CAMões Advisory Team
Fernando Pereira
Speleological Association ‘Os Montanheiros’ & University of the Azores – School of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences
Fernando is a senior speleologist and field technician at the University of the Azores, with extensive expertise in cave exploration. He works in the Department of Agrarian Sciences at the School of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences. He is an active member of the speleological association “Os Montanheiros”. He has extensive experience exploring the natural environments of the Azores. His work focuses on volcanic caves and subterranean systems. He is widely recognized for his knowledge of the Azorean underground. He contributes to the study and preservation of the region’s natural heritage.
Isabel Amorim do Rosário
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (CHANGE) & University of the Azores – School of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences
Isabel holds a degree in Biology (Zoology) from the University of Lisbon. She earned her PhD in Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a researcher at the School of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences,
University of the Azores (Angra do Heroísmo). Her work covers evolutionary biology, speciation, and phylogeography. Her research also includes phylogenetics, molecular ecology, and biodiversity conservation. She is a member of the IUCN Mid-Atlantic Island Invertebrates Specialist Group. She co-organizes the science communication event “Fala Ciência? Comunicar Ciência nos Açores”.
André Dias
INESC TEC Researcher
André holds an MSc and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. He is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Engineering (ISEP) of the Polytechnic of Porto and a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Robotics and Autonomous Systems at INESC TEC. He is the author of more than 60 publications in robotics and has been involved in several European and national research projects. His current research focuses on perception, control, and navigation methods for autonomous aerial vehicles.
João Lousada
International Space Station – European Columbus Laboratory
João holds a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. He is a Flight Director for the European Columbus module on the ISS, having led ESA missions such as Alpha (2021) and Minerva (2022). He has taken part in analog space expeditions in extreme environments, including glaciers and deserts, and served as Crew Commander for the AMADEE-20 mission with the Austrian Space Forum. He is also a certified private pilot, skydiver, and Master SCUBA diver.
Ana Malheiro
Regional Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LREC) – Azores
Ana is a geotechnical officer and Director of the Geotechnical and In Situ Investigations Department at LREC, Azores. She is a skilled geologist with over 42 years of experience in Engineering Geology, Geotechnics, and Geological Hazards. She holds a degree in Geology from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and a Master’s in Volcanology and Geological Risks from the University of the Azores. Since 1984, she has worked at LREC, leading activities in engineering geology, geotechnics, natural hazards, and risk assessment. She also served as Head of the Ports Division from 1995 to 1998.
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