PhD Day U.CESPU · MMXXVI Register
Open Call / Abstracts & Registration
VIII Edition · Issue Nº 08
— days · — hrs · — min
41.04°N · 8.41°W / Gandra, PT
PhD Day · U.CESPU A Scientific Gathering

Scientific research & the challenges of the 21st century.

A multidisciplinary approach to the questions that will define the next generation of science. The whole U.CESPU doctoral community in one room.

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§ 01 — Manifesto A day for research, made by researchers.
“

Eight editions in, PhD Day has become the annual stage on which the U.CESPU doctoral community presents itself — not as a procession of titles, but as a working laboratory of ideas in motion. The 2026 edition asks how science responds to the defining challenges of our century: artificial intelligence in research practice, translational medicine, sustainability, ethics, and the changing shape of a scientific career.

— Edition
VIII

Eighth annual gathering of doctoral candidates in Biomedical Sciences & Toxicology, with MSc & BSc students, faculty and external researchers.

— When
16Oct26

One intensive day · 08:30 → 18:00 · Friday

— Theme 2026

Scientific Research and the Challenges of the 21st Century

A multidisciplinary approach.
— Aim 01

Dissemination

Original research, presented and defended in front of peers — oral communications, poster walks, real discussion.

— Aim 02

Networking

Cross-disciplinary, cross-institutional. Collaborations begin in coffee breaks; that is by design.

— Aim 03

Communication

The written and oral skills every scientist needs to translate complex findings into impact beyond the laboratory.

§ 02 — Program One day, eight conversations.

The full day,
from opening to closing.

Morning 08:30 → 13:00
08:30

Opening of the Secretariat

Registration · poster set-up.

Reception
09:00

Opening Ceremony

Welcome address by the U.CESPU Direction & Doctoral Program coordinators.

Ceremony
09:15

PhD Round Table — "Scientific Career Challenges"

An open discussion on the realities, opportunities, and future of academic research.

Round Table
10:00
◉ Keynote I

Ethics in Scientific Writing and Research

Dra. Patrícia Sá · Universidade de Aveiro

Keynote
10:45

Coffee Break & Posters Visualization

Interactive poster session · Building 2.

Break
11:15
◉ Keynote II

Digital Literacy and the Skills required for Academic Writing

Dr. António Pedro Costa · Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação da Universidade do Porto

Keynote
12:00

Oral Communications Session

Four selected abstract submissions — CO1 / CO2 / CO3 / CO4 · 10 minutes each + Q&A.

Oral Communications
13:00

Lunch

Networking lunch.

Break
Afternoon 14:00 → 19:00
14:00
◉ Keynote III

Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Research

Dr. Filipe Teixeira Gil · Centro de Química da Universidade do Minho

Keynote
14:30
◉ Keynote IV

A Perspective on the Past, Present, and Future - Key Needs for PhD Students

Dr. Carlos Alves · University of Minho / LASI - Algoritmi Research Center

Keynote
15:00
◉ Keynote V

The AI Singularity: Acceleration, Governance and Human Responsibility

Dr. José Luís Reis · University of Maia (UMAIA) · Faculty of Business Administration, Technical University of Porto · LIACC - Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science

Keynote
15:30

Coffee Break & Final Poster Session

Last call for posters · best-of judging concludes.

Break
16:00

AI Round Table — "AI Reshaping Scientific Research"

A discussion on how AI is accelerating the next generation of scientific discovery.

Round Table
16:45
◉ Musical Moment

Musical Moment

Tuninas · Tuna Académica Feminina de Ciências da Saúde.

Music
17:15
★ Closing

Closing Ceremony & Awards Presentation

Best oral & poster awards · Group photograph · End of day.

Ceremony
§ 03 — Speakers Voices from the frontier.

Researchers, clinicians,
ethicists & industry leaders.

A curated line-up. Confirmed names will be released progressively in the months leading to the event — keep an eye on the page.

