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Core Team, Mission Control and Medical Team

Core Team Bio & Links

CAMões CREW

 

Ana Pires

CAMões Crew Zero | Commander and Geotechnical Engineer
Portugal

Ana is Commander of CAMões Crew Zero and an Assistant Researcher at INESC TEC (ISEP pole), a Portugal‑based institute specializing in robotics and autonomous systems. Her work focuses on land‑based and aquatic robotic technologies for geoscientific exploration and discovery. With over 21 years of experience in applied geosciences and geoengineering experimentation, she brings strong interdisciplinary expertise at the interface of Earth sciences and advanced technologies. Ana supports CAMões | Azores in geotechnical and geospatial research, and the high‑impact communication of research outcomes.

 

 

Yvette Gonzalez

CAMões Crew Zero | CEO and Human‑Factors and Climate researcher
USA

Yvette is Chief Executive Officer of CAMões Crew Zero, with over 25 years of experience working in war and conflict zones and in Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments worldwide. Her work focuses on conflict resolution, human resilience, and the human dimensions of climate research. She is a Visiting Researcher at the University of Plymouth’s Oral Health and Clinical Epidemiology Research Group, where she develops human‑subjects research. Yvette’s PhD research explores the intersection of human performance, health, and environmental empathy, contributing to climate adaptation and resilience strategies. She supports CAMões | Azores in human‑factors and climate research.

Aidyl Gonzalez-Serricchio

CAMões Crew Zero | Astrobiologist
USA

Aidyl is a Research Scientist at Caltech (USA) with experience in space research analogs, primarily focused on astrobiology. She earned her doctorate in Molecular Genetics from the California Institute of Technology and completed postdoctoral research on myotonic dystrophy at the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the University of California, where she gained experience in translational research. Her work bridges molecular biology and extreme‑environment science. Aidyl is also active in science communication and outreach, with a focus on biosciences education for space and planetary research. She supports CAMões | Azores in molecular genetics, soil health, and microbiological research.

 

Pedro Marques-Quinteiro

CAMões Crew Zero | Psychologist and Health Officer
Portugal

Pedro is an Associate Professor at Lusófona University (Lisbon, Portugal) and an Organizational Psychologist with over 13 years of experience working in high‑reliability organizations and extreme work environments. His work focuses on human performance, teamwork, and behavioral dynamics under conditions of risk, isolation, and uncertainty. In March 2018 and February 2020, he led two scientific expeditions to King George Island, Antarctica, to study teamwork in Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments. Pedro supports CAMões | Azores in human‑performance and behavioral research and serves as the Health Officer liaison with the medical team at mission control.

Rui Moura

CAMões Crew Zero | Geophysicist
Portugal

Rui is an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro (Portugal) and a Geophysicist with over 32 years of experience in geophysics and geological engineering. His research spans applied geophysics and planetary geology, with applications in mineral exploration, groundwater studies, engineering, archaeology, environmental subsurface contamination, natural hazards, and forensic investigations. His work integrates advanced geophysical methods to characterize complex subsurface environments across both scientific and applied fields. Rui supports CAMões | Azores in applied geophysics, geospatial, and geohazards research.

Helder I. Chaminé

CAMões Crew Zero | Field Geologist
Portugal

Helder is a multidisciplinary geoscience expert and Professor of Engineering Geosciences at ISEP | P.Porto, with over 35 years of experience. His expertise spans GIS‑based mapping for structural and applied geology, geotechnics and geohazards, engineering geosciences and hydrogeomechanics, mining and subterranean geology, hard‑rock hydrogeology, and water resources. His research and professional interests also include geomining heritage, geoethics, the history of cartography, military geosciences, higher‑education dissemination, and geo‑professional core values. Helder supports CAMões | Azores in applied geosciences mapping, geomechanics, and geohazards research.

Paul Niel

CAMões Crew Zero | Logistics and Safety Officer
Austria

Paul is an explorer, adventurer, and certified drone pilot. He has led and organized more than 15 expeditions across all continents, operating in some of the world’s most extreme and challenging environments. Paul holds a degree in Statistics and Data Science from the University of Vienna and is an alumnus of Singularity University, where he developed an interdisciplinary approach to technology, exploration, and complex problem-solving. Within CAMões | Azores, Paul provides critical support in logistics, safety, and operational planning, bringing extensive field experience, technical expertise, and strong coordination skills to ensure mission efficiency and safety.


