The supervision of PhD theses reflects a commitment to scientific innovation and advancing knowledge in impactful areas such as regenerative medicine, biomedical engineering, and applied health sciences. At the University of Minho, these theses explore diverse and cutting-edge topics, ranging from the creation of bioresorbable devices for urological use to the development of robotic assistance systems and innovative techniques for surgical practice. These projects, at various stages of development, aim not only to enhance existing practices but also to open new avenues for research and clinical practice, contributing to a more efficient and technologically advanced healthcare system.
PhD Thesis Supervision:
Supervision of the PhD thesis in “Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine, and Stem Cells” by Alexandre António Antunes Barros, School of Engineering, University of Minho, on “Hydrogel/aerogel bioresorbable urological stent systems based on natural polymers,” presented in 2017 with a grade of “very good.”
Supervision of the PhD thesis in “Medicine” by Domenico Veneziano, School of Medicine, University of Minho, on “Development of a Basic Skills Curriculum in Endourology for Urology Trainees,” presented on October 2, 2021, with the highest grade of “very good.”
Supervision of the PhD thesis in “Health Sciences” by João Fonseca, School of Medicine, University of Minho, on “Surgical navigation system for percutaneous renal access: electromagnetic guidance and imaging synergy,” presented on April 30, 2021, with a grade of “very good.”
Supervision of the PhD thesis in “Biomedical Engineering” by Nuno Renato Azevedo de Freitas, on “Automatic Detection of Urinary Tract Abnormalities (ADUTA),” presented in 2022 with a grade of “very good.”
Current supervision of the PhD thesis in “Medicine” by Paulo Mota, School of Medicine, University of Minho, on “Effects of Testosterone and Serotonin Pathways Modulation on Plasmatic and Prostatic Serotonin and Prostatic Growth.”
Current supervision of the PhD thesis in “Medicine” by Carlos Oliveira, School of Medicine, University of Minho, on “Development of Novel Methods and Techniques for Endoscopic and Video-assisted Closure of Viscerotomies.”
Current supervision of the PhD thesis in “Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine” by Ana Margarida Ribeiro Pacheco, on “Ureteral Stents Using Biodegradable Metals.”
Current supervision of the PhD thesis in “Applied Health Sciences” by Bruno André Pires da Silva, on “Semantic Segmentation of Tissues and Anatomical Structures in 3D Laparoscopic Videos Using Deep Learning.”
Current supervision of the PhD thesis in “Health Sciences” by Nuno Daniel da Silva Rodrigues, on “Surgical Process Modeling and Context Awareness for Smart Surgical Assistance Systems in Laparoscopic Prostatectomy.”
Current supervision of the PhD thesis in “Applied Health Sciences” by Marcos Fernández Rodríguez, on “Intelligent Robotic Assistants for Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery: Voice Recognition and Instrument Segmentation.”
Current supervision of the PhD thesis in “Applied Health Sciences” by Simão Pedro Rodrigues Valente, on “A New Smart and Intuitive Interface for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Guidance.”
Current supervision of the PhD thesis in “Applied Health Sciences” by Sérgio Filipe Gomes Pereira, on “Smart Camera Robotic Assistant for Laparoscopic Surgery.”
Supervising these theses has provided a space for continuous reflection and innovation, fostering a synergy between research, development, and practical application. The guidance of these research projects highlights the critical role of technology and advanced methods in the medical field, with the potential to transform healthcare and improve patients' quality of life. The contributions from these theses not only enrich scientific knowledge but also lay foundations for future advancements and clinical applications, solidifying the University of Minho’s position as a reference in research and development in health sciences and biomedical technologies.