Vera Pires (PI) holds a PhD in Materials Engineering (2013 – Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal). Her PhD work was focused on studying the impact of several actions such as high temperature, SO2, Salt, thermal shock and freeze-thaw in the physical-mechanical behaviour of natural stones building facade systems and the main output resulted in specific safety factors that allowed adjusted and specific cladding dimensioning analysis for the studied stones (limestones, marble and granite). After 11 years of extensive experience working with the natural stone industry, she joined Évora University in 2020 as an Assistant Researcher where she is an integrated member at HERCULES laboratory. She is co-responsible for a Natural stone physical-mechanical laboratory (LEM) at Évora University and she is involved in more than 5 research projects. Vera’s research activities are focused on the experimental study and development of predictive dimensioning methods that help anticipate changes in construction and natural stone materials. Minimizing anomalies and early replacement of materials by identifying potential risk situations for users. Her research activities have consequences on the global natural stone materials industry and product competitiveness associated with stone heritage.
Fabio Sitzia (co-PI) has a PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (2020) and a MSc in Geological Technologies and Sciences (2013) from Università degli Studi di Cagliari Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Italy. His recent scientific contributions have allowed him to contribute to our current knowledge on “mineral geo-resources and mineralogical-petrographic applications for the environment and Cultural Heritage”. His first main contribution is the research paper “The ancient pozzolanic mortars and concrete of Heliocaminus baths in Hadrian’s Villa”. This research allowed him to work in a UNESCO site. The accumulated experience allowed him to get a working position at the archaeological site of Pompeii. This knowledge was useful in developing his following work “Ancient restoration and production technologies of Roman mortars from monuments placed in hydrogeological risk areas: a case study” (2020). Fabio is an integrated member of HERCULES laboratory (since 2020) and his research is focused on understanding how climate change affects natural stone and other geo-materials.
José Mirão Graduated in Geology from the University of Lisbon, with a PhD and Habilitation in Geology from the University of Évora. He is the Director of the HERCULES Laboratory and is responsible for several courses in Earth Sciences and Archaeology. Specialist in Cultural Heritage Materials, mineralogy, geochemistry and solid-state analytical techniques (e.g. XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, LA-ICP-MS, optical microscopy), his main areas of research have included the study of Earth Materials (i.e. sediments, soils, natural stone and ore deposits), historical mortars and renders, archaeological ceramics and ancient tile glazes. He is the co-author of more than 150 Scopus peer-review research papers and the editor of one book. He has extensive experience in the coordination of collaborative projects, including between academia and industry.
Luís Dias’s research career is mainly focused on the study and valorization of natural stones and cultural heritage. During his PhD thesis, granted with a PhD fellowship from FCT, he studied the weathering phenomena of natural stone through the characterization of its colour change mechanisms, in historic and contemporaneous contexts. The work performed has triggered the development and execution of innovative projects in the natural stone research area where Évora University is the leading entity. He received two best communication awards at international conferences as the main author, and recently the Portuguese Society of Microbiology distinguished him with a Young Career Scientist Grant. His scientific track record comprises 51 peer-reviewed publications, 40 in SCI journals and 8 book chapters. He has >90 contributions to scientific congresses. Currently, he is an integrated member of the HERCULES Laboratory and an associated member of the European Geosciences Union (EGU), and is involved in 6 research projects, including one as the Co-PI.
Luis Lopes is a Bachelor and Master in Geology (1988, 1995, University of Lisbon, Portugal) PhD in Geology (2004, University of Évora, Portugal). Since May 26, 2020, President of the Portuguese Association of Geologists; 2015-2019 Head of the Geosciences Department; 2014 to present, full member of Earth Sciences Institute (ICT/FCT); 2009-2021 Director of the Bachelor in Geological Engineering; since January 1, 2017, Portugal Mineral Resources Cluster Association board of directors; 2007 to present Geological Engineering master’s degree deputy; 1988 junior geologist (COGEMA); Publications (papers and proceedings) 150; MSc Thesis supervised 17; Participations in PhD and MSc Thesis scoreboard jury’s 36; Book published 1; Manuscripts review 30; Lectures as guest speaker 35.
Collaboration
Catarina Pinheiro is a pharmacist and a conservator-restorer with a PhD in Conservation Science. Presently, she is based as a researcher at the HERCULES Laboratory where she is focused on assessing the working conditions of conservators-restorers, determining the main risks for every speciality, improving their knowledge of mitigation strategies and promoting the adoption of more sustainable products. Catarina Pinheiro has published more than 20 papers in specialized peer-reviewed journals and is the author/co-author of seven book chapters. She has also been directly involved in the organizing and scientific committees of international symposia. Throughout her career, the researcher has assumed teaching roles and is an enthusiast of new and more engaging options to deliver information to both students and the general public. Given her special interest in the field of science communication, she has created several animated formats, mostly directed at younger audiences, with the goal of bringing science closer to this age group. She has been developing and increasing her skills within this area and is presently responsible for this website and contributor to the project’s content dissemination through the media.
Consultants
Samuel Neves is Managing Diretor of ARROW4D – Consultores de Engenharia e Geofísica, Lda. Évora, Portugal. Recognized as one of the most promising experts in stone digital analysis and monitoring through artificial intelligence, artificial vision, and graphical interface analysis. Excellent connections with the stone industry. Participation in several R&D projects for the stone industry: development of new tools and non-destructive digital methods to identify natural stone features. As a consultant, Samuel will provide technical support on the new bowing experimental set-up adjustments calibration of the measurement of the thermal gradient and bowing measuring systems through laser. He will also give technical support to project outputs.
Bruno Miglio is Managing Director of FMDC – Facade and materials Consultants, London. Bruno has excellent connections with developers and the stone industry. He has carried out quarry visits and marble facade inspections worldwide and remains actively involved in the selection of materials for facades. As a consultant project, Bruno will work on the marble bowing effect in flexural strength results analysis, specific marble strength decay coefficients, and technical support in project outputs- building a facade manual providing specific guidance on the design of marble facades.