João Ramalho-Santos is the Vice-Rector for Research and Director of the Interdisciplinary Research Institute at the University of Coimbra. He is a Full Professor at the Department of Life Sciences (DCV) of the Faculty of Science and Technology, teaching and conducting research in Developmental Biology, Science Communication, Bioethics, and Reproductive Biology. Member of the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, he published over 200 papers, supervised 20+ PhDs, and is in the top 2% of global researchers (Stanford list).

Alexandre Leal is the Research Management Service Director at the University of Coimbra, overseeing pre-award and post-award support and implementing institutional policies for university development through financing. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics and has solid background in leading and managing national and international funding for R&D and innovation projects. Additionally, he organizes training in research management, including non-degree courses in project management.

Marcos Gomes is an Invited Auxiliary Researcher for the RM Framework project at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (University of Coimbra). He holds a PhD in Neuroscience, experience across academia and industry, working at labs at MIT, the Broad Institute, CNC-UC and others, and contributing to key publications (e.g., Nature, Neuron). He is passionate about exploring research as a driver for innovation, policy, and lasting community impact.