OF THE EARTH OF THE INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCE (UA), ZILINSKA UNIVERZITA V ZILINE (SK), LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ECOMM CO( UA), RESOURCE ENGENEERING COMPANY (MA), UNIVERSITE CADI AYYAD (MA) of the Consortium were represented in the meeting, either in presence or online.

On the 27th and 28th of May, the Mid-term Meeting of the Aqua Synapse project took place in Cavtat, Croatia. Aqua Synapse is a project funded by the European Executive Research Agency of the European Commission, and coordinated by Professor Sergiy Lyubchyk from Lusófona University. The main idea of the Aqua Synapse project is to establish the mechanistic basis of the positive health effects of deuterium depleted water. The isotope content of drinking water has been shown to possibly have implications to many diseases, such as cancer - while high concentrations of deuterium may induce mitochondrial dysfunction, and even lead to cell death, lower concentrations (deuterium depleted water), however, appear to have positive effects in human health and seem to represent a safe intervention with few, if any, side effects – but remains unclear at what concentrations the positive metabolic and behavioral effects become apparent. The project aims to verify this hypothesis and develop mechanisms to measure the health benefits of deuterium-poor water. In the mid-term meeting, the main progresses of the project were presented by all the teams of the Consortium related to the Work Packages (WP) of their responsibility, including: deuterium metabolic spectroscopy and deuterium metabolic imaging (WP1); deuterium impacting excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance in a human neuronal network model system (WP2); evaluation of effects of deuterium depletion in animal models of metabolic syndrome (WP3); evaluation of impact deuterium depletion in animal models of aging (WP4); production of deuterium depleted and control water samples, control of deuterium content in experimental tissue (WP5). The progresses of Lusófona University’s coordination team on project management were also discussed, particularly related to the communication and dissemination plan of the project and the data management plan (WP6). All teams from the Consortium were represented in the meeting, either in presence or online, namely: COFAC (Portugal), University of Oxford (England); University of Würzburg (Germany); Institute of Molecular Medicine João Lobo Antunes (Portugal); HYDLLC for Cancer Research and Drug Development (Hungary).

On 10th of June, the Mid-term Meeting of the INNMEDSCAN project took place in Prague, Czech Republic. INNMEDSCAN is a project funded by the European Executive Research Agency of the European Commission, and coordinated by Professor Svitlana Lyubchyk from Lusófona University. The INNMEDSCAN project aims to develop a highly requested equipment in medical markets, a Hybrid Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Positron Emission Tomography (PET-MRI) Scanner. For this, the partners aim to design and produce a novel highly sensitive semiconductor-based photodetector, followed by the elaboration of the working prototype detector’s module suitable for elaboration of next generation of the hybrid PET-MRI scanners. In the mid-term meeting, the main advancements of the project were presented by all the teams of the Consortium related to the Work Packages (WP) of their responsibility, namely: Innovative Detectors Design and Production in Pilot Scale; Evaluation of the working Parameters of innovative Photodetectors; Electronic module’s Components Manufacture and Testing and Software development; Assembled the Detector’s Module for innovative PET/MRI Hybrid Scanners; Prototype Detector’s Module Testing & Validation. Moreover, the progress of Lusófona University’s coordination team on project management was also presented, with a focus on the communication and dissemination plan of the project and the data management plan. All teams from the Consortium were represented in the meeting, either in presence or online, namely: COFAC (Portugal), Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University (Turkey), Czech Technical University in Prague (Czech Republic); University of West Bohemia (Czech Republic); CascataChuva (Portugal); Institute for Nuclear Research of NAS of Ukraine (Ukraine); National Nuclear Research Center CJSC (Azerbeijan); Institute of Radiation Problems of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (Azerbeijan).

From the 1st to the 3rd of July, the Summer School of the project PhytoAPP took place at Lusófona University, in Lisbon. PhytoAPP is a project funded by the European Executive Research Agency of the European Commission, and coordinated by Professor Sergiy Lyubchyk from Lusófona University. Throughout the three days, the PhytoAPP Summer School featured a session of in-person and online lectures and practical sessions at Deep Tech Lab. Overall, the Summer School was a platform for participants to engage in the project, share ideas, and complement their theoretical and practical knowledge in the field. There were a total of nine lectures given by experts in the field from different countries, such as Professor Azer Zadigov (National Nuclear Research Center CJSC, AZ), Professor Daniel Anthony (Oxford University, UK), Professor Ziraddin Zadigov (National Nuclear Research Center CJSC, AZ), Professor Nurbol Appazov (Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University, KZ), Professor Tatiana Strekalova (Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University, KZ), Professor Gabor Somlyai (HYD LLC for Cancer Research and Drug Development, HU), Professor Katarina Siposova (Institute of Experimental Physics, SK) and Dr. Anastasia Tmur (YANDEX, NL). The lectures, which included Q&A and discussion sessions, covered a range of different and very interesting topics related to Medical Science: 1. Radiation benefits and risks for health; 2. Modern trends in Nuclear Medicine; 3. Navigating the Blood-Brain Barrier: Strategies and Challenges in Drug Delivery; 4. Prospects for avalanche electronics and its application in medical devices; 5. Potential Use of Camelthorn (Alhagi Pseudalhagi) Medicinal Plant Extracts in the Prevention and Treatment of Early-Stage Atherosclerosis; 6. New treatments with phytochemicals in mouse models of Parkinson and Alzheimer’s diseases; 7. Role of naturally occurring deuterium in cancer growth and prevention; 8. Amyloid Paradigm: From Pathological Structures to Functional Bionanomaterials; 9. AI in Drug Discovery: Accelerating the Path to Cures. Generally, as a project, the main purpose of the PhytoAPP is the design, development and delivery of innovative water-soluble Phytochemical Inhibitors for Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases prevention, by exploring the innovative nanotechnological solutions to overcome the challenge related to the phytochemical’s limitation on to their low water-solubility. Find more in the project's website!

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