Opening session

to be announced

The Impact of Climate Change on Aviation: a review

to be announced
Aeronautical Meteorology Division, Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Portugal

Climatic Factors and Their Association with Pregnancy Loss: The Case of Cyprus

Aashna Shah (1); Souzana Achilleos* (2); Veronica A Wang (1); Michael Leung (1,3); Marc G Weisskopf (1,3); Theopisti Kyprianou (4); Petros Koutrakis (1); Stefania Papatheodorou (5)

(1) Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
(2) Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus
(3) Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
(4) Health Monitoring Unit, Ministry of Health, Nicosia, Cyprus
(5) Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA

Exposure to ambient climatic factors, such as heat exposure, during pregnancy, have been associated with various adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, there is limited research specifically examining the link between climatic factors and the risk of pregnancy loss. Therefore, we investigated the impact of climatic factors on pregnancy loss in Nicosia, Cyprus, a region significantly affected by climate change. Using data from 2014-2019, we analyzed daily birth records alongside meteorological and pollution data, including temperature, humidity, and NO2 levels. We also calculated other climatic indicators such as heat index, standard deviation of daily temperature and humidity. Employing a time-series design and distributed lag models, we examined the relationship between climatic factors and live-birth identified conceptions (LBICs) to estimate pregnancy losses. Our findings indicate that higher temperatures during gestation weeks 0-9, particularly weeks 0-1, are associated with increased pregnancy loss. A 5ºC rise in mean temperature during weeks 0-1 is associated with a decrease of 3.2 LBICs (95% CI: -1.1, -5.3). Similar effects were noted for heat index and humidity. Additionally, temperature variability appears to affect later pregnancy weeks (20-35), with the most significant impact in week 26 (-6.7 LBICs per 5ºC increase in temperature variability). Humidity variability showed a similar pattern, with the strongest effect in week 13. In summary, higher temperatures and humidity are linked to pregnancy loss in early pregnancy, while variability in these factors may influence later stages.
Acknowledgments:
This work was supported by the Cyprus Harvard Internship Program in Environmental Health, the Harvard Cyprus Endowment Fund on Environmental and Public Health, and by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) under award number ES034038 and ES000002. We also want to thank Cyprus Health Monitoring Unit and Department of Meteorology for providing the birth and meteorological data, respectively.

Practical Approaches to Mitigate Indoor Noise Levels

Stavros Stathopoulos* (1); Kyriaki Psistaki (2); Anastasia Paschalidou (2)

(1) Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution and Pollution Control Engineering of Atmospheric Pollutants, Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece
(2) Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, Orestiada, Greece

Indoor noise has a significant impact on comfort, productivity, and overall well-being in a variety of settings, including homes, classrooms, and workplaces. Here we outline several practical approaches for reducing indoor noise levels through effective design and materials. We will show how different types of windows can significantly reduce external noise intrusion and create a quieter indoor environment. In addition, the use of sound-absorbing materials such as acoustic panels, heavy curtains, etc. can effectively reduce reverberation and echo, thereby improving speech intelligibility. In commercial and educational environments, thoughtful room design can help minimize noise transmission. Arranging furniture to create sound barriers or using partitions can effectively isolate noisy areas. Incorporating soft furnishings and plants not only enhances aesthetics but also contributes to improved acoustics, while attention to mechanical systems, such as HVAC equipment, is also essential, in order to reduce operational noise. By implementing these strategies, individuals and organizations can significantly improve acoustic quality, resulting in increased productivity and well-being for all occupants.

Microbiological Indoor Air Quality at the ESTG-Leiria Campus - a case study

Microbiological Indoor Air Quality at the ESTG-Leiria Campus – A Case Study
André Fonseca1
1Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Department of Civil Engineering, ESTG - Campus 2, Morro do Lena – Alto do Vieiro, 2411-901 Leiria
*e-mail: andre.fonseca@ipleiria.pt


Abstract
Microbial air quality plays a crucial role in indoor environmental health, especially in settings like educational institutions where occupants are highly susceptible to airborne pollutants.
This study investigates the microbiological indoor air quality at the School of Technology and Management (ESTG) on the Leiria Campus, with a focus on two classrooms subject to varying occupation conditions. The aim was to assess the concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi and evaluate how these might impact the health of building occupants. High levels of bacteria and fungi are linked to respiratory and allergic conditions, underscoring the importance of routine microbial monitoring.
Air samples were collected using an impaction air sampler, which deposits microorganisms onto a general-purpose culture medium for bacteria and fungi. After incubation, colonies were enumerated to determine microbial concentrations. In addition to microbial load, the study analyzed other indoor air quality parameters, such as carbon dioxide (CO?) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which are critical indicators of air quality and correlate with occupant density and activity levels.
This research provides insight into the influence of human occupancy and environmental factors on indoor air quality, particularly microbial levels, across different classroom occupancy scenarios.

