LATEST NEWS

ciTechCare researcher awarded Dr. Dário Cruz honorary grant

14 April 2026

The project “Impact of an Artificial Intelligence–Supported Telerehabilitation Program in the Postoperative of Breast Cancer” was one of the winning proposals recognized by the Regional Center Branch of the Portuguese League Against Cancer in the 2025/2026 edition. The project’s principal investigator, Natália Martins, was awarded the Dr. Dário Cruz Grant on February 26—one of four honorary grants. One of the project’s main objectives is to provide specialized and personalized physiotherapy care to women selected for breast cancer surgery, thereby ensuring equitable access to oncological physiotherapy within a healthcare system facing limited resources and high clinical demand. The project proposes the

The 8th Nutrition Sciences Conference of UTAD dedicates a session to Chrononutrition

30 March 2026

Marlene Lages, recently awarded her PhD at ciTechCare, participated as an invited speaker at the 8th Nutrition Sciences Conference, organized by the Nutrition Sciences Student Association (NECN) of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, on 23 and 24 February, where she delivered the presentation entitled “Chrononutrition: the Impact of Meal Timing on Metabolic Health.” Her presentation addressed the functioning of the circadian system and underscored the importance of synchronizing biological rhythms with dietary patterns, particularly meal timing, highlighting the role of chrononutrition in the promotion of metabolic health and the prevention of chronic diseases. Evidence suggests that prolonged eating

ciTechCare receives funding to promote access and adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation

16 January 2026

The SCALE UP project – Scaling up Pulmonary Rehabilitation uptake and adherence: co-design and implementation of a hybrid intervention – was one of the 768 projects funded under the 2023 Call for Scientific Research and Technological Development (IC&DT) Projects in All Scientific Domains, from a total of 2,551 submitted applications. The project will be funded by national and European funds, with a total amount of 250,000 euros. Joana Cruz, a researcher at ciTechCare, will be the principal investigator of the project, which aims to improve access and adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), as well as to maintain its long-term benefits

ciTechCare hosts a session on Innovation in Health Data Science

27 December 2025

Rui Rijo, PhD, Adjunct Professor in Computational Sciences at the Polytechnic of Leiria and Vice President of Operations at Sound Particles, and Nádia Hipólito, a PhD student in Health Data Science, were the guests at another Science Swing session, which took place on December 11 at 5:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Health Innovation Hub – Campus 5 of the Polytechnic of Leiria. The session highlighted the current paradigm of digital transformation, in which both researchers discussed how bringing together digital transformation, data science, and healthcare can lead to more effective solutions. Nádia Hipólito and Rui Rijo also focused

Science and Technology Week returns to ciTechCare

22 December 2025

From November 24 to 30, ciTechCare joined the Ciência Viva initiative to celebrate Science and Technology Week. Throughout the week, several initiatives took place with the aim of sharing with the community who are the scientists of this research unit, what they investigate, and their contributions to a healthier, more inclusive, and more active society. Topics such as Knowledge Transfer in the Health Area and the Development of Software Used as Medical Devices were highlighted, involving several researchers and experts in the field. Several research fellows and PhD students were also at schools with students from the 2nd and 3rd

President of the Order of Nutritionists visits ciTechCare

19 December 2025

On November 25, Liliana Sousa, President of the Order of Nutritionists (ON), attended ciTechCare to meet some of the researchers, research fellows, and scientific and innovative projects currently underway in the fields of nutrition and health promotion. The visit began with a presentation of the Health Innovation Hub of the Polytechnic of Leiria, as well as its laboratories where the various ongoing projects take place, conducted by the coordinator, Maria Guarino. The main part of the visit occurred in the Hub’s auditorium, where several researchers, research fellows and students presented the projects they are involved in, in a session that