CAMões MISSION CONTROL

 

Paulo Barcelos

CAMões Mission Control | Senior Speleologist and Safety Coordinator

Paulo is the Chair of the Board of Associação Os Montanheiros, the organization that manages Natal Cave. With over 28 years of experience in speleology, he has extensively explored lava tubes and caves across the Azores archipelago. He is actively involved in teaching speleology and cave safety, promoting best practices in underground operations. Within CAMões | Azores, Paulo serves in Mission Control as Coordinator Officer, supporting liaison with the Azorean Regional Government and the Municipality of Angra do Heroísmo. His work ensures that mission operations are safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible.

Joāo Carlos Nunes

CAMões Mission Control | Senior Geologist and Volcanologist officer

João Carlos is an Assistant Professor at the University of the Azores and coordinates Azores‑based education and outreach programmes, fostering engagement of educators and students in CAMões’ research and exploration activities. Currently, he serves as Scientific Director of INOVA – Azores Institute of Technological Innovation, is a co‑founder of the Azores Geopark (UNESCO Global Geopark), and a member of the Board of ENTA – School of New Technologies of the Azores. Within CAMões | Azores, João Carlos contributes volcanological and seismic expertise, as well as strong regional engagement, through Mission Control.

 

Slavka Andrejkovičová

CAMões Mission Control | Geochemist and backup Crew Zero member

Slavka is a skilled geochemist and nuclear chemistry expert specializing in astrogeology and geomaterials. She is an Assistant Investigator at the GeoBioTec Research Unit (University of Aveiro) and a Specialist Expert Scientist with NASA’s Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) team at the Goddard Space Flight Center, as well as a collaborator at the NASA Goddard Center for Astrobiology. Within CAMões | Azores, she supports the development of geochemical protocols, mineralogical investigations, and microbial life studies, contributing critical expertise to analog research and Mission Control operations. She also served as a backup Crew Zero member, receiving mission-specific training in support of crew readiness and scientific integration.

 

Paulino Costa

CAMões Mission Control | Senior Geologist

Paulino is a skilled geologist specialized in volcanic regions and serves as an officer at the Azores Regional Directorate for the Environment, based on Pico Island (Azores). Through CAMões | Azores, he contributes essential volcanological expertise and supports scientific operations within Mission Control at Gruta do Natal (Natal Cave). His work strengthens the integration of environmental management, volcanic risk awareness, and speleological mapping within subterranean volcanic environments. Paulino’s expertise supports safe, regulated, and environmentally responsible mission activities.

 

Salomé Meneses

CAMões Mission Control | Geologist

Salomé began her career at the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Center (CIVC), later serving for four years as its Coordinator. Since 2013, she has collaborated with the Azores Geopark in environmental education, conservation, and planning. She is currently a senior technical officer at the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change and serves as Executive Coordinator of the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark, contributing geological expertise and regional coordination through CAMões | Azores Mission Control.

 


CAMões MEDICAL TEAM

 

Pedro Caetano

CAMões Medical Team | MD – Space Medicine & Medical Team Coordinator

Pedro is a medical doctor and co‑founder of Planet Explorers, a company that has provided medical support for operations in extreme environments since 2017. His experience includes expeditions to the Arctic, Patagonia, and high‑altitude mountain regions, supporting medical safety and human performance in remote and challenging settings. Within CAMões | Azores, Pedro coordinates the Medical Team and supports liaison with Mission Control, contributing to human performance monitoring and space medicine–related research. He brings strong clinical expertise, extensive operational experience, and a focused commitment to health and safety in extreme environments.

 

Eva Lima

CAMões Medical Team | MD

Eva earned her medical degree from NOVA Medical School and in 2022 completed her Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency in Hospital Santa Maria, Lisbon, where she currently works as a Physiatrist. She holds a postgraduate degree in Sports Medicine and is the current Team Physician of Women’s Under 17 National Football Team. She cooperates with the Space Medicine Study Group of Lisbon Medical School (CEMA) as a researcher and Free Assistant in the Space Medicine unit focusing on the effects of microgravity on the musculoskeletal system.

Carolina Moreira

CAMões Medical Team | MD

Carolina is a medical doctor specialized in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, with formal training in Aerospace Medicine through programs with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). She currently works in clinical research in Aerospace Medicine at the MEDES Institute in Toulouse, France, and is a professor in the Aerospace Medicine Unit at ICBAS, University of Porto. She holds a postgraduate degree in Sports Medicine and has extensive experience providing medical support in extreme environments, including expeditions to the North Pole and high‑altitude regions.

Andreia Magalhães Oliveira

CAMões Medical Team | MD

Andreia grew up in Amarante and later moved to Porto, where she studied Medicine. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Computational Neuroscience, dividing her time between Porto and Berlin. Alongside her research, she has a strong interest in medicine in extreme environments, with a particular focus on space medicine. She is also engaged in health policy issues, especially those related to equitable and fair access to healthcare.

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