The illuminance and its relevance for a good indoor environment and well-being in HEI

Cristina Andrade (1,2,3); Rui Gonçalves (1); Francisco Carvalho (1,4)

(1) Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Natural Hazards Research Center (NHRC.ipt), Quinta do Contador, Estrada da Serra, 2300-313 Tomar, Portugal
(2) Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
(3) Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agrifood Production, Inov4Agro, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
(4) Center for Mathematics and Applications (NOVA Math), NOVA FCT, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal

To provide learning environments that are efficient, comfortable, and healthy, illumination is essential in higher education institutions (HEI). The quality and intensity of lighting in classrooms, labs, libraries, and other academic spaces are critical for students' and instructors' well-being, academic success, and visual health.
Learning is facilitated by illumination. Proper lighting improves content assimilation by allowing pupils to see instructional resources like texts and projections. Students' focus, concentration, and memory of material are all improved in classes with adequate lighting. Proper illumination lowers errors and facilitates comprehension of complicated concepts in settings like laboratories, where practical operations or university research projects are conducted for which, accuracy is crucial. In addition to lowering the chance of accidents, good lighting makes it possible to run tests more precisely and safely.
Optimized lighting in study and research spaces enables researchers and students to concentrate for prolonged periods without feeling visual discomfort. This is particularly vital in disciplines like science and engineering that require continuous concentration. Long-term eye health is protected by libraries and study spaces with adequate lighting levels, which avoid undue visual strain. Screen glare can induce visual fatigue in areas where electronic devices like computers and projectors are regularly used. This can be reduced with appropriate lighting quality and control. Furthermore, lighting affects students' motivation and emotional health. While dimly illuminated areas can cause unease and even anxiety, well-lit areas offer a feeling of coziness and security.
For illumination in learning spaces, certain guidelines and criteria depend on each country's legislation. While laboratories and libraries may need higher illumination levels, up to 500 lux, lecture rooms are often advised to have at least 300 lux. Ensuring that educational environments are safe and appropriate for learning and work requires observance of these standards. Because lighting is one of the largest energy users and HEI frequently occupies large buildings. Purchasing energy-efficient lighting equipment, including motion sensors and LED bulbs, not only enhances light quality but also lowers operating expenses and energy usage. HEI may demonstrate its environmental responsibilities and set an example of eco-friendly behaviour for students by implementing sustainable lighting solutions. In conclusion, illuminance in HEI is highly relevant since impacts learning, sustainability, health, and the general experience of all those who work and study in these spaces and goes beyond basic visibility.
Acknowledgments: Research funded by National Funds by FCT under the project UIDB/04033/2020 and LA/P/0126/2020. This research was supported by the European Union under the Breath IN Erasmus+ project 2023-1-PT01-KA220_HED-00153118.

Climate change and potential impacts in Portugal

(1) Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB). Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building, and Sustainability of Agrifood Production (Inov4Agro), Vila Real, 5000-801, Portugal
(2) Physics Department, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
(3) Natural Hazards Research Center (NHRC.ipt), Instituto Politécnico de Tomar, Quinta do Contador, Estrada da Serra, Tomar, 2300-313, Portugal

