Science Project Leaders

Sensors in biological systems.
Sara loves to get to the bottom of life's questions. When? how? why? drive her curiosity in brain research, where she tries to understand the rhythms of day and night. Sara seeks beauty in science and nature. As an award-winning author, she also finds beauty in literature. This journey into the creative world became her bridge to Science Xplore.
Sara Bernardez
University of Zurich
Biochemistry & physics underlying molecular gastronomy
Steven Brown is a trained Biochemist and a distinguished Professor of Circadian Biology and Sleep at the University of Zurich. He is also in the Scientific Advisory board of Science Xplore.
Patrycja Paruch is a renowned Physicist and Professor at the University of Geneva.
Prof. Steven Brown
Prof. Patrycja Paruch
University of Zurich
University of Geneva
Chemistry of molecular gastronomy
Margarida is a Pharmacist with also dual Masters in Gastronomic Sciences and Occupational Risk Prevention. She is currently completing her PhD in the topic of Food Heritages: Cultures and Identities. She has collaborated with educational institutions to realize several workshops and courses. Her current research interests are related to the history of food, the influence of food on health, physical and emotional well-being, food as medicine, and gastronomic sciences. She is also owner of Desnorte restaurant in Bairro Alto Lisbon.
Margarida Mota
Proprietor, DesNorte Lisbon
Robotic electronic sensors
Mateus is an Entrepreneur and Software Engineer, working in research and development of products (applications and games) for mobile devices (smartphone and tablets). He has a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science and a Master Degree in Mobile Computing. He is passionate about science outreach and teaching, game development and robotics outreach for children and youth.
Mateus Alves Victorelli
Freelance Entrepreneur, Guarda

Chemical sensing
Olga obtained her PhD in Chemistry from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan in 2017. Olga has diverse international experience: Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (Barcelona, Spain), School of Materials, (University of Manchester, UK), Procter & Gamble Research & Development (Brussels Innovation Center).
She is currently a post-doctoral scholar at University of Aveiro, Portugal.
Dr. Olga Kaczerewska
University of Aveiro
Chemical sensing
Anna is a Materials Science Engineer working in the field of electroceramics and advanced sintering techniques of lead-free piezoceramic materials for electronics. She is currently a member of Paula Vilarinho’s Electroceramics Research Group at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. Besides the interest in science and technology, anna is passionate about travelling, photography and graphic design.
Dr. Anna Wlódarkiewicz
University of Aveiro
Art Project Leaders
Culinary Art
Joaquin Saavedra
Joaquin originates from Montevideo Uruguay and currently works as a professional Chef in Switzerland since 2010. He is the Chef de Partie at two restaurants (Restaurant Viaduct & Restaurant Konter) that are part of Stiftung Netzwerk. He has a special fondness for Italian food, hiking, photography and reading books (mostly cooking books).
Culinary Art
André Candeias
André was born in Almada, Portugal. and studied Design and Marketing, however his biggest passion was and still is Cooking. In 2012 he started a new career as a professional chef. He currently is the head Chef at Octapharma in Switzerland.
In 2016 André initiated his project "Farm to Table", and in 2018, together with his wife André co-founded the company Urban Markt. Creativity and enthusiasm characterises him, everyday things inspire and arouse his curiosity.
Dançando com a Diferença, Viseu
Ricardo Meireles
With a degree in Environmental Engineering, Ricardo discovered contemporary dance in 2013 and has since invested in the development of his training and artistic experience with projects carried out with choreographers André Mesquita, Henrique Amoedo and Rui Lopes Graça. The New Circus, Music and Theatre are also part of his interests, having participated in workshops with different artists. Since September 2017 he has coordinated, under the direction of Henrique Amoedo, the activities of Dançando com a Differença - Viseu.
Art and senses
Fátima Teles
Fátima is from Penedono, Portugal, and has a degree in Fine Arts – Painting from the Escola Superior de Technologia, Tomar. She later worked as a teacher of Plastic Expression and Visual Education.
She got her inspiration from post-renaissance painting, specifically the Fibonacci series and the subsequent geometry developed by painters of that period. She has sculptures and installations where she gives priority to mirror and glass for its ability to reproduce space as an infinite element, with depth.
Guest Lectures
University of Zurich
Sara Bernardez
Sensors in biological systems.
Sara loves to get to the bottom of life's questions. When? how? why? drive her curiosity in brain research, where she tries to understand the rhythms of day and night. Sara seeks beauty in science and nature. As an award-winning author, she also finds beauty in literature. This journey into the creative world became her bridge to Science Xplore.
Restaurant Viaduct, Zürich
Restaurant Konter, Wetzikon
Joaquin Saavedra
Culinary Art
Joaquin originates from Montevideo Uruguay and currently works as a professional Chef in Switzerland since 2010. He is the Chef de Partie at two restaurants (Restaurant Viaduct & Restaurant Konter) that are part of Stiftung Netzwerk. He has a special fondness for Italian food, hiking, photography and reading books (mostly cooking books).
OctaPharma, Switzerland
André Candeias
Culinary Art
André was born in Almada, Portugal. and studied Design and Marketing, however his biggest passion was and still is Cooking. In 2012 he started a new career as a professional chef. He currently is the head Chef at Octapharma in Switzerland.
In 2016 André initiated his project "Farm to Table", and in 2018, together with his wife André co-founded the company Urban Markt. Creativity and enthusiasm characterises him, everyday things inspire and arouse his curiosity.
Dançando com a Differença
Ricardo Meireles
Dancing with an Engineering Degree
With a degree in Environmental Engineering, Ricardo discovered contemporary dance in 2013 and has since invested in the development of his training and artistic experience with projects carried out with choreographers André Mesquita, Henrique Amoedo and Rui Lopes Graça. The New Circus, Music and Theatre are also part of his interests, having participated in workshops with different artists. Since September 2017 he has coordinated, under the direction of Henrique Amoedo, the activities of Dançando com a Differença - Viseu.
University of Aveiro
Dr. Olga Kaczerewska
Chemical Sensing
Olga obtained her PhD in Chemistry from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan in 2017. Olga has diverse international experience: Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (Barcelona, Spain), School of Materials, (University of Manchester, UK), Procter & Gamble Research & Development (Brussels Innovation Center).She is currently a post-doctoral scholar at University of Aveiro, Portugal.
Art and senses
Fátima Teles
Fátima is from Penedono, Portugal, and has a degree in Fine Arts – Painting from the Escola Superior de Technologia, Tomar. She later worked as a teacher of Plastic Expression and Visual Education.She got her inspiration from post-renaissance painting, specifically the Fibonacci series and the subsequent geometry developed by painters of that period. She has sculptures and installations where she gives priority to mirror and glass for its ability to reproduce space as an infinite element, with depth.
ADOT Association, Guarda
Mateus Alves Victorelli
Mateus is an Entrepreneur and Software Engineer, working in research and development of products (applications and games) for mobile devices (smartphone and tablets). He has a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science and a Master Degree in Mobile Computing. He is passionate about science outreach and teaching, game development and robotics outreach for children and youth as part of Adot Association.
President ACAPO
Sara S. Lourenço
Blindness and sensory perceptions
Sara was born in Moimenta da Beira. She worked as a midwife nurse in Porto Santo António hospital, in a mobile van in Leomil and at the Health center of Mangualde. At 74, she became blind and needed a computer keyboard to be independent. At that point she got in touch with ACAPO (association of blind and amblyope of Portugal) and since then she is a member. In 2012, she became the president of ACAPO of the delegation of Viseu.