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 cycles of basic education, where they presented what research can explain about the importance of physical activity, the impact of nutrition, and how to transform food waste into sustainable gummies, addressing topics such as chemical reactions, textures, and the properties of foods.
The main goal of the session “Challenges of Knowledge Transfer in the Health Area” was to promote an open and direct discussion on how research carried out in higher education can reach people more effectively and create real impact. The session was led by Eduarda Fernandes, President of Startup Leiria and Director of the Knowledge Sharing and Valorization Center at the Polytechnic of Leiria.
At schools, Maria João Batalha and Sónia Santos addressed the topic of physical activity, as well as its limits and benefits, according to what science reveals. Neuza Barros and Rita Novo also brought to the school context a relevant and sensitive topic for younger adolescents: nutrition and body image, where research fellows shared different ideas and debunked others surrounding eating disorders.
Research fellow Solange Castanheira had the mission of explaining to a young audience how fruits that would otherwise go to waste can be transformed into tasty and nutritious gummies.
Maria Guarino highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers, healthcare professionals, regulatory experts, designers, and clinical researchers in turning technological ideas into real-world solutions. She also emphasized the role of software development in improving treatment and prevention strategies.
This week was also marked by the presence of the President of the Portuguese Order of Nutritionists, Liliana Sousa, who had the opportunity to learn about the Health Innovation Hub, its projects, and the members who dedicate their research work to nutrition and health promotion.
Science and Technology Week once again brought scientists closer to the community and helped demystify ideas about the world of scientific research.
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