The Climate System cannot be reduced to the atmosphere, but should also incorporate the hydrosphere, biosphere, cryosphere and lithosphere, which together interact through mass, momentum and energy fluxes over a wide range of temporal and special scales. This highly non-linear system migrates across different near-balance states, such as its current state, while the relatively rapid transition processes commonly take several centuries to thousands of years. These transitions are driven by natural processes, such as continental drift, variations in the Earth’s orbital parameters or solar irradiance. Human activities are, nonetheless, disturbing significantly this state of approximate equilibrium, leading to a transition to other states at an unprecedented high speed. The release of large amounts of greenhouse gases, and changes in land cover and use, among other factors, are modifying the climate system's energy balance, contributing to a surplus of the energy captured by the whole system. This energy disequilibrium feeds remarkable alterations in many patterns and regimes of the Climate System’s processes. Although spatially and temporally heterogeneous, global warming is the most evident symptom of this. However, climate change is also being manifested by changes in many other climatic variables, such as precipitation, humidity, wind, radiation and cloudiness. These changes are not only reflected by shifts in their central tendency values but also through changes in their variability ranges, implying more extreme values when using recent past climates as a baseline. Therefore, climate change is threatening the environment and a wide spectrum of socioeconomic sectors, namely agriculture. It heavily relies on crops that are closely controlled by weather and climate.

Measuring perception of air quality environment in a classroom

Francisco Carvalho* (1,2); Cristina Andrade (1,3,4); Rui Gonçalves (1)
(1) Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Natural Hazards Research Center (NHRC.ipt), Quinta do Contador, Estrada da Serra, 2300-313 Tomar, Portugal
(2) Center for Mathematics and Applications (NOVA Math), NOVA FCT, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
(3) Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
(4) Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agrifood Production, Inov4Agro, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal


Abstract
According to recent research, individuals become happier and more productive while they work in pleasant environments. Given that individuals spend more than 90% of their time indoors and that students spend over 30% of their lives in schools, a good level of comfort is vital at higher education institutions (HEI). The indoor air quality (IAQ) of a structure is influenced by several elements, such as biological contaminants, gaseous pollutants, particulate matter (PM), temperature, humidity, ventilation, noise and acoustics, and the quality of light from both natural and artificial sources. Poor IAQ in HEI can affect students' cognitive function and result in symptoms that range from headaches and exhaustion to more serious health problems. Additionally, stress, anxiety, or allergies may be the cause of these symptoms, which can make other respiratory disorders worse.
IAQ impacts teachers' and students' performance and academic accomplishments, as do people's perceived indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and individual demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, previous conditions, and stress. It emphasizes how crucial it is to use inexpensive monitoring systems with Internet of Things (IoT) technology to raise awareness, encourage participation, and promote best practices. A thorough and ongoing data-gathering process is being carried out to achieve this goal since the IAQ in some classrooms is being regularly monitored. A poll of classroom occupants is being conducted to assess how students perceive IEQ, especially in those control rooms. A long-term key objective is to evaluate how various variables might affect their performance and whether there are underlying reasons for their performance can be affected.
Additionally, open lectures and training sessions are held after data collection. These are believed to be extremely relevant to increase awareness for these themes by addressing students' perspectives through engagement and education, as well as by monitoring IEQ using low-cost smart sensors in conjunction with IoT technology. The main goal of this exploratory study is to present the findings from an initial sample gathered at the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar (IPT). Overall, the cross-data analysis with the surveys will provide a first insight into this HEI in these control classrooms.

Acknowledgments: Research funded by National Funds by FCT under the project UIDB/04033/2020 and LA/P/0126/2020. This research was supported by the European Union under the Breath IN Erasmus+ project 2023-1-PT01-KA220_HED-00153118.

Raising awareness among high school students about indoor air quality and well-being issues

Raising awareness among high school students about indoor air quality and well-being issues
Anabela Veiga 1,2, *, João Sousa 1,3,* , Sandra Mourato 1,4
1School of Technology and Management, Campus 2, Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria -Portugal
2CGEO – Geosciences Center, University of Coimbra, Portugal
3INESC Coimbra, DEEC, Polo II, University of Coimbra, Portugal
4MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Universidade de Évora, Polo da Mitra, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
*e-mail: anabela.veiga@ipleiria.pt ; jcsousa@ipleiria.pt