Dra. Patricia Sá
★ Keynote I

Dra. Patrícia Sá

Universidade de Aveiro · Aveiro, Portugal

“Ethics in Scientific Writing and Research”

Dr. António Pedro Costa
◉ Keynote II

Dr. António Pedro Costa

Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação da Universidade do Porto · Porto, Portugal

“Digital Literacy and the Skills required for Academic Writing”

Dr. Filipe Teixeira Gil
◉ Keynote III

Dr. Filipe Teixeira Gil

Universidade do Minho · Braga, Portugal

“Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Research”

Dr. Carlos Alves
◉ Keynote IV

Dr. Carlos Alves

University of Minho / LASI - Algoritmi Research Center

“A Perspective on the Past, Present, and Future - Key Needs for PhD Students”

Dr. José Luís Reis
◉ Keynote V

Dr. José Luís Reis

University of Maia (UMAIA) · Faculty of Business Administration, Technical University of Porto · LIACC - Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science

“The AI Singularity: Acceleration, Governance and Human Responsibility”

More to be
announced
— Coming soon

Stay tuned

Additional speakers will be revealed monthly.

Follow our channels for updates.

§ 04 — Committees The people behind the day.
01

Scientific
Committee

Curates the call for abstracts, reviews submissions and shapes the scientific program. Members from U.CESPU.

  1. 01Prof. Dra. Andrea CunhaU.CESPU
  2. 02Prof. Dra. Joana BarbosaU.CESPU
  3. 03Prof. Dra. Juliana FariaU.CESPU
  4. 04Prof. Dra. Sara RicardoU.CESPU
  5. 05Prof. Dr. Daniel BarbosaU.CESPU
  6. 06Prof. Dra. Sandra LealU.CESPU
  7. 07Prof. Dra. Maria do Carmo OlazabalU.CESPU
  8. 08Prof. Dra. Cristina XavierU.CESPU
  9. 09Prof. Dra. Ana FreitasU.CESPU
  10. 10Prof. Dra. Claúdia RibeiroU.CESPU
  11. 11Prof. Dra. Joana PrataU.CESPU
  12. 12Prof. Dra. Áurea CarvalhoU.CESPU
02

Organizing
Committee

PhD candidates and faculty who do the actual work of putting the day together — logistics, communication, partnerships, hospitality.

  1. 01Catarina Sousa★ Team Leader · Marketing
  2. 02Cristiana Cardoso★ Team Leader · Program & Registration
  3. 03Jéssica SilvaSponsorships & Partnerships
  4. 04Alexandre AleluiaScientific & Logistics
  5. 05Cristina MendesProgram & Registration
  6. 06Alexandra MalafaiaSponsorships & Partnerships
  7. 07Joana SantosSponsorships & Partnerships
  8. 08Patrícia CoutoScientific & Logistics
03

Digital & IT Support

Supporting the PhD Day through technical expertise, digital solutions, web development, and on-site IT assistance during the event.

  1. 01 Prof. Dr. Rui Azevedo U.CESPU
  2. 02 DSI - Information Systems Department U.CESPU
§ 05 — Take Part Two ways to show up.
01

Submit your
research.

Open to PhD, MSc and BSc students at U.CESPU and external institutions. The Scientific Committee selects abstracts for oral and poster presentation.

Opens
01-08-2026
Deadline
10-10-2026
Format
EN · 300 words · 1 figure
Poster size
120 × 90 cm · Portrait
Submit Abstract
Abstract Template Poster Template
02

Reserve your
seat.

Free entry for all members of the academic community. Registration is required for catering, certificates and access to the poster sessions. Limited capacity in Auditório II.

Opens
01-08-2026
Deadline
10-10-2026 or until capacity is reached
Fee
Free of charge
Certificate
Issued on request
Register Now
§ 06 — Venue Where it all happens.

Auditório II
(2002)

Building 2 · Campus Universitário de Gandra
Universidade CESPU
U.CESPU

Address
Rua Central de Gandra, 1317 · 4585-116 Gandra PRD · Portugal
Coordinates
41.04° N · 8.41° W
From Porto
~25 min · A4 motorway
From Lisbon
~3 h · A1 motorway
Parking
In and outside campus
Access
Step-free
§ 07 — Partners With the support of —