Abstract
The present work aims at identifying strategies to engage young students belonging to local high schools in issues directly related to indoor air quality and well-being. The motivation is to extend the approach further than only university and polytechnic students, to ensure that even younger students are involved in Breath In Project, but also to disseminate the project potential beyond the scope of higher education institutions. It is hoped that this strategy will allow different approaches to tackling this challenge, with the identification of good practices recurring from open-minded discussions and involving young people as ambassadors for a new wave of involved and desirably well-prepared generation.
To pursue this goal, four different local high schools are already identified and the workplan intends to involve two different schools in each Breath In Project’s remaining academic years. This mission involves the high school teachers, with a strong concern to match the syllabus associated with different subjects and promoting multidisciplinary tasks. The subjects more related with the Project fields of research are:
- Maths: due to expected data organization and statistics involved;
- Physics and Chemistry - related with Energy, Electromagnetic waves, Chemical Reactions;
- Biology and Geology - when microbiology analysis take place.
During this cooperation, several steps are scheduled, and the process starts with the identification of different places (classrooms, laboratories or libraries) where the measurements will take place. For each room, a characterization sheet must be filled to gather information about the area, occupancy level, orientation, windows and air renovation habits.
Afterwards, the project will be formally presented to the students (in cooperation with their lecturers), describing the parameters to be measured, highlighting their pertinence and presenting the reference levels to be followed according to the Legislation.
The air quality sensors will be then installed in the selected spaces, combined with spot illuminance measurements (using a luxmeter) for different day/time conditions and air samples collection to microbiological analysis.
During the classes, the proposal is to stimulate students to analyse the measured records, promoting the non-conforming patterns identification and the suggestion of corrective measures. It is expected the involvement of at about 100 students (the cumulative result from the 4 high schools), belonging to the first and last school years in high schools and in a range between 15 and 18 years old. This initiative is expected to contribute to more awareness to the topic, allowing students to develop their skills in teamwork and in presenting their outcomes.

Acknowledgments: The authors acknowledge the High Schools Boards and lecturers for allowed and helped in promoting this initiative.
This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the project grants UIDB/00073/2020 and UIDB/00308/2020 (with the DOI 10.54499/UIDB/00308/2020).

Climate change: The impact of thermal stress on public health

Kyriaki Psistaki* (1); Stavros Stathopoulos (2); Anastasia Paschalidou (1)

(1) Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, Orestiada, Greece
(2) Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution and Pollution Control Engineering of Atmospheric Pollutants, Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi, Greece

Climate change is one of the most serious problems that the world nowadays faces, negatively affecting nearly all aspects of life. According to projections, the global mean temperature is expected to continuously increase until the end of the century. In addition, the duration, intensity and frequency of heatwaves will steadily increase, while cold spells will not be eliminated. As a consequence, and considering that human health is inextricably linked to the quality of life, well-being and economic growth, there is an intense scientific interest in the relationship between ambient temperatures and public health.
There is an optimal temperature or temperature range at which the population feels comfortable. However, when thermal stress exceeds human tolerance limits, the thermoregulatory system’s function is affected, triggering various physiological mechanisms that may cause adverse health effects. Exposure to both low and high temperatures has been linked to increased morbidity and/or mortality from a wide range of causes, with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases being the most prevalent. Population vulnerability to non-optimum temperatures depends on several factors, including the latitude, as well as the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the population. The elderly, young children and pregnant women, likely due to their reduced ability of thermoregulation, are among the most susceptible groups of population. Additionally, chronic medical conditions and low socioeconomic status have been identified as risk factors. Interestingly, the relationship between temperature and mortality is nonlinear, usually being represented by a “U”, “V” or “J” curve. Furthermore, the impact of thermal stress is not always immediate, particularly in the case of cold temperatures.
The objective of this study is to explore the impact of ambient temperatures on mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in a sub-region of the Mediterranean basin located in the northeastern part of Greece, the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Prefecture (EMT). It is noteworthy that the Mediterranean region is considered a climate change hot spot, and EMT is a region of particular interest due to the economic challenges faced by a large portion of its population, as well as evidence suggesting maladaptation to extreme temperatures.

The impact of the 2024 September wildfires in Central Portugal in Tomar outdoor air quality

Cristina Andrade (1,2,3)

(1) Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, Natural Hazards Research Center (NHRC.ipt), Quinta do Contador, Estrada da Serra, 2300-313 Tomar, Portugal
(2) Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
(3) Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agrifood Production, Inov4Agro, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal

The 17th of September 2024 was the day in this month with the most rural fires in Portugal, 451 ignitions were reported around Aveiro regions in northern central mainland Portugal. A combination of unfavorable meteorological conditions, such as high temperatures and strong winds, which increased the risk of fires and made it more difficult to control and fight them, was responsible for this notable increase in occurrences.
The circumstances in October came after a crucial time in September when comparable circumstances led to several significant fires in central and northern areas of mainland Portugal. The municipalities of Águeda, Albergaria-a-Velha, Oliveira de Azeméis, and Sever do Vouga were severely impacted by the September 2024 fires in the Aveiro region, which began about October 11. Strong winds and dry conditions exacerbated these flames, which caused at least four fatalities and dozens of injuries, some of which were life-threatening. To safeguard the public and make it easier for the 1,600 firefighting trucks and more than 5,000 firefighters who were mobilized in the area to do their jobs; several highways, including the A1 and A25 motorways, were temporarily blocked.
Air quality is greatly impacted by wildfires, not only outdoors but as well as indoors. This is mostly because several particles (PM2.5 and PM10) and polluting gases (Carbon monoxide, CO and Ozone, O3) are released, and they can travel great distances. Since wildfires generate small particles, they impact outdoor air quality and thus promote health problems since they deeply enter the respiratory system. PM2.5 (particles smaller than 10 micrometers) are particularly harmful since they enter the lung alveoli. Burning plant materials releases volatile organic compounds or VOCs. In addition to being ozone precursors thus contributing to more pollution, these substances can irritate the respiratory system, eyes, and throat.
A high concentration of pollutants can occur indoors even when windows and doors are closed because ventilation systems and tiny gaps allow fine particles and gases to enter houses and buildings. The significant influence on Tomar's outdoor air quality on October 17th emphasizes how relevant it is to monitor air quality indices to make informed decisions, such as avoiding physical activity outside and using air purifiers, especially those with HEPA filters in indoor environments. In conclusion, wildfires deeply impact air quality, exacerbating cardiovascular and respiratory disorders and jeopardizing human health. Breath IN project by being proactive and monitoring outdoor and indoor air quality, aims to mitigate these impacts in the surroundings that are covered by this monitoring program.
Acknowledgments: Research funded by National Funds by FCT under the project UIDB/04033/2020 and LA/P/0126/2020. This research was supported by the European Union under the Breath IN Erasmus+ project 2023-1-PT01-KA220_HED-00153118.

Keynote Speaker - Margarida Belo-Pereira (IPMA, PT)

Margarida Belo-Pereira completed her MSc in Geophysical Sciences, specialization in Meteorology at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (FCUL) in 2000 and a BSc in Geophysical Sciences, specialization in Meteorology/Oceanography at FCUL in 1997. Margarida Belo Pereira completed her PhD in Atmospheric Physics at IUT Paul Sabatier (France) and Physics at the University of Évora, under a Cotutelle Agreement, in May 2006.

She collaborated with international partners in the ALADIN consortium to improve weather forecast models. She coordinated the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) team in the NEW European Wind Atlas (NEWA) project, includes the Perdigao-2017 field campaign, the largest of the NEWA campaigns. In this framework, she collaborated in the weather balloon launch program and coordinated the IPMA team of meteorologists in the preparation of customized daily weather briefings for the campaign.

Currently, she is a researcher at the IPMA's Aeronautical Meteorology Division. Her main scientific interests are windstorms; thunderstorms; tornadoes; downbursts; fog, aviation turbulence and aircraft icing. In addition, she develops algorithms based on Numerical Weather Prediction models, focusing on improving forecasts of Aviation Weather Hazards.

She is responsible for the operational implementation of these products in the Portuguese Meteorological Watch Office and for training aviation meteorologists on the developed products. She is also the author or co-author of more than 25 articles in peer-reviewed journals and a book chapter. She also supervised several students in collaboration with universities.

CV: https://www.cienciavitae.pt//pt/2A11-0355-84E7

Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6609-1548

Keynote Speaker - João A. Santos (UTAD/CITAB, PT)

Cristina Andrade (IPT, PT)

Main Researcher of the project from the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar Cristina Andrade holds a BS.c. in Geographical Engineering, an MSc in Geophysics, a specialization in Meteorology, a second MS.c. in Mathematics, a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, a specialization in large-scale dynamics of the atmosphere, and a post-doc in Physics. She has taught at the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar (IPT) since 1998. Currently, she lectures in the Mathematics and Physics Department, she is the founder and has been the Director of the Natural Hazards Research Center (NHRC.ipt) since 2014. Her research areas are natural hazards, extreme events, geostatistical approaches in meteorology and climatology, and climate change impacts on the environment, water resources, and land use. She has published several research papers in peer-reviewed journals, editor of 4 books, guest editor of 4 SI, and was the Principal Investigator of an FCT-funded project (CLIMRisk, SAICT-POL/24253/2016). She has supervised several undergraduate and master dissertations. She is an integrated member of the Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, a member of the European Geosciences Union, and an Associate Editor of the Physics and Chemistry of the Earth (Elsevier).

Francisco Carvalho (IPT, PT)

Francisco Carvalho, holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics, with research activities related to Statistics. Started his teaching career in 1995 as an Invited Assistant, holding the Adjunct Professor position since 2000 at the Business School of IPT. Among other disciplines, he taught market studies. Author of several research papers and book chapters, member and chair of several organization committees of international conferences (scientific committee of the International Workshop on Matrices and Statistics), held in several countries. He’s a member of the NOVA Math Research Center. For the last 8 years, he’s been Director of the Management School of IPT, among other administrative positions, related to the Director position.

Souzana Achilleos (UNIC, CY)

Stavros Stathopoulos (DUTH, GR)

Dr. Stavros Stathopoulos received his B.Sc. in Environmental Engineering (specializing in Atmosphere, Energy, and Climate Change) from the Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace in 2011. In 2013, he received his MSc in Environmental Engineering and Science (specializing in Atmospheric Pollution and Anti-pollution Technology) from the same Department. In 2021, he received his PhD from the Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution and Pollution Control Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace. His PhD research focused on the influence of large urban agglomerations on aerosols and clouds with the use of Global Climate Models (GCMs) and remote sensing observations. He has been involved in numerous national and European research programs. He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Democritus University of Thrace, where he is developing machine learning and statistical methods in order to downscale remote sensing data.

Kyriaki Psistaki (DUTH, GR)

Dr Kyriaki Psistaki holds a degree in Physics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, a M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering and Science from the Democritus University of Thrace, and a Ph.D. in biometeorology and environmental epidemiology from the Democritus University of Thrace. Her research focuses on the impact of weather, climate, and air pollution on public health. She has participated in 4 research projects and numerous national/international conferences.

Anabela Veiga (IPLeiria, PT)

Anabela Veiga is a professor at the Department of Civil Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, where she teaches various subjects in the fields of engineering geology and soil mechanics. She holds a Ph.D. in geological engineering from the University of Coimbra, an MSc in geosciences and land management from the University of Coimbra, and a first degree in geology from the University of Coimbra. She is a researcher at the Geosciences Center (CGEO) of the University of Coimbra, in the cluster of Geotechnology. Her research interests focus on solving problems related to the geological environment, geotechnics, and the availability of resources for sustainable development. She has published more than 40 papers in conferences and peer-reviewed journals.

André Fonseca (IPleiria, PT)

André Fonseca, natural de Marrazes, é um produto dos saudosos anos 80. A sua formação inclui uma licenciatura em Engenharia do Ambiente pelo Politécnico de Leiria e Mestrado em Hidráulica, Recursos Hídricos e Ambiente pela Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra. 

Exerce funções na Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão do Politécnico de Leiria como técnico superior afeto aos laboratórios de biociências e tratamento de águas. É formador do Projeto de Compostagem Doméstica da Valorlis - Valorização e Tratamento de Resíduos Sólidos, S.A.

No seu tempo livre gosta de viajar, escrever poesia, fazer teatro e praticar desporto (pratica atualmente futebol, corrida de montanha e já completou 3 maratonas de estrada).

João Sousa (IPleiria, PT)

João Sousa holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Coimbra and is a Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering - Polytechnic of Leiria. He is researcher at INESC Coimbra, in the field of Rational Use of Energy & Power Systems Planning. His main research interest is the use of artificial intelligence in Energy Systems Planning, being involved in research projects and supervision of works related with load forecasting, load profiling, machine learning , energy efficiency in buildings and smart meter data analytics.